How The Mitteler Rebbe Became a Chosid

Reb Dov Ber of Lubavitch was the son and successor of Rabbi Shneur Zalman, founder of Chabad chasidism. One time, while still a young man, Reb Dov Ber met one of the chasidim of his father during a visit to Janowitz. The young chasid was a peer of Reb Dov Ber's and they began a discussion on various matters relating to Torah and a Jew's G-dly service. During the conversation, Reb Dov Ber made light of his friend's accomplishments in Torah study and prayer.

The chasid was upset by Reb Dov Ber's words and replied: "How can you make such statements? Are you comparing yourself to me? Who is your father, and who is mine? Your father is our Rebbe, and everyone knows what spiritual level he is at. When it was time to bring a soul down to This World, no doubt he and your mother brought down a pure and lofty soul. Then as you were growing up, your family watched you carefully to make sure that not only no physical harm befell you, but also that no spiritual harm would befall you. You were given the best possible Jewish education and you were always surrounded by people of exemplary character and religiousity. So, what kind of impressive achievement is it that you are meticulous in the observance of mitzvot (commandments), that you relish Torah study, that your soul desires to cleave to its Maker during prayer?

"But me - my soul was probably arbitrarily swiped from the storehouse of souls up there. After I was born, I grew up like any other Jewish child, with as much supervision as my parents could offer while they were both involved in trying to put food on the table. Of course, I studied in the local cheder, but my playmates and comrades were just regular children like myself.

"And now, how do I make a living? I give the local peasants the capital they need to buy grain during the sowing season. But that is not the difficult part of my job, for the hard work is in the winter. During the winter I have to collect my debts. There's a whole procedure to follow in order to do this properly! I have to bring a bottle of vodka with me on these ventures. Of course, I have to travel at night, since in the winter the peasants get up while it's still dark outside. When I finally get to the first peasant's home I have to make a little 'l'chaim' with him, and his wife, too! Without that he won't even begin to talk business with me.

"I settle the accounts with him and then I move on to the next house. There, too, I must have a 'friendly' drink before they will let me discuss business. This goes on at the next house and at the next, until I've collected from three or four people. At this point it's light outside. I head home, immerse in the mikva (ritualarium) as does every chasid, and say my morning prayers with the congregation. So you can imagine what kind of praying one can muster following a 'morning' like that. After that, I grab a few precious moments for Torah study before I have to go back out and deal with the local peasants once more."

In truth, this chasid who had just delivered the long soliloquy, prayed with the greatest devotion and concentration and was an impressive Torah scholar. But, since he was a humble person, he underestimated himself considerably.

When the young Reb Dov Ber heard his words he was quite overwhelmed. He returned at once to his father, the Rebbe, related the entire conversation, and bemoaned his own spiritual attainments. It seemed to him that everything he had accomplished until now really wasn't worth anything at all.

The next time the chasid from Janowitz came to Liozna to be with the Rebbe, the Rebbe told him, "I am indeed indebted to you. You have made a chasid of my son, Berl!"