[1]

By Rashbatz[2]

From the day that Reb Yitzchak the Tailor became a chassid, he declined to discuss his background. When people asked him about it, he would reply briefly that he was descended from a distinguished family; his paternal grandfather - Reb Meir - had been a prominent gaon in his day, whose mouth never ceased speaking words of Torah. His wife had earned the family income.

All of Reb Meir's sons - except Reb Yitzchak's father - had been prominent rabbis of various communities. Only his father had chosen - at the age of eighteen - to marry the daughter of a G-d-fearing villager. He was supported by his father-in-law in the small village for fifteen years, taking advantage of this time to study Torah constantly. Afterwards, he learned to sew, which was how he earned his living.

In his old age, when his hands and legs grew weak and he could no longer work at his trade, he supported himself from a large garden that the nobleman who owned the city had given him as a gift. Most of the day, however, he spent sitting in the beis hamedrash and studying Torah.

Reb Yitzchak related:

After [my father] married me off, he gave me his house to live in. For himself, he built a three room house: two rooms for his own dwelling, and a third room dedicated as a beis hamedrash. Ten elderly Torah scholars sat there studying together, while he provided their material needs.

My father was opposed to the new path [of avodah] that had begun to spread throughout that region called Chassidus. But to his credit, he took no part in the controversy and feud that broke out at the time.

Once, the gaon Reb Shlomo Raphael's came to visit my father. He was one of the foremost opponents of the new path, and corresponded regularly with the geonim of the Lithuanian communities. He told my father that this new path was spreading with uncommon speed, and there were already numerous followers in the cities of Vilna, Minsk, Shklov, Slutzk, and others. Some followed this path openly, while others did so in secret.

He also related that in Slutzk, there had lived a renowned gaon named Reb Baruch,[3] whom G-d had blessed with great wealth. He had supported numerous Torah scholars, and given charity generously. He had passed away with his reputation intact, but after his passing, it became known that he had been a follower of the new path, and had led several innocent Torah scholars astray.

Reb Shlomo Raphael's demanded that my father sign the ban of excommunication which had been issued against the followers of the new path. Father conceded that the leaders of the Jewish people certainly had an obligation to investigate the matter thoroughly, and to pronounce judgment according to the laws of the Torah.

But as for himself, he had gone into exile forty years earlier, and had met a profound Torah scholar who had been a hidden tzaddik. They had traveled together for three months, and he had witnessed many wondrous deeds. Before they separated, the man told him three things; one of them was: "Never get involved in any sort of controversy."

This was all that Reb Yitzchak the tailor would say to people, when they inquired about his history.[4]

The chassid Reb Yisrael, Reb Yitzchak's eldest son, could relate at length the story of Reb Yitzchak's father. He heard it all from his second cousin, who had known him well.

Reb Yisrael's paternal grandfather Reb Avraham Shmuel was the third son of the gaon and tzaddik Reb Meir, who was the patriarch of our family. He possessed outstanding intellectual abilities, on a par with his two older brothers, and he studied Torah diligently day and night. The two older brothers, who had great aptitude and were giants of Torah, married into important families, the daughters of prominent geonim of the time.

When the period of time that their fathers-in-law had agreed to support them elapsed, they were honored with positions as rabbis of various congregations.

By the time Reb Yisrael's paternal grandfather Reb Avraham Shmuel reached marriageable age, he had earned a reputation as a young genius. People began to suggest to him matches with the daughters of contemporary geonim. But he informed his father Reb Meir that he wished to marry the daughter of a villager who would obligate himself to support him for many years. Thus, he would be able to live in seclusion in a small village, and dedicate himself to Torah study with no distractions.

His relatives considered such a marriage beneath the dignity of their distinguished family, and a great quarrel ensued between them over this. But his father, the tzaddik Reb Meir, took his son's side in the matter, declaring that since his son's intentions were for the sake of Heaven, his actions were also approved.

One of the estates about forty miles from his town was leased by a tenant named Reb Yosef. He was a sincere, honest, and G-d-fearing person, but of the most undistinguished sort. He could read the prayers and chapters of Tehillim only with difficulty, and had no idea at all of what the words meant. G-d had blessed him with sons and daughters, and he had employed a capable melamed to teach them. He gave charity generously, and became famous throughout the vicinity for his philanthropy and hospitality. Nevertheless, everyone knew him as a born commoner.

