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.

The Two Day Shabbat

The Jewish community of Yanov had barely recovered from its first misfortune when disaster struck a second time.

It had all begun two weeks previously, when the Rabbi of Yanov had set out with a large contingent of local Jews for his daughter's wedding. As the groom's hometown was on the other side of a forest, the wagons would be traveling in a caravan to make sure that no one got lost.

It was almost dark when the convoy stopped to pray the afternoon service. By the time they finished it was early evening, and the sun had already set.

The group was about to proceed when a cry rang out from one of the men. "The Rabbi! Where is the Rabbi?" Immediately, pandemonium broke out among the travelers. They searched all the wagons, but the Rabbi was nowhere to be found. Then someone suggested that perhaps he had wandered off to pray in solitude, and had lost his bearings in the pitch darkness. Anything was possible; the forest was an impenetrable maze at night, without familiar signposts. "Rabbi! Rabbi!" everyone cried at the top of his lungs, but the forest was silent. The Rabbi of Yanov had disappeared.

Terribly worried about their Rabbi's welfare, the Jews consoled themselves with the fact that another person was also missing: Reb Ozer, the wealthiest member of their contingent, was the only individual who had been traveling in a private carriage. "He probably hurried off as soon as we finished praying, and took the Rabbi with him," they reassured each other. "He must have wanted to reach the village before it was completely dark." Everyone clung to this tiny thread of hope as the only possible explanation.

Unfortunately, their bubble burst as soon as they arrived in town. Reb Ozer had indeed gone on ahead without the others, but he was alone, and had no idea where the Rabbi was.

With no other choice the wedding was held without the bride's father. The affair was relatively joyless, as everyone was preoccupied with the Rabbi's fate.

The Rabbi was missing for three whole days. On the fourth day, however, he walked into town, exhausted and hungry almost beyond endurance. It turned out that the travelers' first assumption had been correct: Wishing to concentrate on his prayers, the Rabbi had sought out a quiet place away from the caravan and had lost his bearings. For three days and nights he had subsisted on wild fruits and berries, avoiding the wild animals that roamed the forest. Indeed, it was a miracle that he had been able to find his way back to civilization.

Needless to say, the joy of the Jews of Yanov was beyond description. But their relief was only short-lived, as they realized that they now faced an entirely different problem: That Thursday afternoon, the Rabbi began to berate his family for not getting ready for Shabbat. Despite their protestations that it was only Thursday, he insisted that it was Friday, and that Shabbat would begin in a matter of hours. With mounting horror they realized that the Rabbi had lost track of time during his sojourn through the forest. He had lost a day, and could not be dissuaded.

The news quickly spread throughout the town, and it was decided to play along for the time being. A minyan was assembled so that the Rabbi could pray, after which he recited Kiddush. It was obvious that the situation couldn't continue for long, but no one had any idea what to do.

When the news reached the famous Reb Shmelke of Nicholsburg he jumped into action. A close personal friend of the Rabbi of Yanov, he decided to pay him a surprise visit.

The following Thursday, when Reb Shmelke suggested that they get ready to greet the Sabbath Queen, the Rabbi smiled broadly. Finally, here was someone who agreed with his own reckoning! As dusk fell Reb Shmelke donned his Shabbat clothes and sat down with his friend at the Shabbat table. "I've brought you something special," he told him, producing a bottle of rare aged wine and an elaborate Kiddush cup. "Consider it a gift, to celebrate your salvation." The Rabbi made Kiddush and drank most of the goblet's contents.

Throughout the meal Reb Shmelke kept refilling the Rabbi's cup, encouraging him to rejoice. The wine was so strong, however, that the Rabbi soon fell into a deep sleep. Reb Shmelke placed a pillow under his head, and instructed everyone to leave the room. For 24 hours he made sure that no one made any noise or disturbed him.

The next evening he called everyone back and told them to take the same seats they had occupied night before. Reb Shmelke then made Kiddush, and the Shabbat meal commenced.

Around midnight, Reb Shmelke tapped the Rabbi on the shoulder and roused him from his slumber. "Wake up, my friend," he said. "It's time to recite the Grace After Meals."

