Rav Aharon Epstein (Kislev 7)
FALSE REBBES
Rav Aharon was known as a man of truth, an ish emes who could not stand lies, falsehood and false pride or arrogance of any kind. He was known not to hold back his opinion, and when confronted with sheker, he would not save face for anyone.
Once a supposed Rebbe bragged to Rav Aharon about how his Chassidim relied on him. “What shall I do?” his tongue dripped false modesty. “One Chassid asks me to bless him with rain for his crops, while another asks me to daven for hot sun to dry his wares for sale at the market. Since these requests are at odds with each other, I don’t know what to do,” he concluded, placing his quandary before Rav Aharon.
Rav Aharon, who could not stand such false modesty, answered back with his barbed tongue, “You have nothing at all to worry about, since your blessings do not matter and won’t make any difference at all! Just bless them both with what they ask for and Hashem will do what He wishes anyway!” (In the name of Rav Bentzion of Bobow Hy”d, Yad Maor VaShemesh p. 386)
REVIVING THE DEAD OR KILLING THE LIVING
Rav Aharon of Cracow was once present together with several other Tzaddikim. One of the Rebbes was handing out snuff and the Rebbes were passing the snuffbox around, each taking a pinch of snuff. Just then, an ordinary Jew, not known as a Tzaddik or Rebbe, also took a pinch. The owner of the snuffbox turned to this Jew and said with disdain and unmasked contempt, “What – you also took?”
Immediately, the Jew fell stricken to the ground. Rav Aharon got very upset, and said in scorn and mockery, “Fartzeitishe Rebbes huben mechaya meisim gevayn, uhn heint vil men harginen?! – The Rebbes of yesteryear would revive the dead and today’s want to kill them instead?!” The Rebbe in question responded, “No, no chalila,” and as soon as he said this, the other Jew got up, revived and unharmed. (Siach Zekeinim III p. 268)
