The Border Guards of Kosov

There was once a dispute between Rav Yitzchok of Radvil and the Ahavas Sholom of Kosov over one of the shochtim (ritual slaughterers) in Nadworna. When the Kosover chassidim heard that the Apta Rav seemed to side with the Radviller, they decided to bring the Apter to their own Rebbe, the Ahavas Sholom.

One day they heard that the Apta Rav was on his way to Rav Yitzchok of Radvil, and they set their plan in motion. It was well known that the Apta Rav used no passport when he traveled. Instead he always carried a mezuzah and showed it to the gentile guards at each border, who would look at it as if it were a pass and wave him through.

This time, however, when he showed his mezuzah, the border guards arrested him and took him for questioning to Kosov. They were none other than the Ahavas Sholom's chassidim, dressed as guards at an imaginary border crossing.

In Kosov a lavish welcome had been prepared for the guest from Apta at the home of the Ahavas Sholom. When the Apta Rav realized he had been tricked, he was very angry and upset. He took two cups of mashke (whiskey) and told the chassidim who had played the guards to drink them. The Ahavas Sholom's son, the Toras Chaim, understood that if they drank, the Apta Rav would send them out of this world as a punishment. "Do not drink," he warned them, and he blocked them and covered the cups.

"Who is this young man, who thinks he can interfere in matters that are not his own?" asked the Apta Rav. "Chaim'nyu," the Ahavas Sholom scolded, "stand up so the Rebbe can see you properly."

When the Apta Rav's gaze fell on the Toras Chaim, he was greatly impressed, and he let the matter go.