During the days of Rav Shmuel Shmelke of Nikolsburg, a severe decree was issued against the Jewish people. As he held the prominent position of Rav in the region, he was compelled to travel to the royal capital to petition the king for the decree’s annulment.
It was late winter, during the snow thawing, when rivers and lakes overflowed, making travel perilous. The roads were filled with mud, and long journeys were particularly unsafe. Nevertheless, the urgency of the situation required action. Rav Shmelke declared that the decree involved pikuach nefesh (danger to lives), obligating him to act with messirus nefesh.
During his journey, he had to cross a large river near the capital. It was swollen with chunks of ice and snow cascaded into it from nearby mountains. No boat dared attempt the crossing; all vessels remained anchored onshore, waiting for the thaw to subside. Despite the dangers, Rav Shmelke pressed forward, trusting in Divine providence, to fulfill his mission of saving the Jewish people. His journey serves as a timeless example of messirus nefesh.
Rav Shmuel Shmelke could not afford to wait at all; he was in a great rush to reach the royal palace to advocate for the annulment of the dreadful decree looming over the holy nation.
His devoted talmid who accompanied him on the journey, the saintly Rav Moshe Leib of Sassov, zt”l, seeing his master’s deep anguish, proposed a solution. He suggested that they hire a small boat, which Rav Moshe Leib would personally navigate.
Lacking any other means to cross the river, Rav Shmuel Shmelke accepted Rav Moshe Leib’s advice. They rented a small fishing boat, boarded it with composure and tranquility, placing their trust in the Creator, the Master of all deeds, and set out across the turbulent river.
Many local non-Jews gathered and shouted warnings, exclaiming that this was a life-threatening endeavor! They declared that it was impossible to cross the river in its current state, swollen and overflowing with massive blocks of ice, especially in a small, frail fishing boat like theirs. However, Rav Shmuel Shmelke paid no heed to their cries. He embarked on the perilous journey together with his devoted talmid.
As they entered the raging river, their dire situation was quickly apparent. There was no way to advance; the entire path was blocked by enormous chunks of ice. The constant avalanches of ice crashing into the river intensified the waves, endangering their lives further. Their danger was so great it evoked the ruling from Bava Metzia (24a): “Whatever is swept away in the sea or a river’s current belongs to the finder, for the owners despair of recovering it.”
Seeing their plight, Rav Shmuel Shmelke stood in the middle of the tiny boat, now in the heart of the surging river. With fiery passion and deep attachment to God, he began reciting the Shiras Hayam, with Rav Moshe Leib fervently responding to each pasuk in a thunderous voice.
Suddenly, the boat found an open pathway in the middle of the river. They began progressing, navigating between the giant ice blocks. Miraculously, wherever the boat advanced, the ice blocks moved aside, as if clearing the way for them. It was as though the ice acknowledged the holiness of their mission, allowing the small vessel to forge a clear path.
The many non-Jews gathered along the riverbank were astounded and deeply moved. The miraculous event caused a great commotion. Wherever the boat traveled, people flocked to the shore to see the awe-inspiring sight with their own eyes.
The news spread quickly, reaching the gates of the palace. The emperor’s servants reported the wondrous event unfolding on the great river—two Jews miraculously sailing their small boat through as crowds watched in astonishment from the banks.
The wise emperor, intrigued by the news, expressed his desire to witness it firsthand. He went to the river with his esteemed entourage, positioned himself on the shore, and observed the scene with a telescope. He immediately recognized the two figures as esteemed Jewish leaders navigating the treacherous river with no sailor or guide, reciting prayers as they went. He saw the ice blocks moving aside and the waves calming as if bowing in reverence to them. With their fervent singing, the men advanced steadily over the river’s surface.
The emperor decided to wait until the small boat reached the shore to meet these remarkable individuals, angelic in their miraculous accomplishment.
The boat approached the riverbank safely, its bow aligning perfectly with the spot where the emperor stood. As the boat dropped anchor and came to a halt, the two great tzaddikim disembarked with joy and dignity.
As soon as the emperor saw Rav Shmuel Shmelke stepping off the boat, he recognized him instantly. The emperor was familiar with him as the senior Rav of the entire region and a leader of the Jewish diaspora, having met him several times. The emperor hurried toward him, greeted him warmly, and anxiously inquired why he had risked such a dangerous journey across the raging river when no living soul dared to traverse it.
Rav Shmuel Shmelke explained that he was compelled to act immediately and undertake the perilous journey due to the terrible decree issued against the Jews. The urgency and gravity of the situation necessitated an act of messirus nefesh for the salvation of Yisrael. He expressed profound gratitude to Hashem for the great miracles performed on their behalf during the journey, which had brought them directly to the emperor’s feet!
The great king was profoundly moved and impressed by the extraordinary miracles he had witnessed and began apologizing. He admitted that his ministers and advisors had misled him with false and deceitful reports about the Jews and now realized, from what he had seen, that the Jewish people were deeply connected to Hashem. They were willing to sacrifice themselves for Him, and in return, He performed great and wondrous miracles for them. The king thus immediately annulled the decree entirely, bringing great salvation to Israel.
Rav Shmuel Shmelke said that it is explained in the writings of the Arizal that in times of severe decrees when harsh accusations loom and no means of annulment seems possible, one must demonstrate messirus nefesh for the sanctification of Hashem’s name. Through such messirus nefesh, the decrees are nullified, and the Borei Yisbarach, saves us from the nations’ hands.
