****** The Rav acknowledged from heaven the greatness of the Meor Einayim of Chernobyl!****
Harav Hatzaddik Reb Menachem Nochum Twersky of Chernobyl, also known as the the "Meor Einayim," a Sefer of Chassidic insights on the Torah and holidays. He was a student of the Baal Shem Tov and Rav Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezritch. He was a gifted and enthusiastic orator and one of the earliest propagator of Chassidus in Ukraine. He became the maggid of Chernobyl and the founder of the Chernobyl dynasty, which includes famous descendents, such as Trisk, Skver, Rachmastrivka, Tolne and more. His Yahrzeit is oeyg `''i 5547.
In the early days of Chassidus there was tremendous animosity towards the movement, as the greatest Rabbanim were unsure if this was an offspring of Shabse Tzvi who caused great damage to Klal Yisrael. The first Rebbe of Skver, Harav Hatzadik Reb Yitzchok, the grandson of the Meor Einayim told the following story:
One of the greatest Rabbanim was a staunch opponent of the Meor Einayim, and the hatred overtook his senses, that he would always cause the Meor Einayim pain and agony in whatever way he could. The Gadol had many students who were also giants in Torah and was a very successful spreader of Torah. His students followed his opinion on Chassidus. However of of his closest students, and a Gadol himself, had doubts, as he heard many sermons and insights from the Meor Einayim, and felt that he was missing out of something good.
He yearned to go visit the Rebbe in Chernobyl, but was afraid of of his Rebbe. As time passed on, and the name of the Meor Einayim emerged as a great person, and a Talmid Chacham, the student approached his Rebbe to ask permission to visit the Meor Einayim. He told him many insights and stories that he heard of the Meor Einayim, but his Rebbe refuted all and answered: “I forbid you to go visit the Meor Einayim as long as you are my student”!
The student was very fond of his Rebbe and respected his opinion. He was also afraid of of his Rebbe, and being happy with the Torah that he learned by him, he accepted the decree, and didn’t go to Chernobyl. He knew the Halacha to honor a Rebbe and respect his wishes, and accepted it. He continued learning by his Rebbe who gave him special attention and brought him to great levels in Torah. He wouldn’t want to cause agony to his Rebbe.
However, his Rebbe wouldn’t live forever, and soon after his Rebbe became very sick, and was on his death bed, the Gadol visited his Rebbe. He wished to depart from him. It was a dramatic and very close, and emotional dialogue between two very close people, and they discussed many aspects of Torah. Towards the end of the meeting, the Gadol admitted to his Rebbe that he admires the Meor Einayim, and that he is a great person, yet he listened to his Rebbe and never went to visit him.
He confided to his Rebbe that since he would be going to the next world where it is full of Emes, and the Rebbe would see if the path of the Meor Einayim is a good one, he has a request and said clearly: “I will not override my Rebbe’s decree even after he passes on, as a student is obligated to honor his Rebbe even after he is no longer alive. But in a world where the truth is relevant, I beg the Rebbe to let me know and announce from the upper world to me if the path of the Meor Einayim is a good one!”
The Rebbe admired the sincerity of his student and answered: “I see that you are a great scholar and mean what you say with sincerity and are looking for the truth, and since you were devoted to me and honored my decree, I promise and assure you that I would let you know your wish.” They gave each other blessings and the Rebbe closed his eyes and left this world!
The student waited patiently knowing that his Rebbe would keep his word. Finally his Rebbe came to him in a dream and stated: “As I arrived in heaven, I was sent to a respected place in Gan Eden, however I was in seclusion and unable to hear sermons of Torah from anyone, and was very sad as I always wanted to hear new insights in Torah. One day there was commotion in heaven and the angels announced the arrival of the Meor Einayim. They said that in his honor, he would deliver insights in the heavenly Yeshiva for 30 days, and all are neshamos must attend. I also came to the yeshiva, but an angel at the door told me that since I caused much pain to the Meor Einayim, I must stand on my feet outside, and listen to the insights of the Meor Einayim. With this punishment I would be forgiven. I accepted the decree, and grateful to be rectified.”
The Rebbe continued to his student: “I was amazed at the greatness of the Meor Einayim’s Torah, and saw that his path is a good one, therefore, I now allow you to follow in his path.” His Rebbe then said farewell.
The student became a follower of the Meor Einayim’s son HaRav Mordechai the next Maggid of Chernobyl.
