Rabbi Yehuda Assad zt”l
- Author: Mahari Assad, Yehuda Yaale, Divrei Mahariyu
- Rabbi in Szerdahely, Hungary
- 23 Sivan 5626
The year 5608 (1848) saw many outbreaks of violence in Eastern Europe. As always, the Jews were the first victims. Word spread in Szerdahely that a gang of robbers were preparing to overrun the town on the first night of Pesach, while all the Jews were sitting at their Seder tables. When the news was brought to the chief Rabbi of the town, Rabbi Yehuda Assad, he decided that all the Jews in town should join together to conduct one large communal Seder.
Immediately after the Maariv, the first night of the Pesach, the Jewish families of Szerdahely arranged themselves around large tables in a central hall. Rabbi Assad sat at the head of the main table, and spoke words of encouragement to the frightened members of his community. When the scout came running in with the news that the robbers were approaching the town gates, Rabbi Assad went out alone to meet them. Clad in his long white kittel (robe), he walked confidently toward the violent men. On coming within sight of them, he lifted a shofar to his mouth and began to blow. Confusion overwhelmed the gang. They began running wildly in all directions. A number of them were trampled to death by their companions' fleeing horses. A statue was later erected on that spot, to commemorate the events of that night.
The town's gentiles were driven to fury by the Rabbi's feat. They decided to attack him and ambushed him in the town square. When the Rabbi approached, the bakery owner, a violent man, ran out with his sword. R' Yehuda Assad continued to walk toward him, unafraid. Furious, the baker raised his sword with all his might, intending to bring it forcefully down on the rabbi. But a miracle occurred, instead of piercing the rabbi's body, the sword swerved and cut off the baker's own hand. The gentiles' respect for R' Yehuda rose greatly after this incident, and they were very careful to treat the entire Jewish community respectfully as well. As for the crippled baker, he wandered through the town for years, no longer able to work, warning his fellow gentiles and reminding them of what awaited those who dared harm a Jew.
Once, a delegation of leading Jewish Rabbis went to visit the Austro-Hungarian Kaiser, Franz Josef, on an important communal matter. In the waiting room, before their audience, they were discussing among themselves who should address the Kaiser first. The waiting room had mirrors on all its walls. The holy Rabbi of Szerdahely, Rabbi Yehuda Assad, the most senior Rabbi there, happened to glance over to the other side of the room. There, he saw in the mirror opposite him, his own reflection. For Rabbi Assad, it was the first time in his life that he had ever seen his own appearance, for out of his piety and humility he had never looked at his reflection in a mirror! Seeing a Jew whose face shone with holy dignity and beauty, he pointed at the image in the mirror and whispered to some of his colleagues in the delegation, "Look at that elderly Jew there. You can see the Shechina, the Divine Presence, on his face! We should let him be the first to speak."
A man once approached Rabbi Yehuda Assad for advice. “There is an old, run-down store in the downtown area of the city. I can get it a very reasonable price. I think that with my marketing skills I may be able to turn that location into a profitable venture. Do you think I should buy it?”
Rav Assad made a face. “I don't think that it would be prudent to enter that part of the city for a business venture.” The man left somewhat dejected. A few days later another man entered the Rabbi's study with the identical question about the same property. “There is an old, run-down store in the downtown area of the city. I can get it at a very reasonable price. I think that with my marketing skills, and of course with Hashem's help, I may be able to turn that location into a profitable venture. Do you think I should buy it?” This time Rabbi Assad nodded in approval. “I think you should make a go of it. I have no doubts that it will be a success.” When word got out that the Rabbi was behind this new endeavor, the first man stormed into his study quite upset. “Why did you tell me not to buy the property and then tell my friend just the opposite,” he asked? “My dear student,” answered the Rabbi, “there is a great difference. Your friend took in a partner. He said that with the help of Hashem he could make a go of it. When someone includes Hashem in his plans, I am sure that he will succeed!”
