Rebbe Yerachmiel of Peshischa (Przysucha, Poland) was born in 5544 (1784) to his father, Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Rabinowitz, known as the Holy Yid. He studied under the tutelage of his father and of the Holy Zaideh of Radoschitz. While his father was alive, Rebbe Yerachmiel earned his livelihood as a watchmaker. When his father passed away, he was succeeded by his preeminent disciple, Rebbe Simchah Bunim of Peshischa. Only fourteen years later did Rebbe Yerachmiel establish his own chasidic court, which was similar in nature to the other chasidic courts in Poland. Rebbe Yerachmiel’s Torah teachings included short, sharp-edged formulations, similar to his father’s, as well as a more popular style of Chasidut from the court of the Seer of Lublin. Rebbe Yerachmiel of Peshischa passed away on the 8th of Iyar 5596 (1836) and was buried in Peshischa.
In a village next to Peshischa lived an orphaned boy who had become a servant for his uncle. The uncle was a severe person and forced the boy to work hard. He allotted him little food and would beat him often. One day, the uncle’s clock stopped working, and he handed it to the boy, instructing him to bring it to town and have it fixed.
The boy went to Peshischa to look for the watchmaker. Passers-by pointed him to the home of the holy Rebbe Yerachmiel of Peshischa, who was also a watchmaker. When the boy saw the holy rebbe, he became frightened and wanted to run away. He thought that the passersby had misled him to make a fool of him.
“My son!” said Rebbe Yerachmiel. “What are you looking for?”
The shocked boy was so confused and embarrassed that he couldn’t get any words out of his mouth.
“Why are you embarrassed?” the Rebbe persisted. “Tell me what you want!”
The boy stuttered that he had a broken watch that needed to be fixed and a passerby had mistakenly directed him to the Rebbe’s home.
“Show me the clock,” said the Rebbe, and examined it carefully.
“Sit here while I fix it,” he ordered the boy.
The boy sat and the holy rebbe began fixing the clock. “Who are you?” he asked the boy.
“I am a servant for my uncle,” the boy answered.
“What is your situation there? Rebbe Yerachmiel continued with his question.
“My situation is very bad!” the boy answered and described how he was being treated.
“You have to leave him!” said the Rebbe.
“How will I sustain myself? I don’t have a ruble to my name,” the boy asked skeptically.
“You can rent an orchard from one of the locals that you know. He will give it to you on credit,” the Rebbe instructed.
“What will be my excuse for leaving my uncle?” the boy was concerned.
“Do something to upset him—twice. Then he will throw you out...”
