One year, after the great Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev concluded his great and mystical seder with all his students surrounding his table, he fell into a deep sleep and dreamt a strange dream. In his dream, Elijah the prophet was conversing with other angels, giving them an account of the many Seders he saw in people's homes. He described the excitement of the innocent children as their eyes gazed at his cup during his visits.
One of the angels then queried him as to which Seder did he consider most significant and meaningful? Was it perhaps the seder of Rav Levi Yitzchok?
Elijah responded, “Rav Levi Yitzchok's Seder was indeed significant with the very deep and lengthy discussions and interpretations it including on the Haggadah, but it cannot compare to the Seder of Chaim the water carrier!”
In the morning Rav Levi Yitzchok awoke with a start, and jumped out of bed. He just had to speak with this water carrier named Chaim as quickly as possible! He thereupon sent one of his students to seek him out right away.
Eventually, the student found Chaim the water carrier in a run-down hut at the edge of the town, and brought him, in a daze, to Rav Levi Yitzchok's house.
Rav Levi Yitzchok welcomed the puzzled man, and offered him a seat. Then he asked, “Tell me, my good Chaim, what exactly happened last night at your Seder?”
Ashamed, Chaim lowered his gaze. “What kind of a Seder would you expect from me, an ignorant, simple fellow? Yesterday, the day before Pesach, was a very difficult work day. All the houses were being cleaned, and water was in great demand. I walked back and forth all day, trying to supply everyone with enough water. I laboured all day without even a moment of respite.
“At the end of the day, I arrived home, completely exhausted. My wife Rachel was just lighting the candles for Yom Tov, and I asked her to let me rest a little, and I fell into a deep sleep. She tried to wake me up several times but to no avail as I slept like a log. When I finally awoke, it was nearly dawn. Of course, I quickly woke Rachel up. There was no time now to read the whole Haggadah, so we quickly downed the four cups of wine, hurriedly gobbled up the Matzah and some Maror, and with whatever time I had left, I pleaded with G-d, Master of the universe! Please forgive me, as I'm just a simple and ignorant man.
“All I know is that You saved us once from the cruel hands of the Egyptians, and You liberated us from slavery. We are now unfortunately back in exile, so I therefore plea to you with all my heart to lead us out again into freedom!”
Having finished his story, Chaim expected the Rabbi to severely reprimand him for conducting such an improper Seder. But instead, Rav Levi Yitzchok gave Chaim a hug, and turning to his students he proclaimed, “while It is extremely important to follow the order of the Seder, we can now appreciate why this man's Seder was the most pleasing to Elijah the prophet.” Chaim, a simple Jew, in his one-sentence Seder, found such favour in heaven, because of the depth of his sincerity, and his commitment to try the best he could! This is what G-d and the angels appreciate the most!
