Rabbi Yom Tov Lipman Heller zt"l
Rabbi of Nikolsburg, Prague, Nemirow, Ludmir and Krakow
Author: Tosfos Yom Tov on Mishnayos
6 Ellul 5414
Rabbi Yom Tov Lipman Heller had a limp. But even so it never stopped one of the wealthy Jews to take him for a son in law for his daughter.
Once during the engagement the Chassan came to visit his future father in law. During his visit his father held a dinner for a high officer.
The officer made fun of the man for taking a son in law that was limping. But the man wasn't bothered and replied that one day he will see the greatness of the young man.
When the officer started speaking he noticed that Reb Yom Tov Lipman had fallen asleep. So he mentioned in his speech how the young groom had fallen asleep.
After his speech he turned to the Chassan and said, "Can you repeat my speech?"
The Tosfos Yom Tov started repeating the speech word for word in a language he didn't even know. In the middle of repeating the speech he added, "Look how the groom is sleeping during my speech." It was then everyone realized the young Chassan was a genius and although he never understood a word he still managed to repeat it word for word.
On one occasion he led a Din Torah (Jewish court case). When ruling in favor of one party the other party was very angry. So much so they went to the Keiser and told him that the Tosfos Yom Tov was challenging the authority of the king and even called one of his books as a king (Maadanei Melech).
The Keiser was so angry the Tosfos Yom Tov was arrested, taken to Vienna where he was tried for rebellion against the king and was sentenced to death.
The Tosfos Yom Tov had a son who was studying in the Yeshiva in Frankfurt and decided to come home to visit his father. He was walking with friends near Vienna when a French officer passed them in his wagon. The officer was wearing a red uniform. Just then a large ox approached, saw the officer in red and went wild. It was about to kill the officer.
The son of the Tosfos Yom Tov was very strong and managed to save the officer.
The officer asked him how he could pay him for saving his life. The young man replied that he didn't want anything, he was happy to have saved the man's life. The officer told him to write down his name and if he ever needs anything he should contact him.
As they entered Vienna the news reached the boy's ears that his father was arrested and sentenced to death. He immediately contacted the officer he had saved and asked him to try and help save his father.
The king changed the sentence and gave a very high fine instead. In addition the Tosfos Yom Tov was forbidden to live in any city under the rulership of the Keiser. He left to Poland where he was Rabbi in a few cities until he was offered to become the Rabbi of Krakow.
In Tach Tat (1648-1649) when the crusaders killed many Jews the Tosfos Yom Tov came out very strongly that the reason why the Yidden suffered so much was because they spoke in Shul during davening.
The Tosfos Yom Tov made a special Mi Sheberach recited in many Shuls nowadays with great brochos for people who don't talk during davening.
Many people who have undertaken to stop talking during prayers have witnessed major improvements in health, parnassa and lots more. There has been many miraculous stories of people diagnosed with cancer and after undertaking not to talk during davening they had a miraculous recovery.
May we all merit to appreciate the special gift Hashem gave us allowing us to daven, every day, three times a day and whenever we need. If we merit to appreciate this special gift and focus on our prayers we won't be interested in talking whilst busy conversing to Hashem.
