The chossid Reb Nateh was the Rov of Malastirzineh. He was a prominent chossid of the Mitteler Rebbe and the Tzemach Tzedek, who both sent young men to learn the ways of Chassidus from him. He was known to be totally divested from day-to-day ‘Olam Hazeh’.
Reb Nateh was a very simple and humble person. When he would visit Lubavitch, he presented himself like a commoner. Once, Reb Nateh arrived in Lubavitch during the time of the market. At such times, many thieves roamed the streets looking to take advantage of the trade season. The Tzemach Tzedek had instructed the residents of Lubavitch not to allow any strangers to sleep in the shul. Reb Nateh just arrived and was about to lay down to rest in the shul. The young men did not recognize him and told him that this was not allowed.
Reb Nateh pleaded with them, trying to convince them that he was not a thief. The young men persisted and started forcefully removing him from the shul. Amidst the commotion, the Maharin, Reb Yisroel Noach, the son of the Rebbe, entered the room. When he saw the situation, he shouted, “What are you doing?! This is Reb Nateh!”
The young men knew of Reb Nateh and were shocked and ashamed. To their surprise, Reb Nateh turned to the Maharin and said, “What do you want from them? This was the instruction from the Rebbe! They were correct! Who am I anyway...”
Reb Nateh lived across the street from his brother-in-law. Once, his wife and her sister were discussing whose husband was more of a tzaddik. Reb Nateh’s wife said that her husband is so great that he fasts very often. She added, “Today, too, he is fasting. He has not eaten all day.” Reb Nateh overheard the conversation. Right away, he took a piece of cake, and very conspicuously ate the cake in front of the window. Reb Nateh’s tziddkus was not for public knowledge.
