Home of the Rebbe in Husyatin
Graf Gulchovsky possessed numerous towns and villages across Austria and was a very wealthy individual. In Galicia, he also held seven towns. Because he was an Ohev Yisrael and respected Jews, he hired a large number of them, who helped his firm succeed. In times of need, the Graf was there to support the Yidden no matter what.
Due to his wealth, he was able to join the Austrian Parliament, the Reichstag, and he grew close to King Franz Yossef. The son of the Holy Rizhiner, Harav Yisrael Friedman, the Great Rebbe Rav Mordechai Shraga of Husyatin, was niftar on 22nd of Iyar in 1894.
The King was Saddened by the Death of the Rebbe
Articles about the Rebbe, who was also well-liked by the Goyim, appeared in newspapers all over the nation. The King received the sad news. Graf Gulchovsky was called by the King, who was present at the Reichstag conference during this period. When the Graf replied negatively to a question about whether he knew the Rebbe from Husyatin, the King was taken aback to learn that Husyatin was one of the towns in his territory.
The King started telling tales of the Rebbe's brilliance and his radiant holy face, saying he would never forget such a face. The Graf pledged to get to know the Tzadik's family. The Graf himself visited Husyatin accompanied by a group of Jewish laborers.
Upon reaching Husyatin, they discovered that Harav Yisroel, the son of the Rebbe, had assumed his father's role. The Graf requested a formal appointment with the Rebbe's son because he was eager to meet him. The Graf told the Rebbe throughout the encounter how much the King admired his father. He told the Rebbe that many Jews worked for him and that he always assisted the Jews.
The Rebbe Thanked the Graf for His Kindness to the Jews
The Graf was commended by the Rebbe for his kindness toward the Jews and for his good comments. After expressing his admiration for the Rebbe, the Graf promised to always be at his disposal. After they parted ways, the Graf sent a driver and an aristocratic wagon to the Rebbe’s home to support the Rebbe on his travels. The Rebbe used this wagon, which the Chassidim recall.
One year, the Graf summoned all of the notables and dignitaries from the region to a massive birthday celebration. The Rebbe received a personal invitation to the celebration because he was close to the Graf. The Rebbe replied that he couldn't attend the celebration but that he would see the Graf in his garden later because he knew there would be too much drinking and partying.
The Graf was quite happy, and a meeting was scheduled. The Graf was anxious but also very excited about the meeting. He addressed the Rebbe with great warmth. The Graf was trying to show the Rebbe something spectacular, but he was at a loss for ideas. At last, he realized that somewhere among his valuables was a very costly gift he had received but had never shown anyone. With the unique key in hand, the Graf trusted his servant to unlock the safe and retrieve the pricey antique jewelry for the Rebbe.
The servant should not take long to bring the antique jewelry, the Graf apologized to the Rebbe. The Graf requested that the Rebbe stay, so he complied, saying he would wait until the servant returned. Meanwhile, the servant was unable to open the box and thought he was given the wrong key.
The Graf was Shocked by the Key’s Failure to Open the Lock
The Graf was sure that this was the right one and excused himself to try and open it. The Graf was shocked that the key did not open the box. He returned to the Rebbe and apologized and asked the Rebbe to wait until he checked out if this was the correct key or not!
The Rebbe answered that it was getting late and he needed to return home. He thanked the Graf for his time and willingness to share his precious gift with the Rebbe. The Graf was quite disappointed because he wanted to impress the Rebbe by showing him the great treasure. Regretfully he thanked the Rebbe for coming and promised the Rebbe that he was always available to help him and all the Jews.
Meanwhile, Graf was puzzled as to why the box didn’t open. He was positive that this was the correct key. The Jewish workers were keen to later relate that they went along with the Graf to open the box and to the dismay of the Graf and the others; the key was the correct one and the box opened up. The Graf took out the piece of jewelry and showed it to Jewish workers.
The Jewish Workers Understood Hashem’s Reward to the Rebbe
To their amazement, they saw that this jewelry was an antique cross that the Graf received from the Pope! The Jews now understood the divine hand of Hashem and didn’t want to make the eyes of the Holy Rebbe impure. Hashem made a miracle that the box didn’t open. Holy eyes can only see pure and holy items.
The Tiferes Shlomo of Radomsksays: When a person guards his eyes, Hashem will guard him from all trouble and sorrow.
Reprinted from the Parshas Beshalach 5784 email of Pardes Yehuda.