People called him "Yossel Baruch Hu u'Voruch Sh'mo,"[5] because of his constant habit of dipping his hands in water, or wiping them on his clothes, and then reciting Baruch Hu u'Voruch Sh'mo. Whatever he heard, he responded to it with Amen! When asked why he had said Amen, he would reply that he had heard from a visiting traveler that the Creator (blessed be He) is everywhere, and is always present. Saying Amen implies recognition that G-d is our Faithful King.[6]

Reb Yossel heard that the renowned genius - the youngest son of the gaon and tzaddik Reb Meir - wished to marry the daughter of a simple villager who would support him in his home. He quickly sent his children's melamed to inform Reb Meir that he was ready to undertake the obligation of building a house for his exceptional son, and to provide his sustenance for a period of fifteen years. Reb Meir consulted his son about this prospect, and he agreed to it.

A few days later, Reb Yossel and his family came to Szventzian, and the engagement contract was drawn up amidst great joy. When the designated time arrived, a magnificent wedding was held. Reb Avraham Shmuel left his father's home and became a villager, living in the house that his father-in-law built for him - as they had agreed.

Reb Avraham Shmuel studied Torah with much diligence, and greatly enjoyed the total tranquility that living in a small village afforded. On the other hand, he was distressed by his inability to daven with a minyan. The Jews who lived in the surrounding villages and estates would assemble in his father-in-law's home for public prayer only on Shabbos.

The Jews of the neighboring villages were constantly occupied with their labors: some worked the soil, some raised cattle, some ran mills, some were fishermen, and the like. Their entire day was spent in the company of gentiles. Nevertheless, they were all G-d-fearing Jews, and most of them had once been knowledgeable in the Torah, having studied in cheder or in a yeshivah during their youth. It was only the pressures of making a living that had forced them to abandon their studies, but [due these pressures,] they had subsequently forgotten everything.

When Reb Avraham Shmuel moved into the village, he encouraged these Jews to set aside Shabbos as a day of communal study. Within a few weeks, the spirit of Torah was apparent throughout the vicinity.

Among the inhabitants of the village and nearby settlement there were three very diligent bochurim with outstanding abilities, who had gone to the city to study. When Reb Avraham Shmuel moved to the village, and experienced his great longing to pray with a minyan, he proposed to the bochurim that they return to the village and daven with his minyan. In return, he would teach them Torah.

The bochurim returned home and became regular members of the minyan, which was convened three times a day. Reb Avraham Shmuel kept his promise, studying with them in great depth for several hours daily. After two years passed, the village began to grow. New families settled there, and they built a shul where two or three minyonim met three times a day to daven.

Reb Avraham Shmuel's father-in-law set up a turpentine distillery in the forest, about a mile from the village. There, he built a small house for his daughter and son-in-law, who preferred living away from the noise of the village. Reb Avraham Shmuel would walk to the shul three times a day to daven.

For fifteen years, Reb Avraham Shmuel sat studying Torah in holiness and purity. He avoided all unnecessary speech, except for extremely brief remarks in cases of great urgency.

During these years, numerous Torah students, scholars, and geonim passed through the village. All were astounded by Reb Avraham Shmuel's great stature, the breadth and depth of his knowledge, his righteousness, and his sincerity. His name became well known, and several congregations invited him to serve them as rabbi. But he would not hear of it.

Before the fifteen-year period during which his father-in-law had agreed to support him expired, Reb Avraham Shmuel informed him that he wished to learn a trade by which he might earn his living. For this purpose he had chosen the trade of stitching sacks.

Hearing this, the father-in-law became very upset, and begged him to allow him to continue supporting him. G-d had blessed him with great wealth, and he would be delighted to continue supporting him in his home. But Reb Avraham Shmuel absolutely refused to accept this proposal, insisting that he wished to support himself by the labor of his own hands.

He taught himself to sew, and he and his wife sewed grain and flour sacks, earning an ample income from this trade. While he sewed, Reb Avraham Shmuel reviewed his study of Gemara-Rashi-Tosafos by heart. He did this as fluently as if he were reading it from the text.

