A Little Pressure on the Scales

When Rav Bertzi was just a youngster, a very distressed chassid came to the door seeking the blessings and miraculous intervention of Rav Bertzi's father, Rav Mordechai, who was away from home at the time. When the chassid learned that the tzaddik was absent, his sadness and distress were plain to see, and the young Rav Bertzi's heart went out to him. “I am sorry my father is not here to help you,” he said, “but perhaps you can share your problems with me. Maybe there is some way I can help.”

The man consented. “I work as a government supplier for the army,” he began. “Recently the army performed a routine inspection and found that my supplies are short. They claim that the weight of my goods is below the average weight specified on my bill of sale. Whatever shall I do?” he cried in despair.

“Give me one coin as a pidyon and I will help you.” declared the young tzaddik. The man gave him the pidyon, and Rav Bertzi said, “You have nothing further to worry about. When the case comes to court, just tell the judges that you insist they reweigh the supplies.”

The man followed the youngster's advice. When the supplies were reweighed, the prosecution discovered to their astonishment that the weight discrepancy was in their favor. The defendant had not shortchanged them at all, but had provided them with a surplus. The case was thrown out and the decree against the chassid was cancelled.

The joyous chassid returned to thank the young tzaddik. When Rav Mordechai heard about his son's miraculous intervention, he asked him, “Bertzi, what did you do?”

“Really, it was simple, Father,” Rav Bertzi explained. “I davened to Hashem that, during the trial, the archangel Michael should come and apply all his weight to the scales of justice and mercy. He did so, which tipped the scales in the chassid's favor, and he won.”