The following story happened about four hundred years ago in the town of Cracow, which, at that time, had one of the most important Jewish communities.
The Jews were mourning the loss of their spiritual leader, and decided that for a community like theirs no ordinary Rabbi would suffice. Two delegates were chosen to tour the country and find a suitable replacement to serve as their rabbi.
After visiting many big towns and large Jewish communities, they at last heard of a young man who was said to be the "star of the age," a veritable genius. They lost no time in contacting this exceptional young man and found him to be an eighteen-year-old rabbi by the name of Rabbi Moshe.
Despite his tender years, they were immediately impressed with his brilliant scholarship, his gentle bearing and his humility. They were convinced that he was the man they were looking for and they finally got him to agree to become the spiritual guide and leader of their Jewish community to make the necessary arrangement for his reception.
At that time in Cracow it was the custom, a sort of courtesy gesture, for the Jews to call on the bishop of the town and tell him of the Rabbi they had chosen for their community.
Thus it was that a suitable delegation called upon the Bishop of Cracow and, in the most glowing terms, described the Rabbi they had been fortunate enough to find to become the spiritual leader of the Jews of Cracow. The bishop was visibly impressed with their description of Rabbi Moshe.
The delegates lost no time in making all the necessary arrangements for Rabbi Moshe's coming. And when the date was set, they notified the bishop as they had promised him.
Being rather fond of pomp and ceremony, the bishop had commanded that a band go on foot in front of the carriages, so that the entry of Rabbi Moshe should be announced by the beating of drums and the blowing of trumpets.
At long last, the carriage of Rabbi Moshe appeared. The bishop already had a picture in his mind of a sage and a patriarch. He was shocked when out of the carriage stepped a lad, with hardly a suggestion of a beard, thin, small, and not particularly impressive.