When a year passed since he had begun to earn money, he made an exact accounting of his profit, after expenses were deducted. He then set aside one tenth of this amount [for charity] with great joy.

They continued living there for three years; in the fourth year they decided to move to Szventzian, the city of Reb Avraham Shmuel's birth. They purchased a small cottage with much surrounding land, where they planted vegetables; his wife had learned to do this as a little girl.

They quickly discovered that sack-stitching was not in great demand in Szventzian, and so Reb Avraham Shmuel learned to be a tailor.

During the twenty years that Reb Avraham Shmuel was away from his hometown, his relatives and friends forgot all about him. The older generation had passed away, and the younger ones had simply forgotten. Some of them had never even known that they had a relative or family acquaintance named Avraham Shmuel, who was the youngest son of the pride of their family, Reb Meir.

Reb Avraham Shmuel, of course, continued to pretend that he was a very simple person, as he worked his trade. Nevertheless, as time passed, people became aware that - beyond his great righteousness and outstanding sincerity - he was an eminent Torah scholar, while his wife excelled in philanthropy and hospitality.

In Szventzian there lived a man named Reb Moshe Gedaliah, who was versed in the Torah, and G-d-fearing. He made his living by purchasing the produce of the fields from the noblemen who owned the estates surrounding Szventzian. Being very poor, he was compelled to sell what he bought immediately, thus operating at a very low profit margin. Quite often, he earned no more than a broker's fee.

Reb Moshe Gedaliah had many sons and daughters to support, and his income was not sufficient to cover his many expenses and the tuition for his sons. He certainly could not afford to have new clothing sewn for him. Eventually, his clothes became completely worn out. The noblemen warned him that if he didn't get himself a new suit, they would not allow him on their property. He therefore tried to think of some plan to obtain new clothes. Hearing that a new, G-d-fearing, tailor had moved to Szventzian about three years earlier, he went to seek his advice.

When Reb Avraham Shmuel learned of Reb Moshe Gedaliah's situation, he offered to sew a new suit for him; he could pay for it a little at a time, as much as he could afford. However, it would be several months before he could complete his work on jobs he had previously accepted. He therefore offered to lend him a suit of his own until then, and to alter it to fit him.

Reb Moshe Gedaliah declined to wear a suit that was not his own. Instead, he proposed to Reb Avraham Shmuel that - since the suit was for business wear - he would accept Reb Avraham Shmuel as a partner [to share in the profits]. Reb Avraham Shmuel declined this offer. But as Reb Moshe Gedaliah refused to accept the suit as a loan, he agreed to sell it to him.

The terms of the sale were that it could be paid out a little at a time, and that he would alter it to fit. Nevertheless, Reb Moshe Gedaliah insisted on paying at least a small amount in cash, and so he pawned the pillow under his head and gave Reb Avraham Shmuel a quarter of a silver ruble as a down payment. He then departed, and Reb Avraham Shmuel blessed him that G-d should send him success in his business.

Reb Moshe Gedaliah resumed his occupation, making the rounds of the noblemen's estates to buy the produce of their land. While traveling, he would fold his new suit and pack it in his knapsack. When he arrived at a nobleman's court, he would remove his torn suit and put on the new suit before entering to see the nobleman.

On the first day that he visited one of the noblemen, he made such a good impression that the nobleman immediately sold him the produce at the first price Reb Moshe Gedaliah offered. He also agreed to wait a full month for payment, so that he would have time to find a good customer, and thus earn a larger profit.

On the second day, when he approached another nobleman, he had similar success. Here too, he was offered goods at a low price and advantageous terms. Reb Moshe Gedaliah wondered at this, and concluded that the blessing of the G-d-fearing tailor must have been responsible for his success. When he got home, he found good customers, and earned a huge profit.

Little by little, Reb Moshe Gedaliah's income grew. Once, one of the noblemen even sent him to Vilna as his business agent, and he earned an immense sum all at once. After he grew wealthy, he obtained - for his two oldest daughters - sons-in-law who were Torah scholars. Since he now traveled regularly to Vilna, he bought himself a brand new suit of clothes there.[7]

After a few months passed (Reb Moshe Gedaliah was now considered one of the wealthy citizens of Szventzian) he felt that his good fortune had left him, and this distressed him greatly. He told his wife that - although they were still well off - he was not having the same success in business as before. He also described what his financial situation had been when he originally bought the suit from the tailor Reb Avraham Shmuel, and the blessing he had received from him.

