A Command on Yom Kippur

It is told that in 5708, Rav Yochonon spent Yom Kippur in Teveria. A young man who was not a Stoliner chossid came from Kiryat Ata to be with the Rebbe for the holy day. After Shacharis the Rebbe walked up to him and, to his astonishment, told him to go and recite Kiddush and eat. Naturally, the young man did nothing of the kind on Yom Kippur.

A little later the Rebbe passed by again. Finding that his words had not been heeded, he raised his voice and said, “Did I not tell you to make Kiddush and eat?” Shaken by the outburst, the young man no longer dared to refuse the Rebbe’s plain instruction.

The next day he fell so ill that he was rushed for emergency medical care. After examining him, one of the doctors asked, “Yesterday was Yom Kippur. Be honest with me. Did you fast?” When the young man admitted that he had eaten on the Rebbe’s orders, the doctor looked startled and relieved. “You are a fortunate young man. Had you fasted, you most likely would not be alive today.”