The Cherem That Never Was

When Rav Ze'ev Wolf reached the inn near Brod, he already knew why the Baal Shem Tov had sent him to the city. The townspeople of Brod intended to place a cherem (excommunication) on the Baal Shem Tov and his followers. They argued that his ways were new and strange, that they contradicted the local customs, and that he did not follow the code of Jewish Law.

The scholars of Brod could do nothing without the agreement of the Rav of Lvov, since Brod was under the Four Countries and under his guidance. They invited him to the city. The Rav of Lvov chose to stay at the very inn where Rav Wolf was staying that night. Rav Wolf decided to stay hidden and played the part of a poor beggar, sitting quietly by the stove.

A festive meal was held for the Rav of Lvov with many leading men of Brod, and it ended late. Rav Wolf rose from his corner to say tikun chatzos, as was his custom, praying fervently with many tears. The guest was impressed, and when Rav Wolf finished he spoke with him. The poor man’s knowledge and character impressed him even more. “Where are you going?” he asked. “To Brod,” Rav Wolf said.

The next day the Rav of Lvov went straight to the meal in his honor. After the speeches of welcome, they presented him with a written report listing why the Baal Shem Tov should be placed in cherem. He answered, “One must not take a cherem lightly. It needs a large group of wise Torah scholars.” Then he told them about the scholarly beggar he had met the night before. “He must be in Brod by now. Find him and bring him here. I want his opinion.”

They found Rav Wolf and brought him before the Rav of Lvov. The papers were placed before him, and he was asked to give his opinion. “What?” cried Rav Wolf, in pain and horror. “You wish to place my beloved Rebbe in cherem? What a crime. What an injustice. You say he does not keep the code of Jewish Law? He does not depart from it by one iota.” He then answered every point in the report.

When he stopped to catch his breath, the Rav of Lvov turned to the others. “If the Baal Shem Tov has such devoted and worthy followers as this man, we cannot lift a finger against him.” The cherem was dropped, and the two guests went home, the Rav to Lvov and Rav Wolf to Mezhibuzh, glad to have accomplished his mission.