In one city in Germany, there was an assimilated Jew, the owner of a private bank, and he had an only son. The son fell ill, and his father rushed specialist doctors to his bed, but they became incapacitated and the illness worsened. The father remembered that his father used to turn to the synagogue sun in times of distress, to conduct the "Mi Sheberach" prayer, he went to the synagogue and turned to the sun, asking how much such a blessing would cost him for his son's recovery. There was a guest there, a Jew from Galicia who came on the occasion of his business. He heard and was interested. He asked, "Have you been to Sanz yet?" Sanz? What's in Sanz, a hospital? A renowned professor?! "Much more," he replied. "There's a 'Wanderer Rabiner' there, a rabbi who does wonders. A worker of salvation, a miracle worker, people from all over the world are flocking and coming!" He returned home and told his wife. She urged him to go.
He wandered on their way, crossed countries, crossed districts and reached Sanz. He came to the Rebbe and asked what he wanted, his son was sick... And may the Rebbe heal him. The Rebbe inquired about where he came from, from Germany. What is his business, a bank manager? Is the bank closed on Shabbat, of course not? All the banks are open on Shabbat and closed on Sunday, and he is in general. The Rebbe understands, the competition is fierce, and most of his customers are non-Jews. In general, even in his home, Shabbat is not observed. And kosher? Not either. In his parents' house, they kept it. Today, there is no kosher butcher shop in his city. And purity? He doesn't know what it is. The Rebbe explained. Oh, so no. "Good," sighed the Rebbe. "Well, listen. Someone misled you, I don't do wonders: I can't heal your son." No? If so, he came for nothing. He asks for forgiveness for the harassment. But why is the line so long? "I will explain to you," the Rebbe continued, "people know that trouble comes from above, and they believe that my prayer is accepted before God and that I can act to cancel the decrees. Your son has also been decreed, and I am willing to turn to the Creator and ask Him to fulfill your wish and heal your son. But then the Creator will ask: Is He doing My will, asking me to do His will? And what can I answer?! Therefore, I propose a deal: You will take upon yourself to keep Shabbat kosher and pure, and I promise that Hashem will do your will and your son will be healed!" The banker heard and considered the deal. He answered: Regarding kashrut, I understand that there is no problem. Let's move on to vegetarianism. Regarding purity, I will ask at home. But regarding Shabbat, there is nothing to talk about. If I close the bank on Shabbat, customers will leave me and the business will close. "As you wish," the Rebbe replied. "We didn't make a deal." They shook hands, parted as friends. He returned home, and his son was dying, "Well, what was there?" the mother asked. "A tough Jew," the banker answered, "you can't do business with him, he's not willing to compromise!" and told me about the meeting. The mother was shocked: "Murderer! The bank is more important to you than your son?! You immediately run to the post office and send a telegram that you agree to the three conditions." He hurried, and sent the telegram, and when he returned, the child was already healed. After a short time, he was healed. And the city was furious: the bank was closed on Saturdays, people heard the story, were astonished and appreciated, and the business only prospered.
His wife sent him to pay the Rebbe 300 marks as a visit fee to the professor, and he refused to take it, like Elisha Shaman, who refused to take money from Naaman, in order to increase the glory of Heaven. After he insisted, the Rebbe said: "If so, there would be shluchi, in the beit midrash there would be yeshiva students sitting and studying, divide the money among them and bless your son." He went on and on. One of the students heard this and hurried to the Rebbe. A long time ago, his wife fell ill and her illness worsened, and the Rebbe made do with a blessing. He asked painfully: "Does the Rebbe save only those who desecrate the Sabbath?!" ... The Rebbe looked at him: "Are you my Chassid?" "Of course!" and he loves me?" "Love of soul!" "If so, why don't you understand! The Holy One, blessed be He, decreed that who am I to annul it? And if I perform a miracle and force me to cancel the decree of Heaven, I arouse anger and meticulousness, and I am liable to pay dearly for it. But everything is worthwhile, in order to increase the glory of Heaven. So that in Ashkenaz they will see a bank closed on Shabbat, and they will know that there is G-d in Israel! But that you will demand it from me..."!?)
