The Purim festivities in the court of Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin were truly something to behold.
Every year, hundreds of I would travel from near and far to attend the festive meal and to bask in the presence of their beloved Rebbe.
In the center of it all sat the Rebbe, delivering words of Torah, gladdening the hearts of all present.
From time to time the chasidim would burst into impassioned song, piercing the heavens with their voices.
One could feel the excitement in the air for a full month before Purim.
The talk in the marketplace, the street and even in the synagogue was only of the festivities to come and the preparations being made.
Young and old were involved in getting ready for Purim; the bolder among the chasidim would attend the festive meal in disguise.
This year, however, the mood in Ruzhin was more somber than usual.
The joy of the approaching holiday was intermingled with fear and dread, for dark clouds had begun to gather on the horizon of Russian Jewry.
The enemies of the Jews had been successful in persuading the czar to issue several anti-Semitic decrees, threatening their very lives.
The atmosphere in the Rebbe's court, however, was entirely different.
No anxious whispering was heard; the Rebbe had instructed his chasidim to prepare for Purim with even more enthusiasm than usual.
Their joy would annul the evil decree, he said.
Amidst this bustle of preparation it was rumored that Reb Chaikel, a husky butcher known for his strength, planned to attend the festive meal disguised as Czar Nicholas himself, the object of their dread. Purim day arrived.
The enormous study hall was filled to the brim.
The Rebbe's face shone with a holy light, as he and his chasidim left the mundane world with all its worries behind, thoroughly immersed as they were in the joy of Purim.
All of a sudden, however, a hush fell over the massive assemblage.
The door to the great hall opened, and in walked "Czar Nicholas." Attired in regal finery and bedecked with scores of military medals, the "Czar" was obviously in his cups, having reached that stage in which "he could not distinguish between 'blessed is Mordechai' and 'accursed is Haman.'" Everyone began to laugh, with the exception of the Rebbe.
The Rebbe's face was serious as he fixed his eyes upon the "Czar."
The "Czar" proceeded to make his way through the rows of tables directly to the Rebbe, haughtily pushing aside anyone who blocked his path.
Everyone was amazed when the Rebbe stood up and invited him to sit at the head of his table.
The "Czar" accepted the invitation and sat down, arrogantly glaring at the crowd as befits a Russian Czar.
The Rebbe motioned for the singing to cease.
All conversation stopped as the Rebbe and the "Czar" became the focus of attention.
"O merciful leader," began the Rebbe as he addressed the strange guest. "Do you not know that the Jewish people already suffered greatly? Now we hear that even greater evil is being plotted against us, and that even harsher decrees are being planned. I implore you," the Rebbe continued, "please search the depths of your heart and annul these terrible decrees!"
A murmur swept through the crowd.
This was the first time that the Rebbe was participating in the Purim levity! Yet the Rebbe's face remained oddly serious. Not even the hint of a smile broke his lips. He watched the "Czar" closely, waiting for his reaction with bated breath.
The "Czar" was silent for a moment, as if considering his words.
"Two of the decrees I will invalidate, but the third I refuse to annul."
A look of pure sorrow passed over the Rebbe's face.
"I beg you," he insisted, "please reconsider. The decree will cause untold difficulties for your Jewish citizens. I implore you!" the Rebbe cried.
It appeared, however, that Reb Chaikel was playing his role for all its worth, obviously pleased that the Rebbe was going along with the game.
"Absolutely not!" he declared. "The decree will not be revoked!"
The Rebbe continued to implore the "Czar," but all his words and tears were for naught. The "Czar" would not be budged.
Suddenly, the Rebbe arose from his seat, his face pale and his eyes aflame.
"Get out of here, you wicked villain!" he cried, pointing his finger at the "Czar." "Be gone, and let me never see your face again!"
It took only a few seconds to realize that the Rebbe was not jesting.
The "Czar," confused and disoriented, stood up and left the hall as possible.
Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin remained quiet, absorbed in his thoughts.
Everyone waited for him to speak. At long last, the Rebbe uttered a sigh. "If only the fool would have agreed to annul the third decree, it would have really been annulled. But the forces of evil were victorious..." he lamented. Reb Chaikel was led to his house, where he immediately fell into a drunken stupor. The next morning he had no recollection of the entire exchange. When told of what had transpired, he could not believe that he refused the Rebbe's request.
A few days after Purim it was learned that the first two decrees planned against the Jews had been retracted, but the third had indeed been signed into law. The chasidim then understood that far more than Purim entertainment had been at stake that year.
