A Jew was in great distress. He went from Tzaddik to Tzaddik for a blessing. They all told him that sadly they couldn't help him. He decided to go to the Chozeh from Lublin.
He came in to the Rebbi's room and poured out his heart. As he finished he added, "Rebbe! We are related! The Rebbi's wife's aunt's brother in law is a cousin of his wife." This way he hoped that the Rebbe would feel a need to pray for him.
The Rebbe replied, "true we are related, but it’s too distant!"
The man walked out the room devastated. His last hope was shattered.
As he walked out he bumped into one of the star students of the Chozeh, Reb Naftali who later became the Rebbe of Ropshitz.
"Normally whoever walks into the Rebbe sad, comes out happy," said Reb Naftali. "How is it that you came out so distraught?"
The broken man poured out his heart to Reb Naftoli.
The Ropshitzer Rav listened carefully and replied, "follow me to the Shul the Rebbe will be coming shortly to daven. Follow my instructions and it will be ok."
When the Rebbe came into Shul for Mincha, the Ropshitzer Rav called the man over. "Go and stand behind the Rebbe by the prayers. When the Rebbe starts the quiet Shemone Esrei and says the words 'Elokei Avraham' - 'the G-d of Avraham', whisper in his ear 'too distant relative!' Do the same when the Rebbe says 'Elokei Yitzchok' and 'Elokei Yaakov'"
The man followed instructions and stood behind the Rebbe. When the Rebbe said 'Elokei Avraham' the man whispered in the Rebbe's ear "too distant relative!" As the Rebbe said 'Elokei Yitzchak' the man whispered again "too distant relative!" And repeated the same when the Rebbe said 'Elokei Yaakov'
As soon as the Rebbe from Lublin finished his prayer and took the three steps back he turned around and called the man over.
"Tell me, who gave you that idea? It could only have been my disciple Naftali?! But you know what? It touched my heart! So I prayed for you and you merited a salvation!"
Someone told over the story to the Brisker Rav. The Brisker Rav replied that it’s a great story but in fact the Rebbe from Lublin was actually right!
A relative, the further the relationship the more distant the relative but our forefathers Avraham, Yitzchok and Yaakov will always remain our Grandfathers!!!!
By Rabbi Dovid Caro
