Reb Moshe Leib Sassover skillfully brings a Holy Neshama to Yiddishkeit
The Rebbe Reb Moshe Yehuda Leib of Sassov was born in 1745 to his holy father Harav Yakov from Brodi and his mother Rifka. He studied for 13 years with Reb Shmelka of Nikolshburg and later by Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk. His Ahavas Yisrael and love for all creatures was second to none. He was also a great giant in Torah too. He authored the following seforim: l''nxd iyecig, l''nxd ihewil, l''nxd zxez.
He was the Rebbe of Reb Tzvi Hersh of Ziditchov, Reb Mendel of Kosov, the Yehudi Hakadosh, and the Butchache Rav. His Yahrtzeit is f''qwz hay 'c./
Rebbe Reb Moshe Leib Sassover traveled with his student Reb Yisroel of Pikov, the son of Reb Levi Yitzchok of Barditchev. Reb Moshe Leib informed Reb Yisroel, “I have many fine chassidim who own inns, and I would like you to meet some of them.” Reb Yisroel assented, and they both journeyed together when suddenly a heavy rain downpour fell upon them, soaking them through and through.
Reb Moshe Leib knew of a chossid that lived close by, and they went to his house. The chossid was delighted to see Reb Moshe Leib and invited the Rebbe to stay until the rain subsided. The chossid's home was very modest, consisting of one large room where his large family all slept there. They even made space for their cow to sleep in the corner of the room.
The Chossid, needing room for his special guests, took out the cow and prepared that area for his guests. Meanwhile, Reb Moshe Leib prepared himself to daven Mincha and Maariv. The Chossid’s wife was busy preparing some food for dinner.
Reb Moshe Leib was pacing back and forth, mumbling to himself, "Hashem, please do not disturb the simcha that will happen soon." Reb Yisrael didn’t understand what his Rebbe meant, but he knew that something very unusual was about to happen in this inn.
After dinner, the guests retired to rest. Reb Moshe Leib was always an early riser and prepared himself for davening and learning. He waited until Reb Yisrael awoke, and then they both davened Shachris. Meanwhile, the hostess was now busy preparing breakfast. The aroma from the kitchen was very soothing to Reb Moshe Leib. After Shachris, Reb Moshe Leib asked, “What was she cooking that smelled so good?” She answered, “a very special rice flour with milk." Reb Moshe Leib was enthusiastic at the hospitality of the chossid and his wife, saying that even though they were poor, they did everything with Simcha and with love.
Reb Moshe Leib ate the rice flour dish and told Reb Yisrael, “I am tasting here a taste of Gan Eden,” and gave some to Reb Yisrael to taste. Reb Moshe Leib was intrigued to learn where she obtained such high-quality rice flour. She explained, "I have a neighbor, a non-Jew, whose husband owns a mill, and she lent me the special rice that her husband had ground in his mill." Reb Moshe Leib inquired, "What kind of person is the woman?" to which she replied, "She is a brilliant soul." When asked about the husband, she described him as wicked, always seeking to harm his wife, causing her to seek refuge in their home until he calmed down. Reb Moshe Leib inquired if there was more rice flour, to which she responded, "She gave me all she had for my special guests." Concerned about the husband's reaction, Reb Moshe Leib asked, "What will happen when he discovers the rice flour is missing?" She replied, "He will surely attempt to harm his wife."
Reb Moshe Leib conversed with the chossid's wife, predicting the husband's violent reaction upon discovering the missing rice flour. He advised that when the neighbor sought refuge in their home, she would express her desire to convert to Judaism. He instructed them to accept her decision and persuade her to visit his house in Sassov.
After warmly thanking his hostesses and bestowing blessings upon them, Reb Moshe Leib returned to Sassov. As foretold, the neighbor arrived at their door, seeking safety from her husband. Overwhelmed with fear, she declared her wish to convert to Judaism. The chossid and his wife, recognizing the Rebbe's divine insight, assured her of their support and urged her to meet the Rebbe in Sassov. Agreeing to the journey, she met with the Rebbe that night, who recognized her spiritual potential and readiness to embrace Judaism. He wrote a letter to a Rav who should do the conversion, stating that this lady has a special neshama. She did as was told and that Rav converted her. She worked hard and became an Aishes Chayil, a Woman of Valor, and married a Talmid Chochom, and her children became great Rabbanim.
By now Reb Yisroel of Pikov understood what his Rebbe had meant: “do not disturb the Simcha that will happen soon”! The Rebbe labored tirelessly to guide a Holy Neshama to Yiddishkeit, bringing joy to Hashem. Everything unfolded according to the plan. Reb Yisroel was amazed at the open eyes of Reb Moshe Leib, who skillfully navigated the process of bringing the neshama to Klal Yisrael.
