The Only Way to Cancel the Decree

Rav Yosef of Yampola and Rav Boruch of Mezhibuzh were mechutonim, for Rav Yosef's son Yitzchok had married Rav Boruch's daughter Chana Chaya. The two were on excellent terms, and there was great love and friendship between them. It was Rav Yosef's custom to visit Rav Boruch at least twice a year, on Parshas Bechukosai and on Parshas Ki Savo, when the rebukes of the tochocha are read. After Shabbos, when Rav Yosef took his leave, Rav Boruch often accompanied his mechuton well past the town's border, to escort him with honor.

During one of these visits, Rav Boruch urged Rav Yosef to meet him in secret in the forest. “I must speak with you urgently about an important matter, in total secrecy. No one else should be around, no family and no gabbo'im, just you and me. Make sure that even the coachman is a gentile.”

Rav Yosef heeded him. As the two made their way, however, they did not notice Rav Yosef's son Yitzchok, Rav Boruch's son-in-law, following them in secret. When he saw that his father and his father-in-law had hidden themselves in the forest, he crept closer to listen and learn what urgent matter had led them to behave in so secret and so strange a manner.

As the two tzaddikim spoke, he stood listening, rooted to the spot in shock. This is what he heard.

“Mechuton leiben,” Rav Boruch began, “surely you saw what I saw written in the Heavens this year, during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.”

“Yes, indeed,” replied Rav Yosef in a sad, somber tone, shaking his head. “I saw a grave and great kitrug, a prosecution, against Am Yisroel. It is a heavy, dark decree.”

“Mechuton leiben, what did you do?” asked Rav Boruch.

“Unfortunately, everything I did failed. Nothing I did was able to cancel or rescind the decree,” he answered sadly. Then he turned to Rav Boruch. “Mechuton leiben, what do you propose that we should do?”

“There is no other way to end this decree. There must be two tzaddikim, heads and leaders of the generation, who accept upon themselves to leave this world, and with their passing atone for the generation and cancel the decree,” Rav Boruch replied. “I see no greater tzaddikim in this generation than you and I. I am ready and willing, and so I ask you, mechuton leiben: will you agree at once? Will you join me? We must save the people. We must save the generation.”

Rav Yosef hesitated. “Is there no other way? I need some time to think this over.”

“Time? There is no time. Another way? There is no other way. Klal Yisroel is in mortal danger, and you ask for time and other ways?” Rav Boruch called out.

Rav Yosef saw that there was no other way, and he agreed to Rav Boruch's demand.

Hearing this terrible pronouncement, and seeing that his father had agreed, Rav Yitzchok could no longer hold back. How could he contain his anguish and bitter sobs at the thought that he would lose his beloved father and his father-in-law together? As he sighed and sobbed, the sounds of his pain reached the two tzaddikim.

Rav Boruch's anger flared. “This was a secret meeting. No one else was supposed to be present or to hear what we agreed to here. If you dare to reveal anything you have seen or heard, there will be nothing left of you but a pile of bones, and your family will be a barren hillside. Promise me that you will never reveal our plans so long as we live.”

Rav Yitzchok agreed.

By Cheshvan of that year, Rav Boruch grew weaker and weaker, until on Chai Kislev his holy soul departed. Before leaving this world, he spoke to those present about himself, citing words from the berocha that precedes Pesukei Dezimra: “Boruch she'omar vehoya ho'olom. Whenever Boruch says something, all the worlds rejoice, because Chazal say that vehoya is a language of happiness and joy. Boruch gozer umekayem. Boruch rescinds and cancels harsh decrees from Am Yisroel, and he fulfills all the good decrees for Bnei Yisroel. Boruch omer ve'oseh. Boruch says, and the Holy One fulfills. I have never lied. The only falsehoods I utter are the words of my confession.” He then recited the viduy and was niftar. He instructed that his Rabbeinu Tam tefillin, his bed and some articles of silver be given to his beloved mechuton, Rav Yosef of Yampola, so that Rav Yosef would recite Kaddish for him.

Rav Yosef set out to see Rav Boruch one last time, but he was too late. When he reached Tsherni-Ostra he felt night fall and understood that Rav Boruch had passed on. After the shiva he received the inheritance and recited the Kaddish that Shabbos night. Then he himself grew weaker and weaker, until he passed away on 24 Teves.