The Rescue from the Collapsing Wall

As told in Sippurim veToldos, one Motzaei Shabbos the coach of Rav Meir HaGadol of Premishlan raced through the dark countryside. The driver asked where they were going, and Rav Meir said calmly that they were on their way to the Baal Shem Tov in Mezibuzh for Melaveh Malkah. The driver protested that the distance was too great, but Rav Meir answered that they would have kefitzas haderech (a miraculous shortening of the road). Towns and villages blurred past, and then they were in Mezibuzh.

The Baal Shem Tov greeted his friend as though such visits were ordinary. Rav Meir said he had come for the Melaveh Malkah and to bring a refuah for the Baal Shem Tov's sick daughter Adel. He added that he would trust only Adel to prepare his festive meal of meat.

The Baal Shem Tov explained that Adel was very weak and confined to her bed. When he went to her room and told her of the guest's request, she felt her pain fading, and with new strength she rose and went to prepare the meal. Nearby her two young sons, Baruch and Ephraim, lay side by side in a crib.

Just then one of the children began to cry, and then the other. Adel lifted both into her arms to calm them. At that moment the wall beside the crib collapsed and buried the crib in rubble. The babies were safe.

The Baal Shem Tov came and saw what had happened. He told Rav Meir that Heaven had sent a worthy messenger to save his grandchildren, and that this was why Rav Meir had come for Melaveh Malkah, to heal Adel and to save her sons.