"How foolish of you!" exclaimed his wife. "Why did you exchange the G-d-fearing tailor's suit for one that you bought in Vilna? It must be that garment which brought you favor and success."

She then went to look for the suit, cleaned and pressed it, and gave it to her husband to put on when needed. Reb Moshe Gedaliah now discovered that it was true: the tailor's suit was responsible for his success in business.

Reb Moshe Gedaliah's wife was a chatterbox; she told the story to her married sisters, and her sisters told their husbands. One of them scoffed at the idea, but the other one took it seriously. He sought out the tailor Reb Avraham Shmuel, and went to see him and ask him to sew a new suit for him. Reb Avraham Shmuel replied that he was leaving town, and would not have time to sew any new clothes.

Having no other choice, the man begged him at least to give him one of his own suits, and alter it to fit him. Reb Avraham Shmuel agreed to this, and showed him one of his old garments, which found favor in the man's eyes. Three days later, the man returned and took the garment that Reb Avraham Shmuel had altered, and he put it on. Reb Avraham Shmuel blessed him that G-d grant him success in all his undertakings.

Reb Avraham Shmuel was greatly distressed by the fact that he had been married for many years but was still childless. In fact, his wife had conceived several times, but she had always miscarried.

Reb Avraham Shmuel blamed this on his own sins, and decided to go into exile for one year as penance. Perhaps G-d would then take pity upon him and grant him living children. He informed his wife of this plan, and she consented to it. That was why he had told Reb Moshe Gedaliah's brother-in-law that he was leaving town.

From the first day that Reb Moshe Gedaliah's brother-in-law (his name was Reb Baruch Shlomo) put on Reb Avraham Shmuel's garment, he began to have success in business, and he realized that the story he had been told was true.

Little by little, the story became public knowledge, and multitudes flocked to the tailor's doorstep. To their great disappointment, they discovered that he was gone. This now became the talk of the town: Reb Avraham Shmuel the tailor, the son of the gaon and tzaddik Reb Meir, was himself a hidden tzaddik. People awaited his return with much anticipation.

Meanwhile, Reb Avraham Shmuel went into exile. He fasted constantly, and afflicted his body with severe forms of self-torment. Since he insisted on supporting himself solely by the labor of his own hands, he would mend clothes in the towns through which he passed.

Once, Reb Avraham Shmuel met a poor man named Reb Mordechai,[8] who was an outstanding Torah scholar. Reb Avraham Shmuel was delighted to listen to his Torah discussions and his profound novel insights, and he developed a great love for him. But when Reb Avraham Shmuel observed Reb Mordechai's conduct, he discovered that his ways were quite eccentric.

Reb Mordechai refused to accept donations, and made do with whatever he had. Therefore, he concluded that Reb Mordechai was not a wandering beggar, but must be in exile like himself. Thus, he found it strange that he never saw Reb Mordechai afflict himself with self-torments or fasting.

Before each prayer, Reb Mordechai would disappear for quite some time. Although Reb Avraham Shmuel articulated each word audibly as he prayed, Reb Mordechai's prayer took much longer than own. He also spent several hours a day studying by heart: his lips moved, but no sound escaped them.

One day, as they were traveling alone through the countryside, Reb Mordechai told Reb Avraham Shmuel that he wished to prepare himself to daven Minchah. He put down his knapsack and began to walk through the field. When Reb Avraham Shmuel asked where he was going, he replied that he was going to look for a river or stream in which to immerse himself, for it was his habit always to immerse himself before davening, summer or winter. Reb Avraham Shmuel said that he would go along with him, for he wished to take a swim to relieve the heat of the day.

After they had gone some distance, Reb Mordechai saw a brook bubbling a short distance away; he stopped walking and removed his clothes. Reb Avraham Shmuel saw nothing, and looked at Reb Mordechai as if he had lost his mind. Reb Mordechai instructed him to walk back ten paces, and to wait for him there.

