It Happened Once . . .
One of the chasidim of Rabbi Shneur Zalman, the Alter Rebbe was a Melamed (teacher) who taught the children of a simple, uneducated villager.
When the month of Elul came around, the Melamed told the villager that it was his yearly custom to visit the Alter Rebbe for the High Holidays.
“I will return after the High Holy Days, with G-d's help,” he said.
The Villager was unhappy. He did not like the idea of his “rebbe” going to another “rebbe” and leaving at this time, anyway, for he had reckoned on the Melamed remaining to conduct the services for the High Holy Days.
The Melamed patiently explained to the villager that the Alter Rebbe was no ordinary “Rebbe,” but the head of many Rabbis, which was like the “head” which tells the rest of the body what to do.
The villager listened with interest, then suddenly exclaimed:
“Alright. If it's good for you to go to the Rebbe, then I'll go along too!”
The villager got prepared, readied his horse and buggy, and off they went to visit the Alter Rebbe.
When they arrived at the study hall, they found a large crowd of Chasidim already standing in line, awaiting their turn for “Yechidus” (personal, private audience) with the Rebbe.
The villager felt a little bewildered, but he decided to join the people in line and took his place at the end of the line. The Melamed, seeing that his “boss” was in the line, went to speak with some of his old friends.
When the villager's turn came to enter the Rebbe's study, he went in but remained silent, not knowing what he was supposed to say or do.
The Alter Rebbe looked at the newcomer, considered him quietly for a few moments, then gently said: “Nu?”
The villager still said nothing.
The Rebbe again said: “Nu?”
“Why do you keep on saying 'Nu'?” retorted the villager impatiently.
The Rebbe regarded the ignorant villager kindly and replied: “It sometimes happens that a Jew does certain wrong things, thoughtlessly or unintentionally, not realising that they were bad and sinful. For example...” And here the Alter Rebbe went on to give some such instances, which just happened to fit some of the villager's failings!
The villager was dumb-founded. “So, my fine teacher must have reported to the Rebbe about me! I'll teach him a lesson!” he promised himself, as he left the Rebbe's room, abruptly, in an angry mood.
Losing no time, he set off to find the Melamed. As soon as he saw him, he began abusing him in front of everyone.
“How dare you tell tales about me to your Rebbe!” he screamed. “After I treated you so well in my home! You're fired! I'll find another teacher in your place.”
“What are you talking about?” asked the Melamed, at a loss to understand why the villager was so angry and excited.
The villager then told him about the Rebbe's talk.
“You are mistaken. I haven't said anything about you to the Rebbe.”
“So, I see that you are not only a tale-bearer but also a liar,” cried the villager. “How else would the Rebbe know what I had done wrong?”
The Melamed, tried explaining to the Melamed, that a Rebbe is a divinely inspired being who can read another person's mind and soul. He was unsuccessful however in convincing the villager otherwise. He therefore asked for another audience with the Alter Rebbe to explain his dilemma. Not only was he upset that the villager should have accused him of carrying tales, but now he was without a job.
The Alter Rebbe then sent for the villager and told him that he had no reason to be angry at the Melamed. “The Melamed had not said anything about you to me,” the Rebbe assured him.
“Then how is it that you know about those things that I had done?” asked the villager, unconvinced.
“I never said that you did those things,” said the Rebbe. “I said it sometimes happens that a Jew does those things. How could I know that the 'cap fitted' you?”
“So, nobody told you...” he began, his voice trailing off in embarrassment.
Recovering, he turned to the Alter Rebbe and said in an eager tone, pleadingly: “Please, help me, Rebbe! I did, in fact, do all those things you mentioned. I am beginning to realise what a Rebbe is, and realise now that I have not been as good as I have imagined myself to be. I really will try harder, from now on, to improve my ways. Guide me please.”
The Rebbe spoke to him encouragingly, gave him some instructions, and assured him that the Almi-ghty would readily accept his sincere teshuva (penitence) and He would bless him and his family with a truly good year.
With a much lighter heart he hurried off to tell the Melamed that he was now convinced of his innocence, and that he would gladly welcome him back as a teacher for his children. From then on, there was no more loyal follower of the Alter Rebbe than the hitherto ignorant, simple villager, who now revered the Rebbe with all his heart and soul, and tried his best to live up to his expectations.
