In his youth, the Chasid Reb Nachman - later to become the rabbi of Ushatz - had the unusual merit of studying with Reb Dov Ber (later to become the second Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch, known as the Mitteler Rebbe). The two boys were some sixteen years of age when they began learning together. Their learning partnership lasted a year, after which Reb Nachman traveled back home and entered the world of business.
Three years passed before Reb Nachman decided it was high time to visit the Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman (founder of Chabad Chasidism and father of Reb Dov Ber). Off he traveled to Liadi, where he used the opportunity to visit his old learning partner - Reb Dov Ber. He found Reb Dov Ber at home, poring over an open Talmud, and the two spent some time discussing various matters.
The next day, Reb Nachman resolved to visit Reb Dov Ber once more. Finding his friend learning Talmud again, Reb Nachman glanced at the open book and grinned broadly. "You expect me to believe you learned 36 folios of Talmud in one day?" he laughed. "Yesterday I saw you learning the fourth page in the Talmud, and now you are studying the fortieth page! You never learned this fast when we studied together."
Reb Dov Ber did not respond. The conversation turned to other matters and Reb Nachman put the incident out of his mind. He returned home a few days later and barely recovered from his journey when tragedy struck. Fire suddenly broke out in his home, burning the entire structure to the ground. Aside from losing his house, Reb Nachman also lost many valuable and important objects - close to half of his wealth. Devastated, he traveled back to the Rebbe.
Upon his arrival in Liadi, Reb Nachman was granted a private audience with the Rebbe. He related his misfortunes and asked the Rebbe to arouse Heavenly mercy to ensure that no further tragedy follow.
Rabbi Shneur Zalman listened closely. "From what I perceive, the matter has nothing to do with me," he said, surprise registering on his holy face. "Apparently, you offended someone and aroused his wrath." Continued the Rebbe, "perhaps you angered my son, Dov Ber."
Replied Reb Nachman, "This is very unlikely. We are very good friends, like true brothers." The Rebbe was silent.
Reb Nachman left the audience, his head swirling with confused thoughts. The Rebbe had implied that these tragedies were the outcome of someone's wrath, either the Rebbe or Reb Dov Ber - but how could that be? He reviewed the events of his recent visit to Liadi and realized that, perhaps, Reb Dov Ber had taken offense over the jibe aimed at his speed of learning.
Reb Nachman quickly made his way to the home of Reb Dov Ber. He related all that had transpired and of the Rebbe's assertion that his misfortunes were caused by the anger of Reb Dov Ber.
"It is true that I was upset at you," acknowledged Reb Dov Ber. "What nerve do you have to poke fun at my method of learning? True, you know firsthand that I normally learn slowly, plumbing the depths of every word I learn. But in the past three years I have sat and learned constantly while you spent time managing your business. Thank G-d, my learning was blessedly successful."
Mortified, Reb Nachman felt overawed at the saintliness of his former learning partner. Just look at the far-reaching ramifications caused by his being upset! And at the young age of nineteen!
"However," concluded Reb Dov Ber, "I am truly grieved at your misfortune, especially that this great loss was caused by my thoughts. I forgive entirely with a true forgiveness and I bless you that G-d, the All Merciful, repay your loss in full."
Reb Nachman returned home and watched the wheel of fortune turn once more, this time for the better. He regained all his former losses and made more than double his ordinary profits in his business dealings.
Reprinted with permission from Beis Moshiach magazine
