A Bed of Hay in the Forest

It is told that the Alter and his talmid, Rav Yoel Barantshick, were once together in the Alter's small house of hisbodedus in the forest. Night fell, and there was no bed or any comfort to sleep on. The Alter said simply, "Don't worry, b'ezras Hashem we will find a bed," and walked out into the darkening forest.

Rav Yoel went with his Rebbe. To his surprise, a farmer met them on the path carrying several bales of hay that he had not managed to sell at the market that day. Seeing such clear hashgocha (Divine Providence), Rav Yoel waited to see what would happen. The Alter asked the price of the hay, and the farmer named it. The Alter refused, and when the farmer would not lower it, he turned to leave.

"I cannot spend such a sum," he explained. "This money is kodesh for the yeshiva." He was always extremely careful and strict when it came to spending any of the yeshiva's money. As they turned away, the farmer changed his mind and agreed to a price even lower than the one the Alter had named. The Alter paid, and the hay served as their beds and blankets that night in the forest.