Reb Meir Raphaels, a leader of the Jewish community of Vilna, started out as an antagonist of the Chasidic movement. Eventually, though, he became one of the most enthusiastic disciples of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the first Chabad Rebbe. His transformation was caused in part by the following story:
A poor man was on his way to Rabbi Shneur Zalman. Thursday evening he arrived in Vilna, entered one of the synagogues, took out a Talmud and was soon immersed in it. He contented himself to spend the Sabbath in the synagogue.
Shabbat approached. The shul attendant noticed that the visitor was a scholarly person. He approached the visitor, "In our city there are many people who fulfill the commandment of hospitality with all their heart. You would be allowing someone to fulfill this great mitzva by agreeing to grace someone's Shabbat table." With much persistence, the attendant managed to convince the traveler to partake of someone's hospitality.
The Friday night meal was richly spiced with Torah discussions. The host, a wealthy and learned man, seemed more than pleased at the good fortune of having such a knowledgeable guest. At the end of the meal, however, the host sighed deeply. The guest wondered at this but said nothing.
At lunch the following day, a lively discussion ensued on Torah related topics. Again the host seem delighted, yet at the end of the meal sighed once more. This scene repeated itself at the third meal, too. When it happened once again at the Melave Malka meal following Shabbat, the guest could contain himself no longer. He asked the host what was troubling him. The host sadly related that trumped-up charges had been brought against himself and his business partner and they had been sentenced to three years hard labor in Siberia. In the regional court the verdict was confirmed and the case was soon to be reopened, for the last time, in S. Petersburg.
The guest immediately advised him, "Set out at once for Liozna and ask my Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman what to do. He will certainly be able to help you."
The host discussed it with his partner. They were concerned that the reaction of their neighbors would be less than positive if people heard they were getting involved with the "Chasidim." They decided to take the matter to Reb Meir Raphaels, a mutual friend, and do whatever he advised.
They were surprised to hear Reb Meir tell them, "I agree that you should go to Rabbi Shneur Zalman."
The partners quickly journeyed to Liozna and told Rabbi Shneur Zalman their problems. The Rebbe said to them, "You are both learned men. Tell me, what is the meaning of the statement in the Talmud 'The worldly kingdom resembles the heavenly kingdom.' " The partners stood silently.
"I will explain it to you," offered the Rebbe. "G-d's name is not pronounced the way it is written. the Alm-ghty is not called by His 'personal name,' as it were. The same is true of earthly monarchs. They are not addressed by their personal names but rather as 'czar'."
The partners travelled back to Vilna sorely disappointed. Not once did the Rebbe mention the matter which had brought them to him. They could clearly understand why there was such opposition to this new Chasidic movement.
When they arrived in Vilna, they told Reb Meir what had transpired. He, too, lost what little faith he had in Rabbi Shneur Zalman.
The date for the trial in S. Petersburg arrived and the situation still looked grim. As a last chance they decided to try meeting the Minister of Justice in person and beg his mercy. They traveled to S. Petersburg and found out that he always took a walk in the municipal gardens at a fixed time. They bribed the guard of the gardens and were let in before the minister's daily constitutional.
That day, it just so happened that the Minister of Justice was ill. The Minister of Education, however, was taking a walk in the gardens at that exact hour. The partners fell at his feet, described their situation and begged him for help.
"I am sorry, you have the wrong man," said the Minister, when they completed their petition. "I am the Minister of Education," he explained.
The two partners started to leave the park, but the minister called after them. "A few days ago, the czar posed a question to me from your holy Talmud. I have been unsuccessful in finding a satisfactory answer. If you can give me an acceptable answer, I will tell it to the czar in your names. Maybe that will help you. Now, here is the question. In the Talmud it is written, 'The worldly kingdom resembles the heavenly kingdom.' The czar was unable to fathom this and I could not help clarify it for him. Perhaps you have an answer?"
The two partners were speechless for a moment. Then they clearly gave the interpretation which they had heard months before from Rabbi Shneur Zalman.
The Minister of Education was pleased with this explanation. At his next meeting with the czar, he related the interpretation and whence came the answer. Upon the request of the education minister, the czar bid the senate to drop the charges against the partners.
When the partners returned to Vilna, the first place they stopped was at the home of Reb Meir Raphaels. They told him everything that had happened. Reb Meir lost no time in setting out for Liozna. He joined the disciples of Rabbi Shneur Zalman and before long became a prominent chasid.
