By Yehuda Z Klitnick
Harav Avraham Mattisyahu Friedman (5608 - 5693), the Shtefaneshte Rebbe, was the son of Rabbi Menachem Nachum Friedman, the first Shtefaneshte Rebbe. He was the fourth son of the Heilige Riziner Tzaddik Harav Yisrael Ztsuk'l.
The following story was told by a Chosid, Yosef, who became an orphan of his father at a very young age, and as he was the oldest child, the burden of supporting his mother and family fell on him. He went to learn how to sew fur, and that brought income to the family.
But when he turned eighteen, he was called to enlist in the Romania army. Since he had a profession, he could not avoid serving. Being a Chassidish boy, he was worried about keeping his Yiddishkeit, and who would support his mother and family while he was in the army.
The Chassidim would go to their Rebbes for a Bracha to be freed from serving. Yosef traveled to the Shtefaneshte Rebbe with another group of Chassidim who also received an order to join the army! Every boy stood in line and the Rebbe blessed each of them, "May you be freed from the army and from the hands of the Gentiles," But surprisingly when his turn came, the Rebbe blessed him "May Hashem give you easy service in the army!" This fell on him like a thunderbolt. Because the Rebbe clearly said that he will have to join the army! What will happen to his Yiddishkeit and livelihood of the house! He decided to try his luck again and waited in line with other boys waiting for a blessing from the Rebbe.
Yosef was shocked that the Rebbe blessed them all to be freed from the army and the hands of the Gentiles, but when he came to the Rebbe, the Rebbe blessed him the same thing as before: "May Hashem give you an easy service in the army!"
He began to cry in front of the Rebbe and asked what about his Yiddishkeit, and who would support his mother and his family! The Rebbe reassured him not to be worried, because his serving would be easy and Hashem will guard you that your service would not affect your Kashrus or Shabbos observing. Hashem would help you to continue to support the family in the army.
After hearing the clear verdict, Yosef became calm and said goodbye to Rebbe who gave him a warm blessing. When the day arrived to join the army, Yosef was calm, with full faith in the Rebbe! When he arrived at the army center, an officer sent him to serve in the city of Chernovitz. This greatly comforted him because there were many Chassidish Jews in Chernovitz.
The first two days he really worked hard. But on the third day, there was an announcement made if anyone among the soldiers had knowledge how to sew fur, should come forward. Yosef came forth that he was an expert in sewing fur. The officer was glad, and Yosef was sent to the home of the chief commander of the army and the minister of Chernovitz. His wife had torn her precious coat of fur and an expert was needed to fix it, so people would not recognize that it had ever been torn.
Yosef examined the coat and said he can fix it but he needed to take the coat with him to match the fur to blend in. The minister agreed to send the expensive fur coat with Yosef. Yosef took the coat and the first business that he entered that sold fur, belonged to a Chassidish Yid. But when he saw a soldier entering, he became terrified, what did the soldier want from him?
Yosef reassured him not to be afraid, and that he was a Chosid of Shtefaneshte Rebbe. He told him of the Rebbe’s blessing, and the ministers wife’s coat that he had to fix. The owner became relaxed and let him choose the right colored fur. The owner gave Yosef a corner where he could mend the coat, and he watched the expertise of Yosef and exclaimed: I can use you to work for me. I have a very close connection with the army. and I will arrange that they free you in order to work for me, as I fix their uniforms!
Yosef agreed as he realized now that the blessing of Rebbe was already being fulfilled. He actually worked hard for two days, but now he will be able to work for a Chassidish Yid, and stay a Yid and still earn money to support the family..
Meanwhile, Yosef went back to the minister with the coat who showed it to his wife who was so excited as there was no clue that it had ever been torn. He offered Yosef a handsome amount of money for his expertise work. When the manager of the business asked the minister if he could take Yosef to work for him, the minister immediately agreed, and said that whenever he would need the services of Yosef, he should be ready for him.
Yosef received his temporary discharge from the army to work for the Chosid. In a short while Yosef became engaged to a fine Chassidish girl, and his boss arranged for Yosef to be released from the army. Just as the Rebbe promised"an easy service!!!"
Reprinted from the Parshas Shemos 5786 email of Pardes Yehuda.
