Harav Hatzadik Rav Yaakov Aryeh from Radzimin was born in Vorka in 1792 to his father, Reb Shlomo Gutterman, who was a tailor. His students included the Yismach Yisroel from Alexander and the Rebbe from Gostynin, Reb Yechiel Meir. In a small town called Buen, there lived a Yid named R’ Yisroel, who lived a comfortable life as a fisherman. Every Thursday evening he would put out his nets, and they would catch many fish for him to sell for Shabbos. However, one week the nets didn’t catch any fish. R’ Yisroel figured that this was bound to happen sometimes. However, when a second and third week went by and no fish were caught in his nets, he began to think about what kind of message Hashem was sending him.
He had a friend, R’ Kopel the Shochet from Buen, who was a very smart man, and went to consult with him. R’ Kopel told him, "Such a question can be answered by the Rebbe from Radzimin,” and since he was traveling there soon, he would gladly take R’ Yisroel along. R’ Yisroel, even though he was not a Chassid, thought that there was nothing to lose by going. So, they set off to Radzimin.
They were surprised to find that no one else was waiting to see the Rebbe. They both entered the Rebbe’s room, and R’ Kopel introduced R’ Yisroel. He told the Rebbe the dire situation in which R’ Yisroel found himself and explained that he needed a yeshua (salvation). The Rebbe turned to R’ Kopel and said sternly to him, “Does your friend need a translator that you had to come in together?” The Rebbe got up and showed them the door! An act like this was recognized by the Chassidim as a favorable sign that one was being blessed and would soon be helped. R’ Yisroel, however, was devastated, he prepared to leave. But as he was getting up to go, the Gabbai called R’ Yisroel and said that the Rebbe wanted to see him. R’ Yisroel composed himself and entered the Rebbe’s room.
The Rebbe greeted him very warmly. R’ Yisroel told the Rebbe his story, and the Rebbe said to him: “The reason that you have lost your Parnasah is because you have gone out drinking with the local Gentiles on Thursday nights, and because of that, you have missed Mincha many times. If you commit yourself to daven Mincha without fail, then Hashem will help you get back on your feet.” R’ Yisroel promised the Rebbe that he would do his best, and thanked him.
That Thursday evening, when the Gentiles invited R’ Yisroel to go out drinking with them, he refused and instead went off to daven Mincha. Hashem helped R’ Yisroel, and that evening his nets caught lots of fish. This success continued every week, and R’ Yisroel became very wealthy. He was able to marry his daughters to Talmidei Chachamim and had great Nachas from his children. As time went on, he forgot what he had promised the Rebbe. He became lax in his davening of Mincha, and again, the fish seemed to elude his nets week after week. This time he wasn’t too worried, as he still had a nest egg full of money, and he continued drinking with the Gentiles. But soon his wealth began to dwindle, and he reminded himself of what he had promised the Rebbe. He decided to do Teshuvah and davened Mincha with great Kavanah, just as he had previously.
R’ Yisroel was hoping that his mazel would improve now. However, things didn't change, and R’ Yisroel didn’t catch any fish. By now, he realized that Hashem was punishing him severely. He decided he would go back to the Rebbe, hoping that the Rebbe could be a shaliach (messenger) again for his yeshua. When he arrived at the Rebbe's house, the Gabbai, R’ Hershel, gave notice that after 1:00 AM the Rebbe would close his door and no one else would be able to see him that night. R’ Yisroel pleaded with the Gabbai to let him in, as he had come from afar and had already been waiting for many hours. When all of a sudden, the door to the Rebbe’s room opened up, and the Rebbe summoned R’ Hershel. When R’ Hershel came out, he told R’ Yisroel that the Rebbe was willing to see him.
This time, R’ Yisroel was embarrassed to face the Rebbe, but he softly explained his dire situation. The Rebbe looked at his kvitel for a long while and said, “Since you reneged on your promise, Hashem decreed that you should be poor again. However, if you promise again—this time with a strong determination—to be steadfast in davening Mincha, I will see to it that you should at least have a minimal livelihood.” R’ Yisroel accepted the decree and promised to follow the Rebbe’s instructions religiously. The next Thursday evening, R’ Yisroel spread out his nets and went to daven Mincha. After Mincha, he waited and waited, but no fish were being caught. As he was about to leave, he noticed that one decent-sized fish had just been caught in the net. He was thrilled that at least he would have some money for Shabbos. This went on each week. He caught just enough fish to have money for his basic needs, but he knew deep down that he would never be wealthy again. And thus, R’ Yisroel learned a powerful lesson about the importance of davening Mincha, because it is a true source of wealth.
