A Slow Wagon On Erev Shabbos

Once the two Tzaddikim, R' Yaacov Yosef of Polonye, the "Toldos", and Reb Nachman of Horodenka, were travelling to Mezhibuzh to spend Shabbos with their Rebbe, the Ba'al ShemTov. It was Friday, and they set out from Polnoye with their horse and wagon in time to arrive in Mezhibuzh by midday.

They hadn't even travelled half the distance, when they saw ahead of them a broad regal carriage, trimmed with gold and ivory, and drawn by four white horses. Obviously it was the carriage a wealthy and important individual. It was making its way along the road leisurely, as if Shabbos wasn't to be expected later in the day. Passing was impossible at this time of year due to the mountainous snowdrifts piled high along the both sides of the road. They had no choice but to slow down and to follow along behind.

The "Toldos" became very agitated and began to bewail the situation, predicting that they would surely have to profane the Shabbos if they wanted to spend Shabbos in Mezhibuzh. Reb Nachman however, kept calm, reminding his companion that everything would be okay, that all that Hashem does is for the best. Moreover, as disciples of the Baal ShemTov, they had learned that Hashem guides everything that occurs in the world, and therefore their situation was certainly Hashem's hand at work.

Less than an hour passed before they had to come to a complete halt. Spread out on the road ahead as far as the eye could see was a company of Russian soldiers, and they were marching at pace that confirmed that their job this morning was to compact the mud of the road with their feet.

Now the "Toldos" became doubly agitated, not knowing who to lash out against first. But Reb Nachman assured him that everything in Hashem's plans are for the ultimate good.

The commander of the company, seeing the regal looking coach coming his way, obviously recognized that a personage of some importance was inside and gave orders for the entire company to thin out and make passage for the dignitary and his "entourage". In moments the two Tzaddikim, following close behind the carriage of the dignitary, were beyond the sea of soldiers, continuing on the road to Mezhibuzh.

Not more than a few more minutes passed until they came to a fork in the road. The dignitary in his coach went one direction, the Toldos and Reb Nachman the other. Regaining speed, they arrived in Mezhibuzh with ample time to prepare for Shabbos.

How R' Yakov Yosef Became a Chosid Of The Baal Shem Tov

There are numerous stories describing why the great Rabbi Yaakov Yosef from Polanya renounced his initial opposition to Chasidism and became an ardent follower of the Baal Shem Tov. The following story is considered by some to be the most accurate account:

Early one morning, the Baal Shem Tov arrived at the marketplace in the town of Sharigrade, where Rabbi Yaakov Yosef served as the Rabbi, and began talking to the passersby. Soon his heartfelt words and inspiring stories attracted a sizeable crowd. Many of his listeners had been on their way to the synagogue for the morning services and stopped to hear him instead.

One can imagine Rabbi Yaakov Yosef's displeasure upon arriving at the synagogue only to find it empty, except for the shammas (attendant).

"Where are all the people?" he demanded to know.

"Honored Rabbi," replied the shammas. "A distinguished-looking Jew is telling stories in the marketplace and many people have congregated around him."

"Well, please go tell them to come to the synagogue immediately so we may proceed with services as usual," the Rabbi ordered.

The shammas went to summon the people, but instead found himself among those captivated by the newcomer's tales.

"I'll go there and call them myself," decided Rabbi Yaakov Yosef when the shammas failed to return.

Rabbi Yaakov Yosef neared the crowd just as the Baal Shem Tov had begun a new story and found himself listening with interest:

"There was once a simple porter who always began his day at dawn, participating in the early minyan for Tehilim (Psalms) and Shacharit (the morning service). After praying, he would toil for many long hours, finishing shortly before sunset. Despite his exhaustion, the porter would always rush to the synagogue for the Mincha (afternoon) services. He was careful never to miss the minyan and would stay on through Ma'ariv (the evening service) to join a study group for the simple laborers, appropriate to their limited knowledge and understanding of Torah.

"The porter lived next door to a self-employed, learned scholar who led a much more comfortable life. The scholar did not have to rush to services, since his occupation afforded him both leisure and peace of mind. His prayers were always preceded and followed by an hour or so of concentrated study.

"One evening, the two neighbors met on their way home. The simple porter heaved a deep sigh in envy of the scholar whose prayers and learning far surpassed his own.

