From the desk of Yerachmiel Tilles
Rabbi Yeshaya Asher-Zelig Margulies, one of the main 20th century Kabbalists of Jerusalem, once shared a story1 about a Jew who came to Rebbe Shaya’leh of Kerestir to complain about his difficult financial situation. Reb Shaya’leh listened to the litany of problems and suggested a particular business in which the fellow might engage. Along with advice, Reb Shaya’leh dispensed warm blessings for success.
A year later, the same Jew returned to inform the Rebbe that he had succeeded. He thanked Reb Shaya’leh for the guidance and encouragement. “However,” he announced, “I now have a new problem.”
It turned out that along with success had come a steady stream of requests for help. Suddenly, distant relatives and old friends were appearing on his doorstep, eager to reignite their friendship. He felt beholden to all of them, yet the expense of satisfying their expectations was mounting.
Rebbe Shaya’leh of Kerestir
Reb Shaya’leh was deeply pained that a Jew who had faced poverty such a short time earlier could have forgotten its taste so quickly. He requested a pen and piece of paper from his gabbai [attendant] and turned back to the visitor. "Who are the distinguished Jews in your hometown?" the Rebbe asked. The petitioner relayed some of the prominent personalities, and Reb Shaya’leh wrote the name of each one.
“Now," the Rebbe reflected, "since you don't want to share your wealth, we will find another person who is more willing!”
The visitor gasped, realizing the import of the Rebbe's words. He immediately protested, insisting that he regretted his words and that he would be generous with anyone who asked for help.
"Why does one seek plentiful parnasah [income] if not to assist other Jews?" the Rebbe wondered. As the Jew continued to plead for a second chance, Reb Shaya’leh prepared slips of paper, each with a name from the list that he had recorded.
"Alright,” the Rebbe stated, “this is what I shall do. I’ll prepare a paper with your name too so that you can be included in the lottery. If your regret is genuine, then your name will be selected and your wealth will be preserved. If not, someone else will be given the opportunity."
Reb Shaya’leh withdrew a slip of paper as the Jew stood there and wept; the name on it was that of the visitor. He had been granted a reprieve. "You've learned your lesson,” the Rebbe told him. "Be kind and generous in the future. That's the purpose of your wealth.”
Source: Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from baltimorejewishlife.com, based on the book, “Reb Shaya’leh,” by Rabbi Yisrael Besser. Why This Week? In this week's Torah reading, Pinchas, a major lottery is employed to determine the division of the Holy Land among the Twelve Tribes.
Biographic Note:
Rabbi Yeshaya “Shaya’leh” Steiner of Kerestir (,1851- 3 Iyar 1925) was the founder of the Kerestirer dynasty. He was a disciple of Rabbi Chaim Halberstam of Sanz after whose passing he became a disciple of Rabbi Mordechai of Nadvorna. The latter suggested that he move to the small town of Kerestir, Hungary. He complied, and there he became a famous Rebbe with the reputation of a miracle worker. (based on Wiki) Until today, Kerestir is the focal point of an annual pilgrimage of thousands of followers and descendants of the town’s most famous resident, He was especially known for his dedication to feeding the poor and hungry under any circumstances, often performing miraculous feats to provide sustenance for those in need. (One example: his own Rebbe commented, “Look at my Shaya’leh distributing the bread. The sack is empty, yet he continues to give....” Long after the supply ran out, Reb Shaya’leh mysteriously continued handing out fresh rolls! (ravlehoishia.org)
Appendix: Rabbi Yeshaya Steiner, the Kerestirer Rebbe, was a very pious man and extremely humble, always referring to himself with the diminutive of his name,Shaya'leh. He was known as a "miraculous" person. His greatest pleasure was to host a very elaborate Melaveh Malka, the meal that follows Shabbat, on Saturday night. Often he would have his chasidim slaughter fresh chickens for his meal. One Saturday night, while Reb Shaya'le was eating this special Melaveh Malka meal, a chasid came to him with an urgent request. He was a man who had a warehouse full of foodstuffs and he made his living by buying and selling food. For the past number of months, his warehouse had been taken over by mice who were eating his grain and other commodities and his entire livelihood was threatened. He asked Reb Shaya'le for a blessing that the mice should leave his warehouse. At that time, each small town in Europe was ruled by the local church pastor. Some of the pastors were kind towards the Jews and others were harsh. Reb Shaya'le asked the chossid if the pastor of the town he lived in was kind or harsh. The chasid replied that he was very harsh toward the Jews. Reb Shaya'le then instructed the chasid to go to his warehouse, stand in the center, and announce: "Reb Shaya'le says all the mice here must go to the estate of the pastor." The chasid followed the Rebbe's advice and instantly hundreds of mice raced out of the warehouse, all heading in the direction of the pastor's estate. The chasid's business was saved. Ever since, Jews who have been plagued with this problem have used Reb Shaya'le's picture to accomplish the ridding of mice from their homes. (jewishgen.org [including the photo]—as posted on sefaria.org.il)
1 His eyewitness written report of the techiyas hameisim -- “restoration to Life” -- miracle in 1923 at Meron is undeniable as a verified and verifiable source of the episode.
Reprinted from the Parshas Pinchas 5785 email of KabbalaOnline.org, a project of Ascent of Safed in Israel.
