The Only Way to Cancel the Decree

Rav Yosef of Yampola and Rav Boruch of Mezhibuzh were mechutanim. Rav Yosef’s son Yitzchok had married Rav Boruch’s daughter Chana Chaya. The two were on excellent terms, with great love and friendship between them. It was Rav Yosef’s custom to visit Rav Boruch at least twice a year, on Parshas Bechukosai and Parshas Ki Savo, when the rebukes of the tochachah are read. When Rav Yosef took his leave after Shabbos, Rav Boruch often accompanied him well past the town’s border to escort him with honor.

It is told that during one of these visits Rav Boruch asked Rav Yosef to meet him secretly in the forest. “I must speak with you urgently about an important matter, in total secrecy. No one else should be around, no family and no gabbaim, only you and me. Make sure that even the coachman is a gentile.”

Rav Yosef did as he was asked. But his son Yitzchok, Rav Boruch’s son-in-law, noticed them leave and secretly followed. When he saw the two of them hidden in the forest, he crept close to hear what urgent matter had made them act in so secret and strange a manner. He stood rooted to the spot in shock at what he heard.

“Mechutan, dear friend,” began Rav Boruch, “surely you saw what I saw written in the Heavens this year, on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.” “Yes,” said Rav Yosef sadly, shaking his head. “I saw a grave prosecution against Am Yisroel, a heavy and dark decree.” “What did you do about it?” asked Rav Boruch. “Everything I tried failed. Nothing I did could cancel the decree,” Rav Yosef answered.

“What do you propose that we do?” asked Rav Yosef. “There is no other way,” said Rav Boruch. “Two tzaddikim, heads and leaders of the generation, must accept upon themselves to leave this world, and through their passing atone for the generation and cancel the decree. I see no greater tzaddikim in this generation than you and me. I am ready. Will you join me now? We must save the generation.” Rav Yosef hesitated. “Is there no other way? I need time to think.” Rav Boruch answered, “There is no time and there is no other way. Klal Yisroel is in mortal danger, and you ask for time?” Seeing that there was no other way, Rav Yosef agreed.

On hearing this and seeing that his father had agreed, Yitzchok could no longer hold back. At the thought of losing his father and his father-in-law together, he sighed and sobbed, and the sound reached the two tzaddikim. Rav Boruch’s anger flared. “This meeting was secret. If you reveal anything that you saw or heard, nothing will be left of you but a pile of bones and your family will be a barren hillside. Promise that you will never reveal our plan so long as we live.” Yitzchok promised.

By Cheshvan of that year Rav Boruch grew weaker and weaker, until on Chai Kislev his holy soul departed. Before he left this world, he said of himself, using words from the berachah before Pesukei DeZimra: “Boruch she’omar vehayah ha’olam. Whenever Boruch speaks, all the worlds rejoice, because vehayah is an expression of joy. Boruch gozer umekayem. Boruch cancels harsh decrees from Am Yisroel and fulfills the good ones. Boruch omer ve’oseh. Boruch says, and the Holy One fulfills. I have never lied. The only falsehoods I speak are the words of my confession.” Then he recited the viduy and was niftar. He asked that his Rabbeinu Tam tefillin, his bed and some silver articles be given to his beloved mechutan, Rav Yosef, so that Rav Yosef would say Kaddish for him.

Rav Yosef set out to see Rav Boruch one last time, but he was too late. When he reached Tsherni-Ostra, night fell, and he realized that Rav Boruch had passed away. After the shivah he received the inheritance and said Kaddish that Shabbos night. Then he himself grew weaker, until he passed away on 24 Teves.