"Hearing the sigh, the scholar smiled to himself, thinking, 'How dare he aspire to my level of service!'

"Years later both neighbors passed away. Upon his arrival at the Hevenly Court, the scholar's prayers and Torah study were placed on one side of the scales, and they weighed heavily in justification of his devout service. Then, an unpleasant smile was placed on the other side and the balance of the scales was tipped against him.

"In contrast, the porter's limited amount of study and prayers weighed lightly until his heartfelt sigh was added to them. Then, the scales tipped easily in his favor."

Rabbi Yaakov Yosef began to consider his own service and realized that it too was tinged with self-concern. Perhaps, he thought to himself, this story-teller could show him a new path of service.

From From My Father's Shabbos Table by Rabbi Yehudah Chitrik

The Maggid of Ostrow had passed away and Rabbi Yaakov Yosef, the Rav of Polonya, also known as the "Toldos," arrived to apply for the position. Although Reb Yaivi, the young son of the late rav accompanied him as he made his petition to the city elders, his application was, nonetheless, refused.

In spite of the negative outcome of the interview, Reb Yaivi invited the scholar home where a feast had been laid out in the guest's honor. When the meal had ended and the young man was accompanying the Toldos on his way, the older scholar remarked with a bitter irony, "And so, does Ostrow still exist!?"

Reb Yaivi looked at this distinguished guest and replied, "Are you saying that because you were not chosen to be the new rav of the city? Perhaps you heard a heavenly decree saying, 'Yosef is the ruler over the land' and you thought it referred to you, but you see, my name is also Yosef!"

"Is that so?" asked the Toldos. "In that case, it is my mistake, and obviously it is appropriate that you assume your father's position. I am going to request that the city fathers invest you as rav of the city immediately."

His word was swiftly enacted, and Reb Yaivi became the new rav of the city of Ostrow with the blessings of the Rav of Polonya. As soon as the Toldos returned to his home, he sent Reb Yaivi a beautiful crystal goblet as a gift.

Reb Yaivi treasured the goblet and used it to make kiddush for many years. One year, just before Simchat Torah, a bird flew in through the window and alighted on Reb Yaivi's goblet and it cracked. Reb Yaivi evinced no particular emotion over the loss, but later that night, he sent for his attendant and said, "Find me someone going to Berdichev after the holiday ends."

At the end of the Yom Tov, a young Chasid appeared in the rav's room ready to follow his instructions. "On your way to Berdichev, I want you to stop in Polnoya and tell the rav very clearly and in these exact words that the crystal goblet broke. Promise me you will do as I ask you."

The Chasid promised and then he boarded his coach and asked the driver to tell him when they reached Polonya. The Chasid promptly fell asleep. When he awakened they had passed Polonya.

"Didn't I ask you to wake me up?" cried the Chasid.

"Well, no matter now, it's too late. Just relax, mister, the next stop is Berdichev."

"What! That's impossible! I had urgent business in Polonya. You must turn around at once!"

But the driver was adamant and when the Chasid saw that no amount of pleading would budge him, he jumped out of the moving carriage. Catching his breath, he turned and began the trek back to Polonya. There he was met by a large crowd of men and women weeping and reciting Psalms.

The rav of the town was near death, but the Chasid only knew that he had a mission -- to relay his rav's message. But how could he gain entry to the room? Suddenly he got an idea. "I have a medicine for the Rav!" he shouted at the top of his lungs.

At once, the crowd parted and he entered the sick room. "Rav Yaivi sent you regards and asked me tell you that the crystal goblet has broken."

The rav lifted his feverish eyes. "The cup is broken? Thank G-d."

Immediately the fever subsided and within a few days, the Toldos had completely recovered.

Another Simchat Torah came and this time the Toldos was lying on his deathbed. Thoughts flew through his mind. He recalled the enigmatic words of his master, the Baal Shem Tov so many years before. "You will leave this world on Simchat Torah, but first you will lose your position as rav."

"How could that happen," he wondered at the time. One year he had been very ill, but when he had heard that the crystal goblet had broken, he knew that was a sign of reprieve.

Then the prophetic words were realized, and in such a strange way.

