On Acharon Shel Pesach, tov-reish-samech-dalet, Rav Yisrael Chortkover told the following story of how Rav Zev Wolf Kitzes decided to travel to Eretz Yisrael. He came to his Rebbe, the Ba’al Shem Tov, for his farewell blessing. The Ba’al Shem wished him farewell and blessed him sheyisa lesholom – that he should go in peace. “However, Rav Zev Wolf, take care – know what to answer!“ he warned. Rav Zev Wolf wondered at his Rebbe’s odd remark and went on his way.
He boarded his ship and set off on his trip. During the journey, the ship stopped and anchored at a certain small island. Most of the seafarers went to purchase food and drinks and quickly headed back to the ship. Rav Zev Wolf, on the other hand, took the opportunity for some personal hisbodedus. So absorbed in dveikus was he that he failed to notice the ship leaving without him.
As he wandered forlornly, he discovered a path and followed it to a secluded little house. There he found an old bearded Jew who greeted him warmly and asked him why he appeared so downcast and upset.
“How can I not worry? My ship has set sail without me!”
“Don’t worry, Rav Wolf,” the old Jew assured him. “Here we have a minyan and a mikve; you shall spend Shabbos here with us. After Shabbos surely more ships will come and you can sail with them.”
And so it was that Rav Zev Wolf spent Shabbos there on the island. After Shabbos a small fleet of ships arrived and the elderly Jew accompanied his guest to see him off. Rav Zev Wolf was distracted and worried – would he be granted passage on this ship or would he be stuck here further? He was so distracted and worried that he paid little heed to his companion. The elderly Jew turned to Rav Zev Wolf and asked, “Rav Wolf, I almost forgot to ask you – how do the Jews fare in your land?”
“Hashem has not forgotten them,” Rav Wolf answered distractedly. “He forsakes them not,” and so saying, he thanked his host and boarded the ship. After the ship had set sail and Rav Zev Wolf had somewhat calmed down and gathered his wits, he began to think over what had happened and what he had answered his host.
“Oh no!” he suddenly exclaimed, remembering what the holy Ba’al Shem had admonished him to remember. “What have I done? What did I answer? Why didn’t I properly relay what life is like for us Jews in Golus – the exile, the sufferings, the wants and lacks and privations!?” He decided to forsake his trip to the Holy Land; instead, as soon as he arrived, he turned and quickly headed to his Rebbe.
When he arrived in Mezhibuzh and came to the Ba’al Shem, the Tzaddik greeted him and extended his hand in Sholom Aleichem, saying, “That elder was none other than Avrohom Avinu! Every day Avrohom Avinu stands before Hashem and says, ‘Ribbono Shel Olam, how are my children?’
“Hashem answers, ‘I do not forsake them, and here is proof: Rav Zev Wolf is traveling to Eretz Yisrael. He is an ehrlicher yid – ask him!’” continued the Ba’al Shem. “Had you told Avrohom Avinu about our plight, our suffering in Golus, Moshiach would have come and redeemed us! However, you did not properly heed my advice or pay attention to my words! Now Golus will continue, and in our sins the exile will be prolonged until Hashem has mercy upon us!” (Orach Tzaddikim Skver p. 344–345)
