The Apta Rav's Approval

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

One day they heard that the Apta Rav was on his way to see Rav Yitzchok of Radvil, and they set out to carry out their plan. It was well known that when the Apta Rav traveled he carried no passport. Instead he always took a mezuzah with him and showed it to the gentile guards at the border, who would examine his pass and wave him on.

This time there was a problem. When the Apta Rav presented his mezuzah-passport, the border guards arrested him and took him to Kosov for questioning. These guards were none other than the Ahavas Sholom's chassidim, disguised as soldiers and manning an imaginary border crossing.

In Kosov a lavish welcome had been prepared at the home of the Ahavas Sholom for the guest from Apt. When the Apta Rav realized that he had been fooled, he was very angry and upset. He took two cups of mashke and told the chassidim who were dressed as guards to drink them. The Toras Chaim, the son of the Ahavas Sholom, understood that if the chassidim drank, the Apta Rav would send them out of this world as a punishment.

"Do not drink the wine," he warned them, and he stepped in front of them and covered the cups so that they could not drink.

"Who is this young man who thinks he can interfere in matters that are not his own?" asked the Apta Rav.

"Chaim'nyu," said the Ahavas Sholom, "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 rest.