The Ahavas Sholom had a Chassid who was an innkeeper. His small inn and tavern were leased from the local Polish nobleman and after the Jew had paid the poritz, his parnossa was meager indeed. He was always late on his payments and was always coming to the Kosover Rebbe and asking for help. The Ahavas Sholom would, on these occasions, open his desk drawer and hand the Chassid whatever money he needed to pay off his debts.
When the Ahavas Sholom passed on, and his son the Toras Chaim took over as Rebbe, the Chassid continued to come and visit the new Kosover, yet now, when he described his financial woes and his need for funds, the Toras Chaim did not give him any money, only a berocha.
“Rebbe, what will I do with your berocha?” said the bewildered Chassid. “I need cash now! Your father used to give me the money I needed, not just a berocha!” said the exasperated Chassid.
“My father,” replied the Toras Chaim, “had a special berocha from Shomayim that his desk and his drawers should always help the needy and never lack funds. He could always open his desk drawer and find whatever he needed. I have not inherited this berocha and thus cannot do so, but don’t worry, the Cossack has plenty of money to spare – much more than I – and he will give you!”
And on that enigmatic note the Rebbe bid his Chassid farewell.
The Chassid did not understand the Rebbe’s strange references to imaginary Cossacks. He only understood too well that without the money he needed to pay the poritz, he was now in serious trouble. He went home sad and distressed. When his wife asked if the Rebbe had given him the money, the Chassid answered bitterly, “He is no Rebbe.”
He went sadly to sleep and was awakened suddenly in the middle of the night to the sound of loud knocking and banging on his front door. When he opened it, he saw standing before him a stranger, a tall Cossack who immediately told him, “I am in a rush to join the war and I had to leave in haste. I have no one trustworthy to guard my money until I return...if I ever come back, that is. When I asked around these parts for someone I could trust with my life they all said that you were the most trustworthy person. Here, take this money,” and he handed the bewildered Jew thousands of gold coins. “Safeguard it for me until I come back. If I ever come back, give it to me!” So saying, he left into the night without another word.
The Jew hid the money and the next day set out for Kosov. When he told the Rebbe the strange tale, the Rebbe smiled and said, “There is no longer any Cossack, and no longer any war. He is never coming back – the money is yours!”
Needless to say, the Chassid’s faith in his Rebbe was restored and he had plenty to pay the poritz. (Sarfei Kodesh 433–434)
