In What Merit?

On another occasion the Tosher Rebbe related the well-known story, also found in Maamar Mordechai, of how the Be’er Mayim Chaim once grew sick and weak and fainted. His soul soared heavenward and reached the world of emes, the world of truth, where he saw the holy Ba’al Shem Tov. Rav Chaim asked the Ba’al Shem Tov to heal him and save him.

“In what merit?” asked the Ba’al Shem Tov.

“My Rebbe, the Zlotshover Maggid, was your direct talmid,” explained the Be’er Mayim Chaim. “It was my Rebbe’s custom always to relate some story, parable or teaching from the Ba’al Shem Tov during the Sholosh Seudos meal on Shabbos. One Shabbos, however, they had already brought the mayim acharonim to wash and prepare to bentsch, signaling the end of the meal. I stopped my Rebbe from reciting Birkas Hamozon and reminded him, though the hour was late, that he had not yet related something from the Ba’al Shem Tov. Then the Zlotshover Maggid recited a story from the Ba’al Shem Tov, and we bentsched.”

The Ba’al Shem Tov had great satisfaction from this, and he healed the Be’er Mayim Chaim.

The Tosher Rebbe concluded, “This story clearly demonstrates that when we tell stories about tzaddikim who are in the Olam Ho’elyon, the World Above, the merit of doing them this favor stands by us. It safeguards and protects us and sends us salvation, healing and all manner of blessings from above, so that we may study Torah in purity and sanctity.”