(By Yehuda Z. Klitnick)
***** The Rebbe of Zhitomer saved a marraige with his exquisite whisky.*****
Reb Zev Wolf, who was a master at making the best whisky, drew his parnassa from a bar. His exquisite product brought in customers from far and wide who were willing to pay a hefty price. His wife and devoted staff ran the tavern. It was possible for Reb Zeev Wolf to sit, study, and serve Hashem.
After learning about Rav Zeev Wolf's Avodah, the Magid of Mezritch, Harav Dov Ber, the Talmid of the holy Baal Shem Tov's and his successor, went to see the renowned scholar, and they talked about a variety of topics related to the Torah. Rav Zeev Wolf was invited to join the Chaburah by the Magid. After making the decision to visit Mezritch, Rav Zeev Wolf met other Tzaddikim there. The Baal Hatania of Chabad, Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizensk, Rav Aaron Hagadol of Karlin, and others. Astonished by these giants, Rav Zeev Wolf was happy to join the Chaburah. He quickly rose to the position of Magid's highest talmidim. The author of Sefer Ohr Hameir, Reb Zeev Wolf, later became the Rebbe of Zhitomer.
The Rebbe's skill at making excellent whisky saved a marriage that was headed for trouble. A young, lovely girl once had parents who were so impoverished that they could not even think of providing a dowry so their daughter might marry. A shadchan once went up to the girl's father and suggested a shidduch—a very straightforward boy who couldn't find a match suitable for him. His father, who was extremely wealthy and eager to see him married, was prepared to cover all of the wedding's costs as well as the couple's purchase of a big home, which he would then furnish.
After asking her daughter if she would be open to meeting the boy, the girl agreed to meet. There was a lavish celebration of the wedding. The young couple had a very contented life. Nonetheless, the husband was exempt from working because he was pampered and inherited a large fortune from his father. He drank progressively while hanging out with terrible companions, becoming addicted to whisky, and showing up home intoxicated at night. He was able to manage his conduct initially, but with time, his alcohol addiction caused him to occasionally lose control and even threaten his wife.
She chose to collect her things and return to her parents' house because the scenario was so scary. After having regrets and second thoughts, the husband promised his wife that he would behave himself going forward. She accepted and got back to him. But his improved behavior wasn't sustained for very long, and soon he was acting violently again. Strong-willed, she requested a divorce from him. But being egotistical, he declared, "I will never grant you a divorce because it will be a stain on my name."
When his wife realized she had no other choice, she made the decision to ask the miraculous and amazing Rav Zeev Wolf, the Rebbe in Zhitomer, for assistance. She went to the Rebbe and confided in him about her heartbreak. She should bring her spouse to the Rebbe, the Rebbe suggested. "If I tell him that I went snitching on him, he will get angry, and who knows what he will do to me?" the wife exclaimed!
The Rebbe answered, I have something planned for you. Return home and let your spouse know that you acknowledge his enjoyment of alcohol, and you made the decision to join him in drinking as well. Tell him how amazing drinking is after you've had a few drinks. He will become tranquil.
After a few weeks of drinking together, confess to your spouse that you truly enjoy drinking and that you've heard of a Rabbi in Zhitomer who makes the best whiskey on the planet. Maybe we should go together and get some of his whisky. Hashem would see to it that everything went according to plan.
With Emunah in the Tzaddik, the wife followed his instructions to the tee, and it was perfectly effective. A few weeks later, they both went to acquire the best whiskey from the Rebbe. The Rebbe gave the visitor a hearty greeting and filled two big mugs with liquid. But the Rebbe grew serious and declared that this whisky may be lethal to evil people even if it tastes good and is smooth for the righteous. The spouse started screaming that his guts were scorching him and that his body was extremely hot as soon as the Rebbe said this. I think I'm about to pass away!
The Rebbe said to him, "You don't mind that your wife will become a widow, but you didn't want to have a name as a divorced person?" After realizing his mistakes, the husband made a vow to the Rebbe that he would be a good husband and repent. The wife said yes when the Rebbe asked whether she would be prepared to give him another chance. "I will heal you now, but you must swear that you would never put a drop of whiskey in your mouth," the Rebbe added at that point. He promised! The Rebbe firmly warned, "You will cease to exist the day you take one drop to drink!" The husband asked his wife for pardon as he felt normal again. After returning home, they led a peaceful life together. After learning Torah from Reb Zeev Wolf, the husband became a devoted Chosid, a Torah scholar, and he and his wife established a lovely family.
