Presented for Beis Iyar, birthday of the Rebbe Maharash.
By Nechama Bar
Rivka held the rag and dipped it into the soapy water occasionally as she washed the window shutters. Every now and then she sighed heavily.
“Did something happen, Rivka?” asked the lady of the house.
“Yes, I am worried, very worried. My husband was drafted. He was sent to the front and I haven’t heard from him in a long time. I don’t know where he is and how he is. Who knows … who knows if he is still alive … and if he isn’t, G-d forbid, who will inform me?”
What could the lady of the house say? How could she comfort the unfortunate woman?
“Oh! I have an idea,” exclaimed Rivka. “Your husband is a Chassid of the Rebbe and he often goes to see him. Please, ask him to tell my woe to the Rebbe and ask for his blessing.”
The Chassid was happy to do this and the next time he went to the Rebbe (Maharash) he made a mental note to bring up the cleaning lady’s request.
Throughout the journey to Lubavitch, the Chassid was in an inspired state and he used the time to learn Torah. Before entering the town of Lubavitch, he was surprised to see the Rebbe’s carriage (for the Rebbe would occasionally go for a ride outside the town). The carriage stopped near him and the Rebbe invited him in. The Chassid happily entered the Rebbe’s carriage.
As they traveled, the Chassid remembered the lady’s request. “Rebbe, I have an important mission,” and he told the Rebbe her story.
The Rebbe said, “My father, the Tzemach Tzedek, knew how to help in cases like these, but I don’t know anything. I will tell you about an unusual incident that happened with my father.”
This is what the Rebbe Maharash said:
My mother had a relative whose husband had left her. My mother was concerned about her and brought her to our house to help in the household duties. Every now and then, my mother would ask my father to help her, but each time, the Rebbe did not respond to her request.
One time, my mother insisted and begged him to take care of this matter. “She is a relative of ours and we must help her!”
The Rebbe sighed. “Isn’t it enough for me with all the people who come with all their sorrows; you want to add to them?”
My mother did not give up. “If you cannot help, say so directly and they will stop coming. But if you can help, then help our relative too!”
The Rebbe said, “Nu, it’s not a burning matter.”
“Not burning? But we must do something. Tell me when.”
The Rebbe promised to deal with the matter after the holidays. On Chol HaMoed Sukkos, Lubavitch was festive indeed. Masses of Chassidim went to spend Yom Tov with the Rebbe and to rejoice on the “Day of Our Rejoicing.” A leaseholder from the Warsaw area also went to the Rebbe, as he usually did. But this time, a not so pleasant surprise awaited him.
“The Rebbe asked that when you come, you should go to him immediately,” said the gabbai.
The Chassid was taken aback by this unusual order, and with his heart beating quickly he went to the Rebbe.
“I would like you to do a shlichus mitzva for me. I have an important letter for someone by the name of Chaikel who lives not far from you,” said the Rebbe.
“Gladly, Rebbe, I will do so right after Yom Tov.”
“No, no, this is a very important matter. Do it now and you will be home for Simchas Torah. Please see this through quickly and fully.”
The Chassid’s face fell. This was not why he had exerted himself to go to the Rebbe, but of course he would obey the Rebbe’s wishes. He took the letter from the Rebbe and promised to deliver it and left the Rebbe’s room brokenhearted.
Chassidim, who were used to seeing those leaving the Rebbe’s room appear with glowing faces, were surprised to see his sad countenance. Upon being questioned, he told them that he was forced to spend Simchas Torah at home because of a shlichus the Rebbe gave him.
“You should rejoice!” they encouraged him. “You have the z’chus to give the Rebbe nachas. The Rebbe chose you for an important job. Do it happily.”
Their words cheered him up somewhat, and that very day he headed back toward home.
It was raining heavily and the earth was muddy. It was with difficulty that he finally arrived home, trembling with cold and with his clothing soaked. He hurried to change his clothing and to warm up at the stove.
A few minutes went by and the servant came running, “A horse died!”
The man tried to accept the bad news graciously and said, “Hashem will replace what I lack.”
A short time later, the servant came running in a panic, “The other horse died too!”
Before he could recover from this blow, he learned that the mill was up in flames.
He jumped up as though bitten by a snake. “The Rebbe’s letter! I did not rush to carry out the shlichus and that is why these terrible things are happening!”
The Chassid called for his servant and told him to quickly travel to Chaikel and give him the letter. The servant was not happy to do this because of the bad weather, but for a nice sum of money he was finally willing to go. The man added his own letter in which he warned Chaikel to immediately carry out the Rebbe’s order lest he too experience losses.
Chaikel received the letter, which said he must tell his miller to travel to the Rebbe immediately. He hurriedly called for the miller and relayed the message. At first, the miller refused, but after Chaikel threatened to fire him, he had no choice.
On Hoshana Raba the miller was in the Rebbe’s room.
“Why did you leave your wife?” said the Rebbe sternly.
The miller was frightened and he said, “Rebbe, I have no money with which to support her.”
“I will ask your employer to give you good wages, and that way you will earn a fine living.”
“But Rebbe …” The miller went on to give various excuses. The Rebbe dismissed them all and brought him to the kitchen and said, “Here is your wife. Go home together and live in peace.”
The couple did just that.
***
The Rebbe Maharash finished the story and said, “My father knew how to do miracles like these, but I … I don’t.”
“Still,” pleaded the Chassid, “we must help the unfortunate woman.”
The Rebbe finally said, “Write a letter to army headquarters in Petersburg and ask them to find out what happened to him.”
The Chassid hurriedly did this, and after a short wait he received news that the man had died in battle. The beis din then ruled that the woman was allowed to remarry.