THE ROPSHITZER’S MIRACLE OIL
The Shinover Rav, mechaber of Divrei Yechezkel, did not refrain from saying Tachanun on the yahrzeits of various tzaddikim. Similarly, he did not have the custom to visit the gravesites of tzaddikim. There was one exception: He observed the yahrzeit, and visited the tziyun of the heilige Ropshitzer Rav, mechaber of Zera Kodesh to whom the Shinover Rav felt he owed his very life. This is the story why: When Rav Yechezkel Shraga was seven-years old when his life was almost cut short by a terrible accident. Rav Yechezkel Shraga’s uncle, Rav Avigdor of Dukla, was in town visiting his brother, Rav Chaim of Sanz in Rudnick. At the end of the visit, when Rav Avigdor entered his carriage to leave, he realized that he had forgotten something back in the house and sent young Yechezkel Shraga on an errand to fetch the forgotten object.
In his zeal to help his uncle, he dashed across the street. A passing wagon carrying a heavy load of lumber came careening down the road at high speed, running him over! The heavy wheels had crushed his body. When the doctors rushed to examine his mangled body, they shook their heads. They despaired for his life as the surgeon determined that the wheel had sliced his liver in half!
Hearing the terrible diagnosis, Rav Avigdor raised his hands heavenward and cried, “Ribbono Shel Olam – Master of the World, if I am destined to have a son, I would gladly exchange him so that this young man’s life be spared.” And so it was that Rav Avigdor never had any sons born to him, only daughters.
The holy Divrei Chaim examined his son’s broken body and each limb he touched, the bones grew back together and straightened themselves out! Even later, in his old age, people would remark – especially the physicians – how straight and stately a stature the Shinover Rav had!
The Divrei Chaim still feared for his young child’s life, as Yechezkel Shraga’s internal organs had been damaged beyond natural repair. He sent word with one of the chassidim to his own rebbe, the great tzaddik, Rav Naftoli Ropshitzer, to daven for his son’s life. The Rebbe did this and more: he sent back a flask of pure olive oil with instructions to anoint and massage the child’s body. In a short while, miraculously, the child healthy again.
In the weakened state of old age, the Shinover Rav would recount his miraculous salvation. He would recall how when he was massaged with the oil sent by the Ropshitzer, he could feel his bones repair themselves and how his organs regenerated and straightened themselves until his body became healed and whole again. He would then sigh and remark longingly, “From where could we get such pure, holy oil today if we needed it?” (Divrei Yechezkel pp. 2–3)
HOW THE ROPSHITZER EVENTUALLY BECAME A TALMID OF REBBE REB ELIMELECH OF LIZHENSK
The following tradition was related by Rav Avigdor, the Av Beis Din of Novo Sanz, who heard it from his grandfather, the Divrei Chaim:
When the two Tzaddikim, Rebbe Reb Melech of Lizhensk, and his brother, Rebbe Reb Zusha of Hanipoli, were wandering together in self-imposed exile, they suffered extreme deprivation, going from place to place like beggars, sleeping on benches in the Bais Medrash, often fasting for lack of food, simultaneously loving and drawing their fellow Yidden to teshuva, Ahavas Hashem and Ahavas Yisrael wherever their holy feet led them. This journey served as a kappora for all Klal Yisrael, as well as to perfect themselves, and lasted some nine years. Toward the end of their travels they ended up in Linsk for Shabbos.
The Rav of Linsk was the renowned Gaon, Rav Mendel Linsker, the father of Rav Naftoli Ropshitzer. The two holy brothers came dressed in rags and tatters, and this is how they appeared in the Bais Medrash of the Linsker Rav. No one took any notice of them all Shabbos long. No one invited them to partake of a Friday night meal and they were reduced to eating whatever crumbs of bread they carried in their packs. The same scenario repeated itself Shabbos day and at Sholosh Seudos, when they drew close to hear the Divrei Torah. They thought it was strange that no one took any notice or invited them at all and wondered at this fact even as they drew close on Motzo’ei Shabbos to hear the berocha of Havdola and recite borei me’orei ho’aish on the candle.
