The esteemed chossid Reb Noteh of Malastirzineh was a very simple and humble person, and whenever he visited Lubavitch, he presented himself like a commoner. Once he arrived there on a market day. At such times, so many thieves roamed the streets looking to take advantage of the trade season, that the Tzemach Tzedek instructed the local residents not to allow any strangers to sleep in the shul.
Reb Noteh had just arrived and was about to lie down to rest in the shul, when some young men, who did not recognize him, told him that this was not allowed. Reb Noteh pleaded with them, trying to convince them that he was not a thief. The young men persisted and started to forcefully remove him from the shul. Amidst the commotion, the Maharin, Reb Yisroel Noach, the son of the Rebbe, entered the room. When he saw the situation, he shouted, “What are you doing?! This is Reb Noteh!”
They boys knew of Reb Noteh and were shocked and embarrassed. To their surprise, he turned to the Maharin and said, “What do you want from them? This was the instruction of the Rebbe! They were right! And who am I, anyway...?”
Hearing so much praise sung about Reb Noteh, one of the younger chassidim wanted to meet this great chossid and get to know him. Such an opportunity presented itself during one of his trips to Lubavitch, when he found out that Reb Noteh was also there. He hurried excitedly to where Reb Noteh was being hosted. Just as he was about to enter the inn, he noticed someone on his way out. “Is Reb Noteh from Malastirzineh here?” the young chossid asked, pronouncing the name Reb Noteh with great reverence. The man however, answered with lackluster, “Eh! People exaggerate! There’s a tiny village out there called Malastirzineh, and over there can be found a simple Reb Notke... and this they turn into something spectacular.”
Hearing such dishonorable words being spoken about Reb Noteh, the young man angrily rebuked the other, even slapping him on his cheek. The great chossid continued on his way and the young man entered the inn, again inquiring where he could find Reb Noteh.
“He just walked out; you must have seen him,” he was told.
Realizing that the man he had spoken to earlier had been Reb Noteh, he was filled with remorse and hurried to ask forgiveness. Reb Noteh laughed and asked, “For what? What have you done to me?”
