A number of chasidim were gathered with Rabbi Yitzhak Meir of Ger, partaking of the festive meal after a brit mila, when the rebbe asked a certain chasid to relate a story about Rabbi Levi Yitzhak of Berdichev.
The chasid began: “One of the followers of the Berdichever Rebbe was a cattle dealer. And it happened that once when he had many heads of cattle to sell the market price dropped drastically. The chasid was worried about the heavy loss he would have to sustain, so he travelled to Berdichev to consult his Rebbe for advice in the matter and a blessing.
“When he arrived in the rebbe’s presence, Levi Yitzhak asked him, ‘Is there any particular mitzva with which you occupy yourself?’
“ ‘Yes, replied the man, ‘I am a mohel.’ [one who performs ritual circumcisions].
“ ‘And what do you do in the case that an infant bleeds heavily after the circumcision?’ asked the Rebbe.
“The man described at length the medications and salves he applied, and then the Rebbe responded: ‘I will give you a certain medicinal herb to use if you are ever, G-d forbid, in such a situation. If you apply this to the wound, it will stop bleeding immediately.’ And the Rebbe handed him some herbs.
“ ‘But Rebbe,’ beseeched the chasid, ‘what shall I do about the cattle?’
“But the Rebbe only replied, ‘I have already explained that if you encounter an infant who bleeds excessively, just apply the herbs and the bleeding will stop immediately.’
“The chasid didn’t repeat his question. He took his belongings and returned to his home.”
At this juncture in the story Rabbi Yitzhak Meir interrupted the story with a comment: “From the behavior of this man we can tell that he was a true chasid, since he didn’t persist in his questioning of the Rebbe, but simply assumed that the Rebbe’s words contained the advice he sought, although he didn’t as yet perceive the meaning in them.”
The storyteller continued: “The chasid stopped at an inn on his way home, and in casual conversation found out that the innkeeper’s infant son had not been circumcised. He was surprised and asked the reason for this. The innkeeper told him that his two previous sons had died because of excessive bleeding after circumcision. The chasid, remembering his Rebbe’s words, asked the innkeeper, ‘If I were to tell you that there existed a cure for this problem of bleeding, would you allow a brit to be performed on your son?’
“’If my son could be circumcised without the possibility of danger, I would be prepared to pay the mohel a sum of four hundred silver rubles.’
“’I have a very potent medication which will stop any bleeding. Allow me to perform the brit, and I will assume all responsibility. I will even give you four hundred silver rubles of my own, forfeit in the case of any problem, G-d forbid.’
“The innkeeper agreed on the stipulation that the mohel remain with them for a full month to watch the child, should any complications develop. The circumcision was performed, and in fact the child did bleed a great deal. But the mohel applied the herbs he had received, and all went well; the bleeding stopped at once. A few days after the brit, news reached the inn that the price of cattle had risen considerably. The chasid-merchant was anxious to return home and sell his livestock, but the innkeeper was adamant about their agreement, and refused to allow him to leave. Several more days passed, and word arrived that the price of cattle had gone even higher, and the chasid pleaded with his host to allow him to leave, as the baby was doing quite well. But the innkeeper was unmoved by his argument, and answered that a deal was a deal, and he must remain the full four weeks.
“After the entire month had passed the chasid left the inn. The grateful innkeeper paid him the four hundred silver rubles he had promised and also returned the other four hundred he had held on bond. The cattle dealer was able to sell his cattle for a price far greater than he had ever imagined, making an enormous profit.
“When the time came for his customary visit to Berdichev he happily presented his Rebbe with four hundred silver rubles to be used charity, saying: ‘Rebbe, this money rightfully belongs to you!’”
