Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Horowitz zt"l
The Chozeh of Lublin
Author: Zichron Zos, Zos Zichron
9 Av 5575
This was good news indeed that reached the ears of Reb Yossele of Ostila, who was the son of Reb Mordechai of Neshchiz. He had heard that a great Tzaddik was soon to pass through his town and very much wanted to have him as his guest, for this was none other than the Chozeh of Lublin. He was known on account of his unusual powers of perception. But there was something else he knew. When the Chozeh lay down on another's bed he would sometimes cry out, "it's prickly!"
He therefore summoned to his home a sincere Jewish carpenter and instructed him to build a bed especially for the Rebbe and to make sure that no one else should sleep on it. In addition he should immerse himself in a mikvah before working on it, and that he should entertain pure thoughts while working.
The carpenter was not at all enthused by this odd proposition, and in fact was somewhat apprehensive. On the other hand he could not quite bring himself to reject an instruction given by the Rebbe. In the end he set about the work with a dejected spirit and a feeling of unworthiness, knowing full well who was the holy man who was soon to sleep on this bed. As soon as delivered the finished articles to Reb Yossele, the Tzaddik stood it in a special room, made it up with linen that were suitable spotless and ironed, brought in a chair, table and lamp, and locked the door. And in order that he should be certain that no one at all would enter the room, he kept the key in his own pocket.
A few days later Reb Yossele was overjoyed, for when he went out to greet his distinguished guest, the Chozeh in fact accepted is offer of hospitality. He conducted him to his room, showed him the bed which a G-d-fearing carpenter had constructed especially for him, invited him to lie down to rest a little, and left the room in calm satisfaction.
"Help! It's prickly!" came the cries of alarm from within. Reb Yossele did not know what to think. Perhaps he should offer the Chozeh his own bed? But then it would not be very pleasant if the same thing happened there too. Besides, if that were the case, how would the Tzaddik rest after his arduous journey? Finally, however, he decided to ask the Rebbe to sleep in his own bed, and the Chozeh agreed.
When he woke up he said: "Excellent! You have restored life to all my limbs!"
Reb Yossele was relieved, but he still had a question, "I was a little surprised, Rebbe that the Rebbe said that the new bed was prickly, for a G-d-fearing man made it specially for you."
"Have no fear!" the Rebbe reassured him. "The bed is kosher in every respect. Only one thing, it exudes a smell of melancholy, because it was built during the Nine Days of Mourning, and the carpenter, being a G-d-fearing man, was lamenting the Destruction of the Beis HaMikdash while he was working on it."
The Nursemaid's Request
The Chozeh gave strict instructions to his attendant that he shouldn't be disturbed during his set times dedicated to Torah study. Nevertheless, one day the attendant came in during one of those sessions to say that a woman in the outer room is crying profusely and insists on seeing him.
The Chozeh said to bring her in. As soon as she entered, she asked if the Rebbe recognized her. He answered that he didn't. She smiled and told him that she had been his nursemaid, as his mother was unable to nurse him. His father chose her because he wanted someone who was careful with the blessings on foods, since the foods one eats turns into milk. He wanted everything to be kosher and pure in order that the child should become a great Tzaddik.
Clearly, the father's desire came true, the former nursemaid declared, and now she had come with a request. All her children had passed away, she was not at all well, and she felt that her time was coming soon. She was despairing because she had nobody to say Kaddish for her. Would the Rebbe say kaddish for her after she passes away?
The Tzaddik promised he would do it. A few days later she passed away and the Chozeh started saying Kaddish for her.
For thirty days the Chozeh did not take his mind off of her. On the thirty-first day, the nursemaid came to him in a dream. Her face was aglow like the sun and her garments sparkled like a night sky full of stars. She said, "You can stop saying Kaddish! I don't want you to say it for me anymore!"
"Is my Kaddish not good," questioned the Chozeh?
Her answer astounded. "On the contrary. It's too good. Every time you say Kaddish, I am raised to another exalted level. Now I sit amongst very righteous women. I don't understand what they say, but it is good for me to be there. But if you say Kaddish for me tomorrow, they will take me to another place, which will surely be too high for me. Thank you very much, but please stop saying the Kaddish!"
