In Part II of Megillas Eivah, Rav Heller’s son Shmuel writes:
I will be brief and record these events in order to demonstrate to all of Klal Yisrael just how great is the power of dispute and machlokes and how many sins controversy cause, in order that a person should greatly distance himself from this, as far away as possible. . .
In 5385 (1625), when my father was still the Av Beis Din in Vienna, he sent me off to study in Metz, France at the yeshiva of the gaon Rav Mordechai ben Rav Moshe Luria, Av Beis Din of Worms. I studied there for four years until 5389 (1629). On Rosh Chodesh Sivan, I received a letter from my father, who was now Av Beis Din in Prague, asking me to come home . . . I made my way home on foot along with other yeshiva students. . . I arrived in Vienna happy of heart and carefree, unaware that my holy father sat alone, imprisoned in one of the jail cells of this very city waiting to stand judgment for a capital offense punishable by death! In this manner, see how Hashem prepared the remedy and the cure before striking the blow, and how Hashem arranged the turn of events so that a wondrous thing would occur through me that would later set in motion and secure my father’s release. Before I entered the city, I lay myself down on some green turf to rest a bit by the forest in an area often used for pleasant outings and day trips by the citizens of Vienna. That day, the place was peaceful and quiet; I had it all to myself because there was some great festival and parade taking place in Vienna.
I placed my bundle beneath my head and I imagined who I might visit first, knowing that my father had served here previously as Av Beis Din. Surely I would be warmly welcomed and received by his many friends. As I lay daydreaming I heard a loud cry for help, “Help us, save us, or we shall be lost!” I looked and saw a wild bull chasing after a young noblewoman and a young nursemaid with a boy in her arms. They fled, running away from the charging beast. The wild bull was only several kilometers distant and gaining on them in wild anger due to the waving of the red kerchief the nursemaid had tied round her neck. Bulls will charge in anger when they see red waving, as is well known. As soon as I saw this I ran forward, untied and pulled the kerchief off and cast it aside at the feet of the charging bull. The bull attacked it and proceeded to tear it to shreds with his horns while the women hid behind one of the trees. At that moment a carriage arrived with the young noblewoman’s husband dressed as a nobleman in silk and finery and bearing a coat of arms. The carriage had a woven coat of arms as well. The women approached and explained what had happened and pointed at me, introducing me as their rescuer. The nobleman explained that he was the French ambassador, and apologized for not speaking German. He spoke to me in French and inquired as to my name and identity. [See now the Divine Providence] In the four years I was away in Metz, France I learned the French language, so I responded that I was a Jew and the son of a great rabbi. The Ambassador invited me to his home and wished to reward me handsomely. I declined, so he asked how he could repay my kindness and good deeds. I answered that my reward should be that if ever he would think well and good of the Jews and see that we do good without hope or desire of a reward, that this good thought would suffice. The nobleman insisted that he would be at my service should I ever require it and that I would always be considered a good friend. He said, “Since the Jews are often persecuted and downtrodden in this country, perhaps one day you will need my services since, as the French Ambassador, I have power and influence. If you ever need anything, please come see me so I can thank you and repay your kindness.” We parted in friendship, after he inquired where I learned such good French and having given me his address and his thanks, regretting that I was a Jew and they could do no more for me to better me and my station. He, his wife, the nurse and the child continued to Vienna to join in the merry making and parade while I took up my bundle and went to the Jewish quarter of Vienna. . . I decided to visit my maternal uncle, my mother’s brother Rav Baruch Zatruner. . . They began to cry and it wasn’t long before the entire matter of the accusations against my father of false slander and libel, and his subsequent imprisonment was made known and revealed to me. . . I sat dazed. . . I visited my father. . . after I met with the community leaders and learned of the news and how things stood. I went straight to see the French Ambassador. . .“I beg your honor repay my heavy debt, for I only saved three lives and I asking you to save the lives of my father and all the members of the Jewish community.” As I said these words, I fell at his feet, soaking them with tears. . . “I praise and thank the Creator I shall not remain long in your debt. Your father shall live and the community shall be saved . . .” Immediately I sent word to my father through his defense counsel, as Rav Hena was permitted to visit him at all times. None of the Jews of Vienna slept that night for fear of my father’s life and that we would all be expelled and exiled. . . The ambassador appeared after a half hour’s wait that seemed like a lifetime and said, “Dear son, your father shall live and your community will not be expelled. They have shown mercy, not one person will be forced to leave their home, and they commuted your father’s death sentence to a fine.” (Megillas Eivah Part 2)
