A Barrel of Gold Covered in Rags

After the Rebbe of Liska passed away, his chassidim were unsure who should succeed him. They decided to travel together to ask the opinion of Rav Mordechai of Nadvorna. Rav Yeshaya, who had always served the Rebbe in his inner room as his gabbai, came with them.

They named various candidates, and Rav Mordechai replied, "In my opinion, Rav Yeshaya should succeed the Rebbe of Liska." The chassidim could not accept this. Rav Yeshaya was not the son of a Rebbe, they argued, so how could he succeed him? The Rebbe of Liska's descendants also complained that he was taking away their inheritance, their rightful position and their livelihood.

Rav Mordechai listened, then turned and stood at the window, gazing into the distance. The chassidim gathered around to see what he was looking at, but all they saw were a few bales of hay and straw. He said with his usual humility, "If Mordechai were to point at those bundles of straw and say that this is a Rebbe, what would people say? All Mordechai is saying is that there is a hidden barrel full of gold, covered with shmattes and filthy rags. All Mordechai is doing is removing the rags, and then all of you will see the gold. I ask you to let Rav Yeshaya remain in Liska. It would be a great favor and would bring good to you and to many generations."

His advice and his request went unheeded, and Rav Yeshaya had no choice but to leave Liska. Rav Mordechai advised him to move to Kerestir, and from there came the flow of blessing that Kerestir is known for to this day.

A chassid once asked Rav Mordechai whether it was permitted to give Rav Yeshaya a kvitel (written petition) and ask him to bless him and daven for him. Rav Mordechai rose to his full height and answered, "The Gemara in Sanhedrin says that one who holds back a prophecy is punished. I do not wish that on you or on myself, so I will not hold back mine. In Heaven it has been decided and established that Rav Yeshaya is the one who inherits the place of the Rebbe of Liska."

Rav Mordechai himself moved to Kerestir, and for a year and a half he supported and strengthened the new Rebbe. Those who came to him for a blessing or advice were turned away and told to seek the counsel and blessing of Rav Yeshaya first. He also refused to accept any kvitelach in Rav Yeshaya's domain, saying that they belonged to Rav Yeshaya alone.

May his holy merit shield us all.