By Yehuda Z Klitnick
Rav Baruch Sternschuss was among the prominent Chassidim of Harav Menachem Mendel Hager, known as the Tzemach Tzaddik of Viznitz (1830 - 1884). He related this story that happened to his uncle, Rav Chaim Sternschuss. Rav Chaim was a merchant and had business ties in many countries, and therefore traveled a lot. He was blessed with wealth, and also didn’t waste his time. He made sure to toil in learning, and was a Talmid Chacham. This contributed to his success, as he was well respected by the merchants, and he frequently told over “a nice Dvar Torah.”
Lemberg, a major city, was always thriving with fairs and markets, and as such, Rav Chaim frequently traveled there. The Rav of Lemberg at the time was the great Rav Yosef Shaul Natanson, author of Responsa Shoel Umeishiv, as well as of Divrei Shaul and other seforim (1800- 1875). Rav Chaim went to the shul where Rav Yosef Shaul davened, and it came about that they immersed themselves in a discussion in learning.
Being Talmidei Chachamim, they spoke for a few hours in heated debate. Rav Yosef Shaul asked a question, Rav Chaim answered, and so forth. After a few hours had gone by, without realizing the time frame, Rav Yosef Shaul the merchant and asked Rav Chaim: who was his Rebbe? He answered that he was a Chosid of the Viznitzer Rebbe.
Rav Yosef Shaul smiled and said: “I will tell you a beautiful story showing the greatness of your Rebbe.”
The Chassidic synagogue in Viznitz
Rav Yosef Shaul continued: “In Lemberg there is a resort area where many Rabbonim and Rebbes come to rest and use the warm spas. I have noticed that some Rabbonim don’t necessarily go just for pleasure. Many Yidden who come there are relaxed and ready to discuss anything. This is the perfect time for bringing them closer to Hashem with Divrei Chizuk and Mussar, which really works wonders!
“A wealthy Yid from Russia, a Talmid Chacham, was at the resort at the same time as the Viznitzer Rebbe, and they really connected to each other in learning. The Yid was so excited with the time spent with the Rebbe, that he made sure to come every year to the resort at the same time that the Viznitzer Rebbe came. One year, someone proposed a shidduch for the daughter of the Russian Yid.
Since he was wealthy, a very good boy from Lemberg was offered to his daughter, and a large dowry was set. Being wealthy, he had no problem in promising such a dowry. The Yid met the boy and saw that he was a good learner and the shidduch was made. The contract was written up, and the dowry and presents were to follow in due time.
The Yid came home with the good news that his daughter was engaged to a special boy from Lemberg. He told his wife that the dowry and presents would be forthcoming soon. Hashem had other plans however, and slowly he began to lose money in his dealings, until he lost all his money!
Meanwhile, the boy’s father began to inquire when the presents and dowry would to be delivered to them in Lemberg. However, the letters were not answered, and therefore a warning letter was sent, stating that they would cancel the shidduch if there was no response! The Yid from Russia had no choice, and answered that he would be’ezer Hashem, bring the dowry and presents to the wedding, and the plans for the wedding should proceed.
The boy’s father was satisfied, as he knew the Yid was a wealthy and prominent Talmid Chacham, and he answered that he would be setting a day for the wedding. The date of the wedding was approaching. The Yid felt that since he was very close to the Viznitzer Rebbe, and the Rebbe was known to be a big Baal Tzedaka, he would make a stop in Viznitz on the way to Lemberg, and the Rebbe would help him out with the expenses of the wedding.
The family came along, and while in Viznitz they went to a hotel to rest, and the Yid went to visit the Rebbe, who was excited and glad to see him and immediately they began a discussion in learning. After a while, the Yid told the Rebbe that he was on the way to Lemberg for the wedding of his daughter and that he must come up with the dowry and presents; however, he is now a poor man and has no money to give for the wedding!
The Rebbe asked how much he needed, and he answered. The Rebbe gave him a warm bracha and told him to go "l'chaim ul’eshalom! The Yid was led out of the room, totally in shambles. How could the Rebbe do this to him? But then, something told him that the Rebbe would definitely be of help, and he calmed down. He now decided to make the trip to the wedding, and Hashem would help him.
The Yid picked up his family from the hotel and went to get the train to Lemberg. It was a long trip. When the family embarked from the train, the Yid heard that someone was looking for him. He inquired who it was, and he noticed two young Chassidim waiting for him.
He introduced himself to the Chassidim, and they told him to meet them at the Shul in Lemberg. The Yid had no idea what they had in mind; however, he went to the Shul. They told him, that they were Viznitzer Chassidim and the Rebbe sent them a message to deliver a package! When he opened it, he noticed that there was a large sum of money inside, and he thanked the Chassidim for the money.
At the hotel in which he stayed, he counted the money, and to his astonishment, the money was enough for the dowry and presents, as well as some extra! The Yid went straight to the Mechuten and paid the dowry and gave others the presents. The wedding was performed with Mazel. On his way back, he went to thank the Rebbe for his kindness. The Lemberger Rav concluded: To such a Rebbe, who knows how to give Tzedaka in a discreet manner, I would travel to him too!
Reprinted from the Parshas Devorim 5785 email of Pardes Yehuda.
