It was the twilight hour of the beginning of Shabbat. The mundane atmosphere gave way, and the queen's Sabbath was about to spread her wings over the world and its inhabitants. In the synagogue of the Jose of Lublin, everyone stood in a silent afternoon prayer. This prayer, the last of the week's secular prayers, carries with it all the weekly prayers that were "stuck" on the way. The congregation has already finished its prayers, and only the tzaddik is still standing with his eyes closed. And suddenly, a thin smile comes to his lips – as if he has found a solution to a complicated problem. The students of the seer noticed, of course, the mysterious smile, and also decided to find an opportunity and find out its meaning. And indeed, at the end of the prayer, the students approached their rabbi and, with curiosity mixed with awe, asked to know "for joy what it does."
The seer begins with a story:
While I was standing in the afternoon prayer, I saw and behold, the angels from heaven were coming to me with complaints. "Nay," the angels claimed, "His glory blesses people and promises the blessing of Heaven in corporeality and spirituality, and it is incumbent upon us to fulfill them, for he is a great tzaddik and all the gates are open to him. But are we also obligated to listen to his rabbinical wife? How is it possible that she is spreading excessive promises, and we will be forced to fulfill them?"
I was interested to hear what it was about, and I learned that my wife was in an unbearable situation today. The shortage in our house reached such a severe situation that even Shabbat candles were not available for my wife to light, as she lacked two pennies to buy the candles. The Rebbetzin went out to the main street and hoped that she would find someone who would pass by at this unusual hour and would be willing to donate the necessary pennies to her. Of course, at this holy hour, not a single cart passed through the Jewish street of Lublin, and she almost gave up. But suddenly a fancy carriage arrived, drawn by elite and sturdy horses. At the sight of the Rebbetzin standing on the side of the road, the vehicle was ordered to stop. Through the window was the gentleman's face – his face was undoubtedly Jewish, but his entire appearance, his dress, his hairstyle, and the way he spoke testified that he is a Jew who had long forgotten that he belonged to the people of Israel. He is certainly now traveling to celebrate with his non-Jewish friends and to take another step away from His people and G-d.
"Madam, what can you do to help?" The master asked, "Two pennies, sir, for Shabbat candles, please..." The ringing of coins falling on the sidewalk is music to the ears of the Rebbetzin as the songs of the approaching Shabbat. She showered softly on the head of the generous traveler, who was already far away. "May it be desired..." The Rebbetzin murmured, "Thanks to these candles the light of Shabbat will shine for you. May you merit the light of Shabbat Kodesh..." "Is it possible?" the angels continued to rage, "to shine the light of the Sabbath on such a rude man that he never kept a single Sabbath? How does your wife have the courage and audacity to recite such a blessing?"
All eyes looked at the Tzadik with alertness, and he continued: "I also did not hide my claims and answered against them: Do you believe in the souls of Israel, a holy people? Do you know why this man turned his back on his people and his Creator? This is only because he has never tasted the taste of Shabbat Kodesh! Please try to see that if he tastes the taste of Shabbat, his heart will turn and become a different man."
On that Friday night, when the seer and his disciples were sitting at a Shabbat meal filled with songs of devotion and words of Torah, a strange guest suddenly entered and sat down at the end of the table. No one attached importance to his clothes, which conveyed profanity and alienation. Everything was focused solely on his face, which shone in the light of Shabbat Kodesh.
