When Rabbi Yehuda Leib Segal of Vitebsk took Rabbi Shneur Zalman, founder of Chabad Chasidism, as a son-in-law, Rabbi Shneur Zalman was already known as a remarkable prodigy. As the father-in-law of such a promising young man, Reb Yehuda Leib expected to receive a great deal of pride and pleasure from the new member of his family. Before they were married, he promised to support the couple for many years so Rabbi Shneur Zalman could continue learning without distraction.
For a while everything went according to plan. Rabbi Shneur Zalman studied Torah night and day, and everyone was satisfied with the arrangement. People marveled over the illustrious husband Reb Yehuda Leib had found for his daughter, Rebbetzin Shterna Sara. But later, when it became known that Rabbi Shneur Zalman had traveled to Mezeritch and had "fallen in" with the Chasidim, his father-in-law was furious. All his hopes for honor and prestige were dashed before his eyes. Many rabbis had excommunicated the fledgling Chasidic movement. To Reb Yehuda Leib, it appeared as if his son-in-law had abandoned the proper path.
People tried to convince Rabbi Shneur Zalman of his folly, but to no avail. The young groom persisted in following the ways of Chasidism and influenced others to do the same. He refused to consider changing his mind.
When Rabbi Shneur Zalman's father-in-law realized that being nice wasn't working, he demanded that Rabbi Shneur Zalman divorce his daughter. Rabbi Shneur Zalman agreed to give her a get, provided it was what she really wanted. But Rebbetzin Shterna Sara insisted that there was no reason to divorce. In her opinion, her husband was righteous, his conduct was entirely in keeping with the Torah; he was completely innocent of wrongdoing, and everyone was persecuting him unjustly.
One of Rabbi Shneur Zalman's practices was to pray at length on Friday nights. By the time he came home from the synagogue, everyone else in the household had already eaten and gone to sleep. Only the Rebbetzin would wait up for him to hear Kiddush.
One time, Rabbi Yehuda Leib decided to teach his son-in-law a lesson. After their Friday night meal, he locked up all the food, wine and other drinks in the house so his son-in-law wouldn't be able to make Kiddush. For extra measure, he even put away all of the drinking glasses.
That night, Rabbi Shneur Zalman was greeted by the Rebbetzin, who tearfully explained what her father had done to punish him. Although she had conducted a thorough search, she was unable to find anything over which it was permissible to make Kiddush.
Rabbi Shneur Zalman told his wife not worry, and started to look around for himself. Their efforts paid off. In the cellar they found a bottle of vodka that Reb Yehuda Leib had overlooked. And without any wine available, it was permitted to make Kiddush over the beverage of the country.
Now, however, they had another obstacle to overcome. With all the utensils and dishes under lock and key, they had no cup into which to pour the liquor. Furthermore, there still wasn't any food, and one can only make Kiddush in the same place as the meal. Without food for a meal, the Kiddush wouldn't be valid.
But necessity is the mother of invention. A huge cup for ritually washing the hands was transformed into an impromptu Kiddush cup. Rabbi Shneur Zalman filled it to the brim, recited Kiddush, and drank.
Afterwards, relying on the Jewish legal opinions that an additional cup of wine may substitute for a meal, and that the beverage of the country may be used instead of wine, Rabbi Shneur Zalman downed another reviis (approximately 4 ounces) of vodka to fulfill his obligation.
The next morning, the Rebbetzin's father asked if her husband had finally learned his lesson, and was very angry when the Rebbetzin told him what they had done.
"I suppose your husband got very drunk and went right to sleep," he said mockingly.
"On the contrary," the Rebbetzin replied, "it was then that I saw his true greatness. My husband stayed up the whole night studying Torah, the same as always..."
Reb Yehuda Leib was very surprised; but unfortunately, Rabbi Shneur Zalman's unique conduct that night did not improve their relationship.
Years passed. Rabbi Shneur Zalman had moved to Liozna and become world-renowned, attracting followers from all over the world. His father-in-law, Reb Yehuda Leib, had passed away, and Rabbi Shneur Zalman's mother-in-law asked Rabbi Shneur Zalman to move back to Vitebsk with all of his Chasidim. She was very wealthy, and promised to take care of all his needs.
Rabbi Shneur Zalman responded: The baby in his mother's womb is well taken care of. Physically, he eats whatever his mother eats, and is warm and snug and well protected. Spiritually, a candle is lit by his head, and he is taught the entire Torah. Nonetheless, once he emerges and breathes on his own, there is no turning back; he can never return to the womb. This is for two reasons:
1. he is now too big, and
2. his former place has grown too small...
Reprinted from Beis Moshiach magazine