When Reb Mordechai returned a short while later, his face and hair were dripping wet, as though he had just emerged from a bath. Reb Avraham Shmuel found this quite amazing, but Reb Mordechai said, "Why are you so astonished? Didn't the Sages tell us[9] that 'If one wishes to purify himself, Heaven comes to his aid'? Now it is known in Heaven that for many years I purify myself before each prayer. Therefore, G-d (blessed be He), caused the water to bubble up from the depths of the earth, just so I would be able to immerse myself."

From then on, Reb Avraham Shmuel began to emulate Reb Mordechai's ways. He realized that this must be one of the hidden tzaddikim, and that beyond his great knowledge of the revealed Torah, he also possessed deep knowledge of Kabbalah. Reb Mordechai offered to teach Reb Avraham Shmuel Kabbalah, and they studied together several times. But later, Reb Avraham Shmuel declined to continue, saying that he would soon be returning home. If he then continued studying Kabbalah on his own, he would surely get it wrong; therefore, he thought it best not to begin studying this subject at all.

Before they went their separate ways, Reb Mordechai told Reb Avraham Shmuel three things:

1. do not refuse a request made by the whole community;

2. when a son is born to you, name him Yitzchak;

3. never get involved in any sort of controversy.

Reb Avraham Shmuel returned home in time for Shavuos, without anyone being aware of it. His wife reported to him the stories that had been spread in the city about him: his garments served as charms to bring the wearer favor and success, and many of the townsfolk eagerly awaited his return. This disturbed him greatly, and he therefore decided to abandon the tailor's trade and to take up the trade of repairing old utensils instead. He had learned this craft during his journeys in exile, and could now make a good living at it.

After a few weeks, it became known that the tailor had returned home. The first person to come to him was Reb Moshe Gedaliah's second brother-in-law, Reb David, who had scoffed upon first hearing the stories about the tailor. He now envied his brother-in-law Reb Baruch Shlomo, who had become very successful after purchasing the suit from Reb Avraham Shmuel. When he came, he found him repairing old utensils, and asked, "Where is the tailor?"

"There is no tailor living here," replied Reb Avraham Shmuel. Reb David returned home and investigated the matter. He then discovered that this person was none other than the tailor, but that he had changed his occupation, and now repaired utensils.

Meanwhile, the governor of the city heard the rumor of the tailor in his city, who was a great tzaddik, and who sewed garments that gave favor and success. He commanded his superintendent to harness the horses, ride to the city, and summon the tailor to his court.

When the tailor's wife saw the opulent carriage pull up to their door, and a uniformed official descend from it, she grew very frightened and told her husband about it. When Reb Avraham Shmuel heard the message of the governor's agent, he replied that he was unaccustomed to riding in such a lavish conveyance. If it was all the same to the governor, he would prefer to come to him on foot. To this, the official agreed. A few days later, Reb Avraham Shmuel took his knapsack and went to the governor's court.

The governor expressed his desire to have Reb Avraham Shmuel sew him a new suit. To this, Reb Avraham Shmuel replied that he had indeed once sewn clothes, but he had since abandoned that occupation and now repaired old utensils. Reb Avraham Shmuel made a favorable impression on the governor, who had a kindly disposition and was friendly toward the Jews. Seeing that Reb Avraham Shmuel was reluctant to resume his tailoring, he didn't press the issue, and sent him on his way.

During the following month of Av a fire broke out in the city and two thirds of the city burned down, including the four shuls and the stores in the marketplace. Hundreds of people were left homeless and starving.

The governor sent ten wagons loaded with potatoes and other vegetables, and two wagons loaded with flour, to be distributed to the victims of the fire. He also invited the president of the Jewish community to send about a hundred people to live on his estate until new homes could be built for them.

The president and several town dignitaries went to thank the governor for his kindness and generosity to the fire victims. The governor then gave them permission to cut lumber from his large forest to rebuild the burned homes.

"In about three months' time," said the governor, "there will be a convention of the nobility in Vilna. I would be pleased if the tailor who lives in your community - who sews garments that have a charm of favor and success - were to sew for me a new suit. If he did so, then besides paying his fee, I would also donate - free of charge - lumber to rebuild the four synagogues that burned down."

