By Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser
Two great tzadikim, Rav Mendel of Rimanov and Rav Yisrael of Apt (the Apter Rav) once wanted to learn from the great tzaddik, the Chozeh of Lublin. When they arrived in Lublin, they dressed in white garments as a sign of purity and humility. However, some locals were not pleased with their arrival, and they were suspected of being spies, and as such, thrown into prison.
Working on Their Yirat Shamayim
The next morning, the two tzaddikim appeared before the judge. When asked why they were there, they explained that they were working on their Yirat Shamayim and had come to learn from the ways of the Chozeh of Lublin.
The judge, seeing them dressed in white, asked why they were dressed that way. In response, they asked the judge, "Why are you dressed in black?"
The judge, infuriated, demanded, "Do you understand before whom you are standing?"
Rav Mendel of Rimanov calmly replied, "We understand exactly who we are standing before—the Creator of the world—and that is why we are not afraid of anything you are saying."
At that moment, Rav Mendel of Rimanov removed his shtreimel (traditional fur hat), revealing his full countenance, and the judge, seeing the holy aura of the tzaddik, grew pale and quickly dismissed the case, pleading with them to leave.
Reprinted from the Parshat Ekev 5784 edition of the Torahanytimes Newsletter.
