A Chosid of Reb Aryeh Leib of Vishnitza became wealthy with straight Emunas Tzaddikim
Harav Hatzaddik Reb Aryeh Leib Lipshutz (1727-1846), the Rav of Vishnitza, Ukraine, was the son-in-law of the heilige Yismach Moshe. He is the author of the Aryeh D’Bei Elayi. He had a chosid, R’ Hershel, who had an iron business with a partner. This went on for many years. However, the business began to go sour suddenly, and there wasn’t enough business to support both partners. R’ Hershel went to his Rebbe for advice on what to do. The Rebbe read his Kvitel and said he should dissolve the partnership and go into the new business of lending money to the elite Dukes at high interest, and he would be successful. You would go to the marketplace, where the Dukes frequented and they needed money to buy merchandise, and you would supply the money to them. The Rebbe gave him a bracha and bid him farewell.
R’ Hershel was a Chosid and didn’t question the Rebbe. He straightened out with his partner for a small buyout, and R’ Hershel made plans to go to the next big market day. He was puzzled; how can he lend money to the Dukes when he has no money of his own? With complete Emunah in his Rebbe, he didn’t hesitate and went to the marketplace, pacing back and forth, following the Rebbe’s advice. The week passed by, and R’ Hershel came home penniless!
The next week he made his trip again and paced back and forth between the stands, hoping for a breakthrough, but again the week almost passed, and R’ Hershel had no money to lend, and he figured he’d go home again penniless and try again next week. He thought to himself that the Rebbe blessed him to be successful, and the problem may be that he didn’t have strong enough Emunah. R’ Hershel got his thoughts together and strengthened his Emunah in Tzaddik.
The market began to wind down, and the dealers began closing their stands when a heavy rain with gusty winds suddenly began, and R’ Hershel had nowhere to go for shelter. He ran to an empty stand that had a small roof and stood there hoping the rain would subside soon and he would be able to travel home. The winds became stronger, and R’ Hershel became soaked from the rain when suddenly he felt a thump on his feet. Startled! He inspected the item, and to his dismay, it was a pouch filled with money!
R’ Hershel began to count the money, and there were 900 Reinish in clean bills, a rather large sum of money. R’ Hershel was an honest person and decided to wait until the owner of the pouch would come looking for it and make a Kiddush Hashem by returning it to the rightful owner. He waited, and finally the rain stopped. R’ Hershel began to pace around hoping to find the owner of the pouch. He waited until the market was empty of people, and it was soon getting dark. When no one came forth to claim the pouch, R’ Hershel understood that his Rebbe was behind this miracle and decided to pack up his wagon and go home.
As he was ready to leave, he heard a friend of his calling him to wait. He saw an acquaintance, a broker who he knew from the iron business. The broker was glad to see R’ Hershel and said he had a deal for him that would make him a tremendous profit! He continued, "One of the Dukes is desperate for money now, and has a tremendous wine cellar, which he is willing to sell." If you have 900 Reinish, I will give you the opportunity to make the deal, as I know you. If not, I’ll find someone else.
R’ Hershel was excited about how the Rebbe’s bracha was unfolding in front of his eyes! R’ Hershel answered to the broker, “Yes, I have 900 Reinish and am willing to make the deal.” The broker was happy that he found a suitor and said, “The Duke needs 800 Reinish for the wine, and 100 is my broker's fee. The great news is that I have a customer ready to buy the wine cellar for 9000 Reinish!” R’ Hershel and the broker went to the Duke’s home to announce that they had a deal. A contract was written up for the sale, and the broker paid the Duke his 800 Reinish.
Meanwhile, the broker told R’ Hershel to stay overnight in a hotel, and in the morning we will go to my buyer, who will pick up the wine and pay you the 9000 Reinish. R’ Hershel thanked his friend for his thoughtfulness. The next day the deal was consummated’, and R’ Hershel traveled home a happy person.
The next day he went to visit his Rebbe and shared the exciting news. He also gave the Rebbe a nice gift. R’ Hershel asked the Rebbe what he should do further. The Rebbe answered, “The next month stay home and sit and learn in Shul and serve Hashem. Afterwards, you can go again to the marketplace, now that you have enough money to lend, and Hashem will give you success. When you are home, sit and learn as much as you can. R’ Hershel was zoche to Torah and wealth together..