A Leson In Keeping Shabbos

Once a Jewish peasant came to ask for a blessing from Rabbi Chaim of Chernowitz. The rabbi was about to give his blessing, but paused and asked the man, "Tell me, do you keep Shabbat?"

The farmer averted his eyes and did not reply, but the rabbi continued speaking. "Perhaps you don't understand the true sanctity of Shabbat. Let me explain: All week you toil with farm animals and till the earth. You work until you're so exhausted that you fall into your bed. What connection do you have with the spiritual? On the Shabbat, every Jew receives an additional soul, one which is completely pure and refined. He rests his weary body, forgets his struggle of the preceding week and devotes his thoughts to G-d. A person who lives without the Shabbat has a life of work which never ends."

The peasant listened to the rabbi's words and they struck a deep chord within his heart. He burst into tears at the thought of all he was missing in life. "Rabbi, I see now how right you are. But perhaps I haven't explained the whole reason why I don't observe Shabbat completely as I should. You see, I rent my farm from a poretz (landlord) who requires me to produce enough food for his family as well as my own. Now that you have explained the importance of Shabbat, I will try my best to keep it completely. Just during the harvest I won't be able to."

Rabbi Chaim gently asked the farmer why he was so certain that he would not be able to keep Shabbat during the harvest.

"Rabbi, during the harvest I don't have even one minute to spare, and I can't take such a long break."

Rabbi Chaim smiled and said, "Let me tell you a story: A long time ago, a local landowner invited his friends to a celebration. When they were all seated around the table, and had all drunk much too much, they began to brag about their Jewish employees. 'My Jewish tenant is unique. He's as loyal as a good hunting dog,' said one. Another countered, 'He can't be as loyal as my Jewish tenant. He's absolutely the best!'

"Then the host spoke up. 'You may all have very remarkable tenants, but my Jew is unquestionably the most loyal. Why, he would do anything I asked without hesitation. You know, if I asked him to just convert to our religion, he would do it in a minute.'

"The others began to speak at once. 'That would never happen. A Jew, no matter how loyal, would never convert because he was asked to do so by his employer!' they all contended.

"'I see you don't believe me. I will prove it to you! Send for Moshke!' the poretz barked to his servant.

"The Jewish tenant was soon standing in front of his landlord and all the drunken guests. 'Moshke,' began the poretz, 'would you do anything I requested of you?'

"The frightened Jew didn't know what was about to happen. He just hoped to avoid trouble, and so he nodded his head and replied, 'Yes, sir, I certainly would obey you.'

"'Moshke, I want you to become a Christian right now!'

"The Jew was shocked at the request, but he was too frightened to refuse. He needed a livelihood and his family needed a roof over their heads. As soon as he nodded his head a servant was dispatched to bring the priest. Before he could think about what he was doing, the Jew was baptized.

"When the poretz came out of his drunken haze, he remembered what he had done to his Jewish tenant and he regretted it very much. He apologized, 'Moshke, I was drunk and I didn't mean to offend you. Of course, you may become a Jew once again! '

"The poretz was shocked at Moshke's reaction to his words. He didn't express his relief or gratitude. In fact, he was none too anxious to resume his former religion.

"'Thank you for your offer, but soon the Jewish holiday of Passover will be celebrated. It is a very costly holiday. So, I was wondering, would you mind if I put off changing back until after the holiday?' "

Rabbi Chaim looked penetratingly at the farmer and asked, "Do you know that the Torah states, 'Six days shall you work and on the seventh you shall rest. At the time of plowing and harvesting you shall rest.' Doesn't it seem strange that the Torah adds the words 'at plowing and harvesting' when it says that Shabbat must be observed on a weekly basis? Why is it necessary to mention plowing and harvesting in particular?

"The reason is to teach us that even at the most demanding times of the year, when it seems impossible to keep Shabbat, even then, we are commanded to observe the holy Shabbat."

Rabbi Chaim continued. "Our Sages explain that the laws of Shabbat were taught when the Jews camped near the waters of Mara. Mara means bitter. From this we learn that even when life appears to be especially hard-bitter - and keeping Shabbat seems to be impossible, a Jew must have faith and must keep it despite the hardship. When he expends all the energy he needs to observe Shabbat, G-d will come to his aid, and he will surely succeed."