Rabbi Dovid Hager zt"l
Grand Rabbi of Zavlitov
21 Av 5608
Rabbi Yisrael Friedman, the Grand Rabbi of Ruzin once called Rabbi Dovid’l Zavlitover. He said, “Reb Dovid you are a very smart man and I need your advice.”
The Ruziner was imprisoned in Russia on false murder charges. After his release two years later, he escaped Russia and crossed the border to Austria and reopened his court in Sadigura, Bukovina (Carpathian mountains). His Son Rabbi Dovid Moshe, later to become the Chortkover Rebbe, was engaged to the daughter of Rabbi Aharon of Chernobyl. The Chassan and his whole family besides his father, were all in Russia and were not allowed out. In addition Rabbi Aharon Chernobyler and his family were also in Russia and unable to leave. Therefore the Chassuna was to take place in Chernobyl without the father of the Chassan, the Ruziner.
But the Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzin wanted very much to attend his son’s Chassuna. And even if he couldn’t be there at least watch it from the other side of the border. Therefore he he had asked the Kallah’s family to make the Chassuna on the border and he could watch from the other side of the border. However, the Chassidim of Rabbi Aharon Chernobyler wouldn’t hear of it and the Chassuna was planned to take place in Chernobyl.
The tension was great and the whole match was about to fall apart.
The Ruziner turned to Rabbi Dovid Zavlitover and said, “please help me that this match doesn’t fall apart.”
He asked the Ruziner for a fine wagon with four prime horses. He headed off to Chernobyl. When he arrived he spent some time checking out the in’s and out’s of the Chernobyler Rebbe’s court.
When he got a quiet moment he went in to the Rebbe and had a private audience together. He asked Rabbi Aharon, “why is the Rebbe here in Chernobyl? The whole entourage has headed out to the border for the wedding.
The Chernobyler agreed to accompany the Zavlitover. Rabbi Dovid slipped out with Rebbi Aharon from a side door and told the wagon driver to drive fast to the border. He then sent an urgent message to the Rebbe’s family in Chernobyl that the Rebbe is at the border and it isn’t correct to make him return for the Chassuna. So they should come quickly, this way both sides can take part.
The Chassuna took place at the border and the Ruziner watched the proceedings.
The next day, the Ruziner was very grateful to Rabbi Dovid Zavlitover and asked what matchmaker fee can he give him?
The Zavlitover replied, “I have a daughter seven years old and the Rebbe has a grandson Yitzchak, (later to become Rabbi Yitchak of Bahush), I would like him as a son in law. The Ruziner stretched out his hand and gave a hand shake to the Zavlitover and wished him, “Mazel Tov Mazel Tov.”
