How the Heilige Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz ztz"l Became Famous Through an Esrog

The Heilige Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz ztz"l lived in deep concealment, hiding his scholarly brilliance. He served Hashem while living in extreme poverty, unnoticed by those around him. His wife survived on whatever charitable Jews brought her, and this went on for several years.

One year, a severe winter disrupted the growth of Esrogim. The few that grew were blemished with holes and unfit for ritual use. Merchants set out to search far and wide, but had no success. The Jews of Koritz were heartbroken at the thought of being unable to fulfill the mitzvah of the Esrog. When Reb Pinchas heard how distressed the community was, he could not contain himself and told them not to worry, for he would have an Esrog for the festival that year.

The townsfolk were astonished by his words, as no one considered him a prominent figure, and some even laughed at him. Yet Reb Pinchas maintained that he would have a beautiful Esrog that year. They continued to mock him: if the wealthiest community members could not afford or find one, how could a destitute man obtain an Esrog? Unfazed by their reactions, Reb Pinchas returned calmly to his Gemara, immersing himself in a complex Talmudic topic.

As the High Holy Days arrived, a wealthy man managed to acquire a kosher Esrog at an exorbitant price, relieving the community somewhat, as they could now at least fulfill the mitzvah through him. As Succos drew closer, people mockingly asked Reb Pinchas if he had obtained his Esrog yet. He replied that with Hashem's help, he would indeed have a beautiful Esrog that year. On the morning of Yomtov, Reb Pinchas still had no Esrog, yet he held firm to his conviction while others laughed.

The Shul finished the morning prayers, and Reb Pinchas was just concluding the silent Shemoneh Esrei, when a Gentile arrived at the synagogue searching for Reb Pinchas. He handed him a bound lulav alongside a splendid Esrog. Reb Pinchas went into the Sukkah, recited the blessing, and performed the ritual wavings (na'anu'im) with immense joy of the mitzvah. When he entered the main sanctuary with the Four Species, the Shul was stunned to see that Reb Pinchas indeed possessed a exceptionally magnificent Esrog.

Overcome with regret for having mocked him, the congregants approached Reb Pinchas after services to seek his forgiveness. He forgave everyone wholeheartedly and even allowed them to use his Esrog to perform the mitzvah. In a single moment, the community's perspective on Reb Pinchas was transformed; obtaining the Esrog was extraordinary enough, but his generosity in sharing it proved he was no ordinary man.

After the holiday, they asked Reb Pinchas how he had managed to secure the Esrog. He revealed that he had a close friend in Zaslav whom he knew from their time in Mezritch with the Holy Maggid. The friend regularly visited him for a blessing before business trips. Immediately after Pesach, when the friend was preparing to travel to a distant fair abroad, Reb Pinchas blessed him and added a request: while abroad, he should seek out a few beautiful Esrogim, set one aside for himself, and send one to Reb Pinchas for Succos. The friend agreed. Although surprised by a request for a Succos Esrog right after Pesach, the friend trusted Reb Pinchas's words. He searched in that distant land and found several beautiful Esrogim. By the month of Elul, he headed home, intending to deliver the Esrog in person. However, several delays along the journey caused him to arrive home only on the eve of Succos.

Realizing he could not deliver the Esrog and lulav himself in time, he bound the species together with myrtle and willow branches, packed them securely, and sent a Gentile messenger to deliver them to Reb Pinchas. All of this Reb Pinchas had foreseen through his holy vision. Astounded by this revelation of open Ruach HaKodesh (Divine Spirit), the community accepted him as their Rebbe. Thus, Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz became renowned, was blessed with abundant sustenance, and attracted countless Chassidim seeking his blessings and salvation.