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A Distant Relation

A story ofRav Yaakov Yitzchak HaLevi Horowitzהרב יעקב יצחק בן אברהם אליעזר הורוויץProfile ›

Rav Elimelech Biderman told of a Jew who badly needed a yeshuah for a personal matter. As was customary, he wrote his name and request on a kvitel (a slip of paper) and went to the Chozeh of Lublin. But when he entered the Rebbe's inner room, placed the kvitel before him and pleaded for salvation, the tzaddik said nothing.

The man understood that his salvation must be far off and hard to achieve, so he tried another approach. He reminded the Chozeh that they were related. "Rebbe, please help one of your own flesh and blood." In truth they were second and third cousins, through shared grandparents. The Chozeh answered, "Nu, it is a distant relation," and left the matter there. The man turned away sadly and left.

Just then the Chozeh's talmid, Rav Naphtali of Ropshitz, saw him leaving so despondent, and asked what was wrong. The man poured out his troubles, ending with his failed reminder about the family tie. Rav Naphtali smiled. "Do not worry. I know just the thing. Soon the Rebbe will daven Mincha. When he reaches the first blessing of the silent Amidah and says 'God of our forefathers, God of Avrohom, God of Yitzchok and God of Yaakov,' listen closely and seize the moment. Whisper his own words back to him: 'Nu, it is just a distant relation.' Surely that will work."

The man did as he was told. As the tzaddik davened and reached the place where we mention the patriarchs and invoke the merit of our forefathers, the man whispered, "Nu, it is just a distant relation." After davening the Chozeh came to him and delighted him by saying, "You have succeeded, and you have your salvation. But tell me one thing. Was this not one of Naphtali's tricks?"

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