There was a Yid named Oizer who lived in a small village. The Villager’s gave him a nickname “Oizerik” meaning a tiny Oizer, when in fact he was big and broad shouldered with tremendous strength. Oizer had a heart of gold and was always ready to help another person. The Jews and Gentiles alike from the village had great admiration for his kindness and good heart. Whenever anyone was in need for any time of help to carry something heavy, there was always Oizer willing and able to help, and with a smile.
Oizer earned his living as a peddler. He was very honest, would take from the villagers geese, chickens, eggs, and milk on credit, and once a week went to the big city market to sell his items, and when he returned he paid the owner’s.
One day, on his way to the market, Oizer encountered a group of young soldiers who seemed to be troublemakers, but thankfully they passed by without incident after he prayed to Hashem for help. However, one of the soldiers returned, insulted Oizer, and stole a goose from him. Oizer tried to reason with the thief to return the goose, as it doesn’t belong to him and will have to pay from his own pocket, but the thief tried to hit Oizer, but in self-defense, Oizer being strong hit the soldier with a strong jolt to his face, and he fell dead as a result. Oizer had to act quick and decided he will bury the soldier right there and no one will find out that he had killed him.
However just then, the General decided to count his soldier’s and noticed one was missing and sent his soldier’s to search for the missing soldier. Oizer was in middle of burying their friend and was caught red handed and brought to the General. Oizer tried to explain that it was unintentional but to no avail. He was arrested and went before a Judge. Oizer explained what actually happened and the Judge was compassionate and was lenient towards Oizer. He allowed him to post bail and be free until the date of the Court. Oizer thanked the kind Judge and Oizer posted bail, and was free for now.
Oizer heard of the heilge Tzaddik Harav Yisochor Dov Ber of Radushitz who was a wonder Rebbe and decided to travel to Radushitz. Oizer arrived in Radushitz, and headed straight to the Rebbe. Oizer poured out his heart and pleaded that the Rebbe help him, as a harsh sentence was awaiting him. The Rebbe listened intently as Oizer told his story. The Rebbe became very sincere and said “killing a soldier is a serious offense!” Oizer countered it was unintentional! The Rebbe meditated for a long while, and finally said: “I have a solution for you. Travel to Warsaw, and visit the Head General from the Army and ask him for leniency, and Hashem will help. Don’t worry about the Guards as Hashem will be with you.” Oizer thanked the Rebbe and with his Emunah in the Rebbe, traveled to Warsaw. At the residence of the Head General, Oizer approached the Guard and asked if he can see the General, as he had an important request from him. The Guard looked at him and said “Ok, I’ll let you in.” Oizer entered the courtyard and knocked on the door. A woman opened the door and when she saw Oizer she gave a warm welcome and said: “Hello Oizer what are you doing here?” Oizer didn’t recognize the woman and asked who she was? She answered I am the wife of the General! I was once your neighbor many years ago and you helped my family many times. Oizer recognized her, as she was from a very poor family who lived close by and now rose to great heights. The woman asked Oizer how can she help him? He told her that a soldier cursed him and wanted to take away his goose. After I pleaded with him, he wanted to hit me and I wanted to defend myself and gave him a thrust and he died. Now I am awaiting a court case at which the Judge can give me a harsh sentence. The woman told Oizer not to worry as she will speak to her husband to clear him of any wrongdoing.
She Spoke to her husband, and told him that she has known Oizer to have a heart of gold, and all the favors he had done to all the villagers and especially to her family. She said she was confident that Oizer was telling the truth, and it was done unintentionally. The General summoned Oizer to come to him. He asked him to repeat his story. Oizer told over the story exactly how it happened, the General stated: “I see that you are innocent, I want you to go home now, and I will arrange that the judge will vindicate you. Oizer thanked them and went back home. In a few weeks Oizer received the not guilty verdict from the court.
Oizer quickly traveled to Radushitz to thank the Rebbe. The Rebbe said it really helped you down the road, that you always did favors for the village. Shlomo Hamelech says in Koheles 11:1 t twwh ,kve)( i «¦M m ¦i® ̈O ©d i ́¥p §R l ©r −L §n §g ©l g¬©N ©W" EP«¤` ̈v §n ¦Y mi−¦n ̈I ©d a ¬x §a Send forth your bread upon the surface of the water, for after many days you will find it. Rashi explains this Posuk in a practical manner: For after many days you will find it. Days will yet come, and you will receive your recompense. Note what is said about Yisro (Shemos 2:20): “Call him that he should eat bread,” and he thought that Moshe was an Egyptian and that he would never see him again. What was his end? He became his son-in-law and reigned over Israel and brought him under the wings of the Shechinah, and his sons and grandsons merited to sit in the Sanhedrin.