The president convened a mass meeting, and told the assembly all about the governor's great kindness and generosity in allowing all the fire victims to take lumber from his forest to rebuild their homes. All those present blessed the governor for this. The president then told them of the governor's request to the tailor.

They decided to summon the tailor and beg him to do this thing, for it was for the good of the whole community. When Reb Avraham Shmuel heard the community's request, he refused at first. But he quickly remembered Reb Mordechai's instruction: "Do not refuse a request made by the whole community," and so he agreed.

The president and Reb Avraham Shmuel went to see the governor, who received them with great honor. He gave Reb Avraham Shmuel cloth, and showed him the design of his old clothes, requesting him to make the new suit in the same style. Two weeks later, Reb Avraham Shmuel brought the new suit to the governor, and blessed him to have success in all his affairs.

The governor's servants then brought the lumber and building supplies, and assisted the Jewish builders in rebuilding the shuls. They worked in great haste, so that the first shul could be ready for the High Holy Days. The governor also added a parcel of land to Reb Avraham Shmuel's lot, and ordered his servants to build a house for him.

During the month of Cheshvan, Reb Avraham Shmuel's wife discovered that she was pregnant. She wept bitterly as she recalled her many miscarriages, and so she went to visit the grave of her father-in-law, the tzaddik Reb Meir, and poured out her heart there. Her husband Reb Avraham Shmuel also gave her verbal support.

One night, she dreamed that an old man came to her and admonished her: "Why do you weep? You have conceived, and you will give birth to a son. Change your mood, and rejoice."

When she awoke, she could still see the old man's face before her eyes, and she reported it to her husband. Reb Avraham Shmuel then recalled what the tzaddik Reb Mordechai had told him, and he related to his wife what had happened to him during his exile with the poor man who was a hidden tzaddik. She rejoiced very much at this, for she believed in G-d and in His servants, the holy tzaddikim.

At the convention of noblemen and government ministers in Vilna, the governor of the city of Szventzian was elected governor over all of Vilna County. All the Jews of the vicinity rejoiced at this.

The governor of the city and all of Vilna kept his promise in full, donating the building supplies for the remaining three shuls, and continuing to act kindly toward the Jews who lived in his city. The very first thing he did, was to enter a law on the books that Reb Avraham Shmuel was exempt from paying taxes, and that the serfs of his estate were to plant and harvest Reb Avraham Shmuel's garden for free.

When construction of the fourth shul was completed, Reb Avraham Shmuel's wife gave birth to a son, whom they named Yitzchak.

   

Notes:

1. (Back to text) From HaTamim, Issue No. 8, pp. 92-95; 19 Kislev 5698, and from material prepared for Issue No. 9 (which never appeared). We have already met Reb Yitzchak the Tailor in the biography of Rashbatz.

2. (Back to text) [The subtitle reads, "From stories told by Rashbatz (whose soul is in Gan Eden)." Since Rashbatz passed away in 1905, it is unlikely that the editors of HaTamim heard this story directly from him. Probably, it is compiled from notes provided by the Previous Rebbe who, being intimate with Rashbatz, heard the story from him and recorded it in his diary.]

3. (Back to text) [See the Previous Rebbe's Memoirs, Vols. 1 & 2.]

4. (Back to text) However, to Rashbatz he told the story in detail, as we shall see below.

5. (Back to text) ["Blessed be He, and blessed be His Name," the customary response whenever G-d's Name is mentioned.]

6. (Back to text) [The literal meaning of Amen is an expression of belief in what has just been said. In the present instance, it may be interpreted as an acronym for E-l Melech Ne'eman ("G-d is our Faithful King").]

7. (Back to text) [The article printed in the last issue of HaTamim ends here with the promise "To be continued." Material for the remainder of the story was prepared for the next issue, which was never printed. It is translated here from that material, which was discovered in the Previous Rebbe's library (see Translator's Introduction).]

8. (Back to text) [This Reb Mordechai may very well have been the great scholar, tzaddik, and kabbalist Reb Mordechai Bayever. See The Making of Chassidim, Sichos In English, Brooklyn, 1996.]

9. (Back to text) [Yoma 38b.]