It was Simchat Torah and he was looking out of his window when a gang of drunkards happened to pass by. What a way to "celebrate" the holy day, thought the Toldos to himself, and he cried out to them: "What do you have to celebrate anyway? Have you spent the whole year immersed in Torah study?"

But one responded, "But you have surely studied Torah all year. And if my brother makes a wedding, am I not entitled to dance as well?"

The rav had to answer, "You are correct."

To which the man replied, "Aha! So I am right! Well, if that's the case, you don't deserve to be rav and I hereby depose you!"

The Toldos was shocked. What a chutzpa to speak to him that way! But soon he became thoughtful, for hadn't this lout just pronounced his death? And as the Baal Shem Tov had spoken, the Toldos left this world together with the Yom Tov and was mourned by his entire congregation.

R' Yaakov Yosef of Polonnoye & the governor

The wedding took place amidst great rejoicing, and the young couple was the picture of happiness. Yet, not long after they were married, the bride began to suspect that something was not right. Her husband would wake at midnight to recite the prayers in mourning of the destruction of the Holy Temple. Every day at the crack of dawn, he would immerse himself in the mikva. And in addition to these strange practices, he had a certain book he loved to read which he kept hidden under his pillow.

The young bride, disquieted by her husband's unusual devotions, described them to her father, who decided to investigate personally. Entering the bedroom, he lifted up the pillow; the shock of his discovery was worse than anything he had imagined. His son-in-law was studying the book Toldot Yaakov Yosef written by one of the leaders of the Chasidim of the Baal Shem Tov!

The father-in-law was determined to dissuade the young man from pursuing this ruinous alliance with Chasidism. He tried every approach, but to no avail. Finally, when he saw that the young fellow couldn't be budged, the distraught father insisted on a divorce. But this extreme reaction was vetoed by both the husband and wife, who were, in all other respects, quite happy.

What could be done? At his wits end, the father sought advice from his friends in the small town, all confirmed opponents of the new "sect." The suggestions brought forth were many, but in the end there was more smoke than fire-the resolution to the problem eluded them all. The debate not only continued, but became, in fact, so bitter and angry, that news of it reached the ears of the governor of the region, a retired army officer. Curious about the cause of the great brouhaha, the governor's interest intensified when he heard that it was all because of a book. It was explained to him that the book in question was authored by one Yaakov Yosef of Polonnoye, a man who led his co-religionists "astray" by his erroneous teachings. The governor went so far as to procure the said book and check the authorship, as this information was also printed in the Russian language. Having satisfied himself, he summoned the whole group of disputants and their fellow-travelers to appear before him.

"The time has come," he said, "for me to tell of events which took place one spring many years ago when I was serving as a colonel in the Polonnoye district. It happened that my unit had orders to move out, and so, the customary roll call was taken, only to discover that three soldiers were missing. I sent two others to the adjacent town to find them and bring them back. But they returned without their lost comrades, telling a most incredible story. The missing men were discovered inside the candle-lit home of an aged rabbi, standing like wax statues, unable to speak or move. I found it impossible to believe such a tale, so I dispatched another detail of men; but they returned with the same story. The only thing left to do was to go myself, and that is what I did.

"Entering the house, I saw an old man with the angelic appearance of a saint. When I dared, I addressed him, 'Forgive me for interrupting; I see you are a holy man. But these soldiers must leave with their unit today. Please allow them to leave your house.' The old rabbi replied, saying, that these men must have stolen something. If they replaced the items, they will be free to depart. Sure enough, we discovered all manner of silver vessels secreted in their greatcoats. We removed them and they were freed."

These events occurred on the first night of Passover at the home of Rabbi Yaakov Yosef. The roaming soldiers had entered the unlocked house, helped themselves to the remaining holiday food, and then also the silver vessels. They were undeterred by the presence of the old man who, in any case, seemed to be asleep. But when they tried to leave, they found themselves rooted to the floor and struck dumb.

The governor continued, "But when I saw this miracle, I requested from the rabbi his blessing for long life. When I asked him exactly how long I would live, he declined to say, replying that this is known only by G-d. All he would say is that a time would come when I would be required to relate this story to a group of Jews who did not know him. This would be a sign that my days were ending. Now, I see the truth of his words, but thanks to him, I have been able to bring this matter to a happy conclusion.

The young couple lived out their days in peace, and the governor was soon brought to his final rest.