The Chozeh from Lublin saves four people at one time from despair
Harav Avraham Simcha Horowitz, the Rov in Barnov, and author of Sefer Chamra Tava related this story that he heard from His uncle Hatzadik Rab Meir Horowitz from Dzikov author of sefer Imeri Noam, who told the following story:
The Chozeh from Lublin, Harav Yaakov Yitzchok Horwitz, had a Chosid who was a Talmid Chacham and was very spiritual. However, he was very poor and had three fine daughters who were of age. In order to get good boys for his daughters he needed money for dowry’s.. The Chosid came to his Rebbe, who advised him to do Shidduchim with his daughters and promise them a dowry, and as to the money, you should travel to a certain city and Hashem will send you from there all his needs for the weddings. The Chosid did as the Rebbe advised and his daughters became engaged to very fine boys. The Chosid who a strong believer in his Rebbe, didn’t hesitate and went to that city. He checked in at a local inn and had Bitachon that Hashem will help him. How and when he didn’t know. He wasn’t a businessperson, so he sat all day in the inn and served Hashem. The innkeeper was curious about the Chosid, who didn’t come for business and learned all day. He approached the Chosid and started a discussion with him, and asked who he was and why he had come to his inn. The Chosid told him that his Rebbe sent him to this city and that Hashem will send him his needs. The innkeeper told the Chosid, at one time I was very rich. However, I once went on a business trip to Danzig and sold all my merchandise for a huge profit and came home with 20 thousand rubles. When I came home, I started counting the money and made 20 bundles of one thousand rubles each. I sealed each bundle with my seal and put it in a small safe. I left my house for a while. When I returned I saw the safe was opened and the money was gone. No one was home, only my servant who was a Yid. I approached him and asked him if anyone had entered the house since I left and he answered “No” I outright accused the servant that he stole the money. I called the police who interrogated the servant, but he was firm in his innocence and they set him free. The servant was embarrassed and quit his job.
Since that episode, I wasn’t able to make any large deals, and lived a simple life. I was still comfortable. This shook me up and was always bothered that I acccused a Yid of stealing, and that I caused him heartache.
The innkeeper had hired a Melamed for his children, who was a righteous person, and gave him a small home nearby and the Melamed would learn every day with the innkeeper's children. The Melamed, who was very spiritual, forged a close relationship with the Chosid, who was very spiritual and served Hashem all day. They engaged in discussing deep Torah aspects. One day the Melamed asked the Chosid if they can go for a walk in the forest. The Chosid agreed. They sat down on a stone and the Melamed told the Chosid I see you are a trustworthy person. I have a plan that will help you with your wedding needs, but you must promise me that you will not tell a soul what I am about to tell you. The Chosid promised and gave him a handshake.
The Melamed began telling the Chosid, a few years ago, I noticed the innkeeper counting his money and putting it in his safe. I couldn’t control myself and took the money to my house and figured that no one would accuse me of the theft and I will be a rich man. However, soon after, I came back to my senses. How could an Erlicher Yid do such a thing? I ran back to the inn to return the money. But when I returned, I saw the police interrogating the servant of the innkeeper and I hastily left the inn and waited until things would calm down, and I would then return the money to the safe. However, anytime I wanted to return the money, something would happen, and wasn’t able to return the money. My conscious is constantly bothering me and my life is in shambles and cannot rest until I return the money, but I simply cannot tell the innkeeper I stole it.
Now that you came here, I have a plan. I will give you the money to return to the innkeeper. He will never accuse you of being the thief. You shall approach the innkeeper and tell him: You have a way of returning his fortune. He must promise not to ask questions about who and how you got the money. The Chosid agreed to do as the Melamed requested.
The Chosid approached the innkeeper and asked if he can retell the story of how his money was taken, and the innkeeper recounted the whole ordeal. The next day, the Chosid again approached the innkeeper and told him I have a way to have your fortune returned, but only on the condition that you promise not to ask questions and that you will forgive the thief with all your heart. The innkeeper, who had tremendous respect for the Chosid, agreed and gave the Chosid a handshake.
The Chosid excused himself and went to his room. He then returned with the 20 bundles of money that were intact with the original seal and handed it to the innkeeper. The innkeeper was in a state of elation and fell onto the Chosid and hugged him and said, “I don’t know how to thank you.” The innkeeper took one bundle of 1000 rubles and handed it over to the Chosid. Take this money. It should be enough for you to marry off all your children. The Chosid thanked the innkeeper and went home a happy person.
The innkeeper wanted to compensate the servant, and when he finally located him, asked him for forgiveness and he gave him 500 rubles. The servant forgave him and was glad to recieve the money.
The Chosid now realized how great his Rebbe was. He had helped four people get out of their hardship. The Chosid had now enough money for all his children’s weddings’. The Melamed who yearned to do Teshuva, did so and the innkeeper forgave him. The innkeeper also had his fortune returned, and also was able to compensate the servant. The innkeeper went on do many good business deals, and very soon he was a wealthy man again. The Chosid returned to Lublin to relate the good news to the Chozeh of Lublin, who foresaw it all.
