There was once a yungerman who was an ardent follower of the Baal Shem Tov. His father-in-law however was just as passionate a misnaged (counted among the opponents) of the Baal Shem’s derech. He lost no opportunity to mock and disparage the chassidim and their ways.
One day his daughter grew ill, and her sickness worsened daily. No treatment was effective, and the situation became precarious. Doctor after doctor was consulted in the search for an ever-elusive cure. With her life hanging by a thread, her brother-in-law desperately tried to convince his stubborn father-in-law to seek the holy Baal Shem’s help in finding a cure.
“Why do you pester me with your nonsense; don’t you know I am utterly opposed to such things?”
This was his father-in-law’s refrain until one fateful day when it became clear she was deathly ill. Once again, his son-in law urged, “Oh, why do you persist in leaving your daughter in such a pathetic state? Why don’t you seek the Baal Shem’s aid and save her life?”
The father-in-law finally relented. “Fine--whatever you want. I’ll try anything to see my daughter survive! Send a telegram and bid the Baal Shem come to us!”
The son-in-law left immediately and sent the telegram. When he returned shortly afterwards, the house was a flurry of erev Shabbos activity while the sick girl’s condition took a further turn for the worse.
Just then, a piteous howl was heard from the sick room. Her relatives came out wringing their hands in hysterical disbelief. “Woe to us! She is no longer alive! She has succumbed to her illness!” Suddenly shunted into mourning, the whole household was in turmoil that Shabbos.
It was motzaei Shabbos when the tzaddik arrived. Loud knocks interrupted the dismal silence. A messenger stood at the door and announced, “From the holy Baal Shem Tov; he has arrived and wishes to enter.” The father-in-law, head hung in low in sorrow, bade the tzaddik to come inside. But it was too late. What was left to do? The Baal Shem Tov seated himself in an adjacent room. “Please lower the body of the deceased and tend to her, as is customary and proper.” As they did so, smoke swept over the girl, emitting a fragrance like ketoros. “And now,” said the Baal Shem, “bring me some good wine--because fine wine, snuff, and spirits revive the soul!”
“What is this-- a tavern?” yelled the father-in-law. But his son-in-law insisted. The father-in-law relented and brought the Baal Shem a bottle of wine. After slowly savoring each glassful, the bottle was empty.
“Please bring more,” requested the tzaddik.
“What did I do, invite drunkards?” thundered the father-in-law. Still, he resigned himself to the circumstances and brought more liquor. And so, the scenario repeated itself three times.
The third time, the Baal Shem drank just one glass and then commanded the son-in-law, “Raise the girl’s body, give the rest of the wine to her to drink, and then lay her back in bed. Let her drink and be revived!”
In a state of disbelief, the family followed the Baal Shem’s instructions. Awestruck, they watched as the girl’s pale cheeks grew ruddy. Her lips parted as she somehow managed to swallow and then drink the wine! Her formerly lifeless body grew warm and she began to breathe. A collective gasp was heard as the girl’s eyes fluttered open.
“Now,” commanded the Baal Shem Tov, “ask her to get out of bed and cook us all a feast for Melave Malka!” Amazingly she did so. She was healed. It was a miracle, a nes techiyas haMeisim! (Devarim Arevim) Original Source: Kuntres Chai V’Kayam p. 117
