The Cossack Has Plenty of Money

The Ahavas Sholom had a chassid who was an innkeeper. He leased his small inn and tavern from the local Polish nobleman, the poritz, and after he paid the lease, his parnassah was meager indeed. He was always late with his payments and was always coming to the Kossover Rebbe for help. Each time, the Ahavas Sholom would open his desk drawer and hand the chassid whatever money he needed to pay his debts.

When the Ahavas Sholom passed away and his son, the Toras Chaim, became Rebbe, the chassid kept coming to visit the new Kossover. But now, when he described his troubles and his need for money, the Toras Chaim gave him no money, only a berachah.

"Rebbe, what will I do with your berachah?" said the bewildered chassid. "I need cash now. Your father gave me the money I needed, not just a berachah."

"My father," answered the Toras Chaim, "had a special berachah from Heaven that his desk and drawers would always help the needy and never lack funds. He could always open his drawer and find whatever he needed. I did not inherit this berachah, so I cannot do the same. But do not worry. The Cossack has plenty of money to spare, much more than I do, and he will give it to you." And with that enigmatic remark, the Rebbe bade his chassid farewell.

The chassid did not understand the Rebbe's strange talk of an imaginary Cossack. He understood only too well that without the money to pay the poritz, he was in serious trouble. He went home sad and distressed. When his wife asked whether the Rebbe had given him the money, the chassid answered bitterly, "He is no Rebbe."

He went to sleep in sorrow, and in the middle of the night he was woken by loud knocking and banging at his door. When he opened it, a tall Cossack stood before him. "I am in a rush to join the war, and I had to leave in haste," the stranger said. "I have no one trustworthy to guard my money until I return, if I ever return. I asked around in these parts for someone I could trust with my life, and everyone said you are the most trustworthy man here. Take this money." He handed the bewildered Jew thousands of gold coins. "Guard it for me until I come back. If I ever come back, give it to me." And without another word he disappeared into the night.

The Jew hid the money, and the next day he set out for Kossov. When he told the Rebbe the strange tale, the Rebbe smiled and said, "There is no Cossack anymore, and no war. He is never coming back. The money is yours."

Needless to say, the chassid's faith in his Rebbe was restored, and he now had plenty to pay the poritz.