Rav Yeshaya of Kerestir brought a kiddush Hashem through the frosty weather
R' Yeremiah Hersh Berkovitz lived in the city of Gibárt, in Borsod-Abaj-Zemplén County, Northern Hungary, not far from Kerestir. He was a chosid of the heilige Rav Yeshaya of Kerestir and a financial supporter for the court.
In the city of Gibárt, the agriculture experts determined that the land was very suitable to plant and grow good leaves that can be used to make tobacco. The government decided that they would go ahead with the recommendation since this would bring them much-needed income from the tax they would collect from selling fine tobacco. However, the government knew that a very honest and trustworthy person had to be in charge in order to report the correct measure of how much tobacco was grown.
The next step was to test a sample crop. After the results were satisfactory, the government announced that it would be selling the exclusive rights to plant tobacco in Gibárt. This license would have to be renewed and reviewed every year. R' Yeremiah Hersh already had many fields in Gibárt, and the government knew of his honest dealings; therefore, the government approached him first. R' Yeremiah Hersh was excited at the proposal, and a contract was drawn up. The government provided the land and equipment, and R.' Yeremiah Hersh began to work on the project and planted the seeds. Hashem helped, and the first crop was a great success, producing tobacco leaves. The news spread far and wide about the special tobacco from Gibárt. The government was grateful to R’ Yermiah Hersh, and they were able to collect a nice amount of tax. R.' Yeremiah Hersh managed the fields for many years and became very wealthy. The government was very happy with Rabbi Yermiah Hersh, and they automatically renewed the license year after year to Rabbi Yermiah Hersh and didn’t announce in the newspapers the sale of the rights. In Gibárt, there lived a gentile who also had many fields in a different city and became jealous of R’ Yermiah Hersh. He lobbied the government to receive the license to plant tobacco in his fields and even offered a huge sum of money to get the privilege. However, to no avail, as the government was very happy with R. Yermiah Hersh and knew he was honest, they would not take a chance on someone they didn’t deal with. Therefore, they did not grant the Gentile the privilege.
The agriculture ministry had experts who understand when it was the perfect time to plant the tobacco so that the crop would be a success. In one year, the experts tested the earth and determined that it was necessary to plant the seeds. However, that day was the first day of Chol Hamoed Pesach. When the experts advised R. Yermiah Hersh of their results, he quickly realized that it was Chol Hamoed. Even though he could find leniency in being able to work on Chol Hamoed as Davar H’aavud—work that, if not done now, would result in financial loss—being a Chosid, he would not be lenient. He told the experts that he is a maven on planting and doesn’t agree with their opinion, and he said the planting can wait another week.
It was getting close to Pesach, and the officials asked Rabbi Yermiah Hersh what he decided? He answered that he does not see a difference if he waited a week. The arrogant officials told him if he did not agree with their advice, they would sell the privilege to the gentile who would heed their advice! R. Yermiah Hersh was not deterred and replied that the Torah forbade him to plant at that time. The government's experts were angered and announced that they were granting the privilege of planting tobacco that year to the Gentile.
R. Yermiah Hersh fully understood that if the Gentile had not been pushing to have the privilege, the government would have waited until after Pesach. He was hurt by the jealousy of the Gentile, but was consoled that in the merit of the mitzvah of sanctifying Yom Tov, he would not suffer any damages. R. Yermiah Hersh went to visit Reb Shayala in Kerestir and discussed the situation with the Rebbe, who stated, A Yid that follows the Torah cannot lose. You will see that a great Kiddush Hashem will arise from your act. R. Yermiah Hersh felt good that he did the right thing and prepared for Yomtov. He decided that Hashem would help him succeed in his other fields to compensate for the loss of the tobacco plants.
Passover arrived, and the gentile planted the tobacco seeds in the fields and dreamed of his success. Hashem had different plans, and a winter frost came that made the seeds and the ground soft, and as a result, the tobacco crop was a failure. The gentile was asked what happened to the tobacco. He answered that the frosty weather had ruined the fields, and if he had waited a week later to plant, it would not have happened! One of the government officials who was a religious Gentile remembered that R. Yermiah Hersh said that it could wait another week, and besides, the Torah forbade him to plant then. He told his colleagues that this was a punishment from God, which is why they lost all this revenue. They agreed that the wisdom of the Torah was wiser than their experts. The government apologized to R. Yermiah Hersh for his troubles and returned the privilege of planting tobacco as long as he desired to have it. This news brought about a great Kiddush Hashem in the city.
