The Rebbe Reb Elimelech had the ability to know from Wednesday on who would be his upcoming guests for Shabbos. As soon as Rebbe Reb Melech felt that Rav Naftoli was traveling to Lizhensk for Shabbos he warned his gabbo’im and his shamash, “When the Ropshitzer arrives, do not let him into my rooms without my express permission!”
When Rav Naftoli arrived in Lizhensk, the shamash came straight to Rebbe Reb Elimelech to report on his arrival. When Rav Naftoli approached the threshold, Rebbe Reb Elimelech stopped him from entering through the doorway, and declared, “Here comes the son of that murderer!” and he slammed the door in his face, barring his entry. At that moment the Ropshitzer fainted.
Rebbe Reb Elimelech gave him some brandy to revive him and sent him on his way. The Ropshitzer took the remaining brandy with him and went to the Bais Medrash. There he found a throng of Chassidim in heated discussion about an upcoming simcha, a wedding to take place that evening between two orphans. The problem was that the chosson lacked a tallis as his gift and there were no drinks or food to be had! The chasuna was in danger of being canceled.
When Rav Naftoli heard this news, he went into town and, since he was from a wealthy family, he had no trouble borrowing some money and purchasing other goods on credit. Quickly he bought all the missing items: a new tallis for the chosson and food and drinks for the wedding feast! Soon the chosson and kalla were brought in and the Ropshitzer set a lavish banquet before them. Then he got up and stood himself on the table in front of all assembled and he began to recite badchonus – grammen, rhymes, jokes and all manner of witty and clever songs and dances to bring cheer to the crowd and a smile to the lips of the chosson and kalla! Everyone was overjoyed and there was great simcha!
(The sefer Ayala Shelucha describes one of the gematrias that Rav Naftoli employed during his badchonus, how he blessed the couple that their union should be beautiful and good – der zivug zol oleh yafeh.)
Meanwhile, Rebbe Reb Elimelech was expecting Rav Naftoli to come back, but after waiting he told his shamash that he had no choice but to daven Maariv, even though he could see it would not be successful. He then said that he would eat supper, but delayed in favor of reciting Tikkun Chatzos, mourning the destruction of the Bais HaMikdosh.
However, this tefilla too was unsuccessful and Rebbe Reb Elimelech was left dissatisfied with his unsuccessful attempts at Maariv and Tikkun Chatzos. The Rebbe was downcast and he reasoned that if both his Maariv and Chatzos had failed, perhaps he was guilty of some wrongdoing.
“There is a chasuna tonight; perhaps boys and girls are engaged in mixed dancing or some other sinful behavior and I need to protest,” he reasoned. “Please go and see if anything improper is going on and report back to me,” asked the Rebbe of his shamash.
Meanwhile, the Ropshitzer had dressed up as a hunchback and used flax to make himself a long, silly beard, and he stood disguised on the table engaged in badchonus, rhymes, jokes, dancing, and playacting. The shamash did not recognize him, but Rav Naftoli recognized the shamash all right! He jumped off the table, grabbed the shamash and began to dance with him until the shamash felt all his bones mending and straightening out. The shamash felt a great spiritual bliss and was drawn in, mesmerized by the performance, standing transfixed with no desire to go back.
Seeing that the shamash had left and not returned, Rebbe Reb Elimelech decided, “I must go myself and see what needs to be done!” When the shamash saw Rebbe Reb Elimelech approaching from afar, he quickly ran out to him and said, “Please, Rebbe, don’t go in there. It’s not honorable for your stature – there is some crazy lunatic in there who grabs random newcomers and dances with them on and on. Surely he will grab you too, Rebbe! Also, there is no improper behavior at the chasuna itself. Hearing these words, the Rebbe turned to go back home.
In the morning, the Ropshitzer barged through Rebbe Reb Elimelech’s door and asked, “So, Rebbe, how was your Chatzos last night?”
“Naftultshe, how do you know about my chatzos?” countered Rebbe Reb Elimelech.
The Ropshitzer answered, “We were together on high; they forbade Your Honor to enter, yet I was allowed access. The reason I was given a pass to enter is because I made everyone happy at the chasuna and in shomayim they did not want your mournful Chatzos to disrupt the simcha of the wedding.” (Gan Hadasim p. 7–10)
