Ransom Money

In a small town in white Russia there lived a rich Jew who was considered to be a real miser by all the townspeople. Whenever he was approached for a donation, he would take out a rusty copper five kopecks coin, and offer it as his contribution. People would throw the rusty coin back at the miser and eventually stopped approaching him for donations altogether, until something quite remarkable happened.

A young couple, both poor orphans, were soon to be married. The townspeople provided them with their needs and also made sure that they would have a fine wedding feast. Indeed, everyone had contributed to this special fund and was entitled to participate in the simcha (happy occasion), except the miser. No one had even asked him for a contribution.

In the midst of all the preparations for the wedding, without any warning, the groom was taken into custody by the Chief of Police for military service!

The Chief of Police was known as a Jew-hater. When he heard about the wedding, he thought it would be a golden opportunity to strike at all the Jews. He sent for the groom on his wedding day!

A special delegation hurried to the Police Chief to arrange for the groom's release. The Chief threw them out with the warning that they would be sent to Siberia if they continued to harass him.

At this critical time, the revered and famous Rabbi Shneur Zalman arrived in town. He had made the match between the young couple and had come to join in their simcha. When he heard what had happened, he asked the rabbi of the town to accompany him to see the Police Chief.

"We've come to ask you to release the bridegroom, who is to be married tonight. We are ready to pay the tax to obtain his immediate release. Just name the amount," the Rebbe said in a firm voice.

The Police Chief, an avid card player and gambler, had gotten himself into serious debt. He now saw a chance to squeeze a large sum of money from the Jews in his town.

"One thousand rubles," said the Chief.

Without hesitation, Rabbi Shneur Zalman replied, "You will receive this amount before sunset."

As soon as they were outside, the Rabbi asked the Rebbe, "How can we possibly raise such a large sum of money from our poor townspeople, and before sunset today?"

"G-d, the father of orphans, will not forsake them," the Rebbe answered confidently.

Rabbi Shneur Zalman insisted on going to the "miser" first. "We will give him the opportunity to participate in the great mitzva of redeeming the imprisoned," said Rabbi Shneur Zalman.

Arriving at the rich man's house, Rabbi Shneur Zalman told the man what had happened to the groom. The rich man said nothing but brought out the five kopek coin and offered it to the Rabbi. Rabbi Shneur Zalman quickly took the coin, saying, "May you have the merit to do many more mitzvot."

As they got up to leave, the Jew blurted out, "I think my contribution was too small. Here is a whole ruble."

The Rebbe took the ruble and repeated his blessing. As they turned toward the door, the Jew called out, "Excuse me Rebbe, I'd like to give a larger donation." He took out a ten-ruble note. The Rebbe took it graciously and blessed him as before. This performance repeated itself several times with the Rebbe blessing the man each time. Finally the Jew burst into tears.

"I once gave a beggar a five kopek coin, and he threw it back in my face. I was so annoyed that I said to myself, 'This coin is going to be my donation, whatever the cause, until someone accepts it with a friendly word.' Since then, that five kopek piece has always been returned to me with scorn and abuse, until people stopped coming to me altogether for charity."

"You, saintly Rebbe, are the first person who accepted my donation with friendliness. You gave me the opportunity to participate in this great mitzva and you found it in your heart to bless me. I shall never forget what you have done."

"Now, I shall give you the full amount needed to pay for the groom's release. I hope and pray that it will make up for the tzedaka (charity) opportunities I have missed."

The Rebbe blessed him again that G-d should enable him to give charity with an open hand and a joyous heart. The groom was released after the money was paid and the wedding was celebrated with unsurpassed joy and gratitude. One of the most distinguished guests, in addition to the Rebbe, was the Jew who had donated the whole ransom money.

From Talks and Tales.