By David Koppelman
In the Russian town of Brazdiuv lived an old man by the name of Reb Zalman Lichtzier. He was a professional mohel, a rarity in the Soviet Union in the 1960s. Although the government had forbidden the ritual of circumcision, Reb Zalman let it be known that he was willing to ignore the decree and circumcise any Jewish child that was brought to him. Old as he was, he felt he did not have much to lose by defying the government, for the worst they could do was execute him, and he had already lived a long and full life.
Word of this dedicated mohel spread among the Jews, and from near and far they secretly brought him their baby boys. Reb Zalman circumcised them all, and refused to accept payment for his services.
The High-Ranking Officer with a Shotgun
One day a “natchalnik,” a high-ranking officer, armed with a shotgun, showed up on Reb Zalman’s doorstep. Reb Zalman invited the officer into his house, sure that he was about to be arrested. Instead, the officer said, “I, too, am a Jew. My wife, who is also Jewish, has recently borne me a beautiful son, and we would like you to perform his berit milah.”
Reb Zalman was struck dumb. But he did not have to answer yet, for the officer was still explaining the situation.
“It is forbidden for you, obviously a Jew, to enter my home. If you were to be seen, both of our lives would be in danger. Therefore, I worked out the following plan: You will try to cross the border at a place I will designate, without a passport. You will be arrested and brought to me, for it is my job to deal with illegal border crossings. At that point I will take you to my home, and you will perform the berit there.”
Was this a Diabolical Trap
Was the officer speaking the truth, or was he trying to ensnare Reb Zalman in an elaborately set trap? Reb Zalman did not know. “I have taken upon myself to perform the misvah of berit milah with absolute mesirut nefesh,” he thought, “and so I will take a chance and follow the officer’s instructions, although I may be risking my life.” He hoped his decision was the right one.
Reb Zalman acquiesced to the officer’s plan. He took a valise and packed his talet, tefillin, and the instruments he would need for the milah, and traveled towards the agreed-upon border point. According to plan, he was arrested, admitted to not having a passport, and then taken directly to the Jewish officer who had come to see him. The officer, playing his part to perfection, angrily yelled that he would punish the Jew as he deserved. As soon as the arresting officer left, the “natchalnik” seated Reb Zalman in his car and drove him to his home.
The berit milah was carried out according to halachah, and after it was all over, the officer drove Reb Zalman back to Bradziuv, where he continued to perform his secret misvot. (Glimpses of Greatness)
Reprinted from the 5785 email of Rabbi David Bibi’s Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace. Excerpted from the 1994 Gefen book – “Glimpses of Greatness.”
