Once, when Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of and first Rebbe of Chabad, was visiting a small town, a fire broke out. He asked to be taken to the site of the fire and, upon arriving there, stood leaning on his cane for a few moments. The fire quickly died down.
When the soldiers who had been trying to put out the fire saw what happened, they ran to their officer and told him about it.
"Bring the rabbi to me immediately," he commanded them.
When Rabbi Shneur Zalman arrived, the officer asked if he was perhaps the son or grandson of the Baal Shem Tov.
"I am not the Baal Shem Tov's grandson in a bodily sense," explained Rabbi Shneur Zalman, "but I am the disciple of his disciple - his spiritual grandson."
"If that is true," said the officer, "then I am not amazed at what took place today. Let me tell you a story," continued the officer.
"My father was a general, and once, when he and his troops were encamped in the town of Mezhibuzh, he was worried sick about his wife. He had not heard from her for some time. Seeing how upset he was, his friends advised him to seek out the Baal Shem Tov, known to be a holy man amongst the Jews.
"My father sent a message to the Baal Shem Tov asking to be received for an audience, but the Baal Shem Tov refused. Again and again he requested an audience, and each time the holy rabbi denied his request.
"Nearly out of his mind with worry, my father thought of a plan. He sent word to the Baal Shem Tov that if he refused once more, my father would force all the Jewish habitants of Mezhibuzh to billet his troops in their homes. Since it was nearly the holiday of Passover, this would have wreaked havoc in the Jewish homes. The Baal Shem Tov finally agreed to see my father so as not to cause the Jews any distress.
"My father entered the home of the Baal Shem Tov, and from where he stood at the entrance, was able to see the holy rabbi in his room studying. My father walked over to a nearby mirror to make sure he looked presentable. He was amazed to see in the mirror, not his own likeness, but a road which lead to the town where he and his wife lived. He called over his aide to witness this remarkable scene and the aide, too, saw the same thing in the mirror.
"As they continued to stare into the mirror, they seemed to walk along the path to my father's house until they finally reached the front door. The front door opened, and there was my father's wife sitting at the table, writing a letter. Looking more closely, they saw the letter itself. In the letter, my father read that his wife had recently given birth to a baby boy, and for this reason could not write more quickly. Both she and her son were well.
"My father was overwhelmed and overjoyed by the experience. He thanked the Baal Shem Tov profusely, and after some time, received the letter which his wife had written. He recorded in his diary the entire episode. I am that infant," revealed the officer.
