In Zlotchuv there lived two Yidden who were partners. They hired a Bookkeeper who lived in their courtyard. One day the partners decided to expand their homes, and asked the bookkeeper to sell them his house. The bookkeeper answered: “I inherited this house from my parents and I won’t sell it.” They told him if he won’t sell the house he would be fired from his job. He still refused, and he was fired. The bookkeeper had some money saved up, and opened a store in his house, but he wasn’t successful. In a short time he became so poor, that he had no money for food. He went back to the partners, and agreed to sell the house, and to work for them. They agreed, but only on the condition he sells the house for a third of the value, and his salary will be a third of before. He reluctantly agreed. A contract was drawn up and signed, and the partners bought the house. The stress of all this caused the bookkeeper to get sick, and he died. His children came after the shiva to claim their father’s house, and his belongings. They were shocked to find out there was no house, and no belongings. When they asked the partners what happened to the house, and the belongings? They answered “your father was desperate for money, and sold all his belongings, and we bought the house for a third of the value, and they took out the contract to show to the children.
The children knew very well their father, and figured that was wrong here, and they summoned the partners to a Din Torah by the Zlotchuver Magid, Harav Yechiel Michel, a Talmid of the Magid of Mezritch. When the Magid heard the arguments of both sides he asked to see the contract, lo and behold, the contract was blank and no words were written on it! The Rebbe got upset at the partners and scolded them: This is proof that there was fraud involved, and ordered the partners to pay the children the balance of 2 thirds of the house.
The partners had to pay, but they decided they would take revenge on the Rebbe. They were close to the Duke, and went to visit him. They told the Duke that he was always wondering why did the Yidden who rent your holdings always owe you money! There is a Rebbe who forbids all Yidden to rent anything that a Yid holds, therefore, they are not afraid that someone will take it from them, that is why they don’t pay. The Duke became furious, and thanked them for the information. He relayed this information to his fellow friends. The Duke came up with an idea. He will arrange a party, and invite all the dignitaries of the surrounding areas. The duke incited the crowd against the Rebbe! Then and there it was agreed that in three months, they will send armed soldiers to bring the Rebbe to the Palace, where they will behead him. There were two Jewish Peddlers who used to sell jewelry outside the Palace. One of the ladies who used to buy jewelry from them, approached them, and said if they give her some jewelry for free, she will tell them a very important secret. They agreed, and she told them the decree on the Rebbe.
They thanked her, and traveled to the Rebbe, to warn him of the evil plan. However, the Gabbay from the Rebbe after asking what they wanted from the Rebbe, yelled at them: The Rebbe never met or had an encounter with the Duke. It can’t be true. It’s a joke! Don’t bother the Rebbe with your nonsense. They were relieved that it was only a lie, and they went home. Meanwhile, three months passed, and armed soldiers came to the Rebbe with orders to come to the Duke. The Rebbe was told that the Duke wanted to see him, and armed soldiers are waiting outside. The Rebbe calmly walked over to the soldiers and said: ”I must daven first, and after I finish davening, I will come with you. The soldiers amazingly agreed as they respected the Rebbe. The Rebbe davened for a long time, and the Duke was uptight why the soldiers have not come yet. He sent more soldiers, but the first soldiers told them not to start up with the Holy Rebbe, as he must first finish Davening.
The Gabbay didn’t tell the Rebbe anything. But now he reminded himself that the peddlers had then come to warn the Rebbe. After finishing davening, the Rebbe came out and told the soldiers he is going with them. The Yidden in Zlotchuv were worried, but the Rebbe assured them that He will return soon.
At the Palace the Duke had his executioner, ready to behead the Rebbe. The Duke had a daughter who wanted to give the Rebbe a smack before being beheaded. However, as soon as she lifted her hand it froze. The executioner lifted his axe but his hand froze as well. The Rebbe then went looking for the Duke, and asked some ministers where was the Duke? They were petrified from the Rebbe, and showed him where the Duke was. When the Rebbe came before the Duke, he asked him why did he summon him? The Duke was shocked, and asked “how did you survive this ordeal?” The Rebbe answered 16 generations of not doing, any sins guarded me. The Duke saw that the Rebbe was a Holy person and asked forgiveness. The Duke asked the Rebbe to heal them. The Rebbe told the Duke to write a declaration that he forgives all the money that the Yidden owe him, and that he will be good to the Yidden. The Duke did as requested and the soldiers came back to normal. However, the Duke's daughter was still paralyzed, and the Duke came crying to the Rebbe to heal his only daughter. The Rebbe agreed to that on the condition the Duke summoned the 2 Yidden who caused this turmoil. When the Yidden were brought to the Duke, he was so furious that he wanted to have them both executed. But the Rebbe just wanted their apology, and said: “I will deal with them.” The Duke's daughter became well, and the 2 partners lost all their money and became wanderers.
