There was once a dispute between Rav Yitzchok of Radvil and the Ahavas Sholom of Kosov regarding one of the shochtim in Nadworna. When the Kosov Chassidim heard that the Apta Rav seemed to side with the Radviller, they decided to get the Apter to meet with their Rebbe, the Ahavas Sholom, instead.
One day, they heard that the Apta Rav was on his way to meet Rav Yitzchok of Radvil and they set out to put their plan into action. It was well known that when the Apta Rav traveled he used no passport to cross borders; instead, he always carried a mezuza with him and showed this at the crossing to the gentile guards, who would examine his pass and then wave him on.
This time, however, there was a problem. When the Apta Rav presented his mezuza-passport, the border guards arrested him and took him for questioning to Kosov. This was because the border guards were none other than the Ahavas Sholom’s Chassidim, disguised as border guards manning an imaginary border crossing.
In Kosov, a lavish welcome had been prepared at the Ahavas Sholom’s home to welcome the guest from Apt. When the Apta Rav realized that he had been fooled, he was very angry and upset. He took two cups of mashke and asked the Chassidim who were dressed as guards to drink them. The Toras Chaim, the Ahavas Sholom’s son, realized that if the Chassidim drank the cups of wine, the Apta Rav would send them away from this world as a punishment.
“Don’t drink the wine!” he warned them, and he blocked the Chassidim and covered the cups, preventing them from drinking.
“Who is this young man who thinks he can interfere in matters not his own?” asked the Apta Rav.
“Chaim’nyu!” chastised the Ahavas Sholom, “stand up so the Rebbe can see you properly!”
When the Apta Rav’s gaze fell on the Toras Chaim, he was greatly impressed and he left the matter as settled. (Sarfei Kodesh 429–431)