It was then that the young lad Naftoli laughed at them and poked fun, calling them silly names. “Ha! Ha!! Meleich – Freilich, and Zisha – Kishya!!!”
His father, Rav Mendel Linsker, turned to the two holy brothers and remarked, “You think I don’t recognize you or know who you are? If I had wandered in self-imposed exile as long as you two, my face would look better and more radiant than yours! You would do better to rectify the world by eating more than by fasting!”
He gave them three coins for charity and sent them on their way. When they examined the coins, they discovered them to be three silver francs, a princely sum indeed. They were worried that this was a mistake, but Rebbe Reb Zusha exclaimed, “Wait, the Rav told us to serve Hashem by eating. Let’s see if this money is enough to purchase all the food we need, then we can give back the change; if not, we will know it’s no mistake.” They spent an additional year this way in golus and when they again stopped in Linsk, the Rav snapped his fingers and said, “Now you have succeeded in fulfilling my intentions!”
Later, the Rebbe Elimelech became well known as a great Tzaddik and Rebbe. When the Linsker Rav passed away, his son Rav Naftoli wanted to travel to Rebbe Reb Elimelech and study under him and become his talmid. He was deterred, however, by the memory of how he had poked fun at the Tzaddikim as a young boy. Nonetheless, after some hesitation, Rav Naftoli decided to approach Rebbe Reb Elimelech, ask his forgiveness and to ask the Rebbe to accept him as a talmid.
The Rebbe Reb Elimelech had the ability to know from Wednesday on who would be his upcoming guests for Shabbos. As soon as Rebbe Reb Melech felt that Rav Naftoli was traveling to Lizhensk for Shabbos he warned his gabbo’im and his shamash, “When the Ropshitzer arrives, do not let him into my rooms without my express permission!”
When Rav Naftoli arrived in Lizhensk, the shamash came straight to Rebbe Reb Elimelech to report on his arrival. When Rav Naftoli approached the threshold, Rebbe Reb Elimelech stopped him from entering through the doorway, and declared, “Here comes the son of that murderer!” and he slammed the door in his face, barring his entry. At that moment the Ropshitzer fainted.
Rebbe Reb Elimelech gave him some brandy to revive him and sent him on his way. The Ropshitzer took the remaining brandy with him and went to the Bais Medrash. There he found a throng of Chassidim in heated discussion about an upcoming simcha, a wedding to take place that evening between two orphans. The problem was that the chosson lacked a tallis as his gift and there were no drinks or food to be had! The chasuna was in danger of being canceled.
When Rav Naftoli heard this news, he went into town and, since he was from a wealthy family, he had no trouble borrowing some money and purchasing other goods on credit. Quickly he bought all the missing items: a new tallis for the chosson and food and drinks for the wedding feast! Soon the chosson and kalla were brought in and the Ropshitzer set a lavish banquet before them. Then he got up and stood himself on the table in front of all assembled and he began to recite badchonus – grammen, rhymes, jokes and all manner of witty and clever songs and dances to bring cheer to the crowd and a smile to the lips of the chosson and kalla! Everyone was overjoyed and there was great simcha!
(The sefer Ayala Shelucha describes one of the gematrias that Rav Naftoli employed during his badchonus, how he blessed the couple that their union should be beautiful and good – der zivug zol oleh yafeh.)
Meanwhile, Rebbe Reb Elimelech was expecting Rav Naftoli to come back, but after waiting he told his shamash that he had no choice but to daven Maariv, even though he could see it would not be successful. He then said that he would eat supper, but delayed in favor of reciting Tikkun Chatzos, mourning the destruction of the Bais HaMikdosh. However, this tefilla too was unsuccessful and Rebbe Reb Elimelech was left dissatisfied with his unsuccessful attempts at Maariv and Tikkun Chatzos. The Rebbe was downcast
