ALWAYS ON THE TABLE
The Tosher rebbe once related:
Rav Mottel Neshchizer used to keep a copy of the Rambam’s Yad haChazaka on his table at all times. When his son, Rav Yitzchok of Neshchiz was questioned as to why his father had this custom, he explained: My father had a vision in which the Rambam appeared before him with a complaint: “Why do you not study my sefer?”
“I apologize,” answered my father, “but with people coming to me day and night with their problems, I just don’t have the time; I am simply unable to help them and also find time to study your sefer.”
The Rambam then returned, “At least keep a copy of my sefer on your table,” I promise that if you keep a copy before you on your table at all times, whenever you need to help a Jew and achieve some yeshua for someone, just open my sefer and take a look inside. I assure you that you will find some cure and manner of healing.” That is the reason for this custom, he concluded. (L’Yesharim Tehilla, see also Avodas Avoda Sichos Shemos)
KIRUV RECHOKIM
Rav Yitzchok of Neshchiz related on Motzoei Shabbos Parshas Behaalosecha, tov-reish-kaf-zayin:
Rav Gershon of Kitov met the Ohr HaChaim in Eretz Yisrael and told him about his brother-in-law the Ba’al Shem Tov. The Ohr HaChaim replied that he had heard of him and that his name was Yisrael. Rav Gershon Kitover also asked the Ohr HaChaim why he kept a certain talmid in his Yeshiva whom Rav Gershon had seen behaving improperly, unbecoming for a Yeshiva student. “This is our way,” answered the Ohr HaChaim. “We draw closer those who are distant – we are mekarev rechokim.” (Zichron Tov p. 16 #8)
When Rav Gershon of Kitov traveled to Eretz Yisrael, the Ba’al Shem Tov told him to meet with the Ohr HaChaim. “If he doesn’t know of his greatness, send him regards from me and tell him I see him in Moshiach Heichal – the supernal palace, where Moshiach sits on a throne and studies the Ohr HaChaim.”
When Rav Gershon came to Eretz Yisrael, he arrived at the Ohr HaChaim’s Yeshiva and asked why he studied with talmidim who behave inappropriately; others say that he asked why he studied with people with lowly souls.
The Ohr HaChaim asked Rav Gershon from where he hailed. When he said that he was from Polnoy, the Ohr HaChaim responded that he should return the following day. The next day, the Ohr HaChaim told him, “I saw your Rebbe and he is a very great man.”
Rav Gershon then related his regards from the Ba’al Shem and relayed the Ba’al Shem’s message. The Ohr HaChaim responded, “I don’t know what favor he does me by revealing my greatness. Tell him I saw the Angel of Death and that he stands with one foot on Polnoy and the other on the entire world.” This was a hint at the danger facing European Jewry and that they would need mercy. He also responded that the reason he studied with people with lowly souls was because he sought to redeem holy sparks from places that they had been captured and held hostage. (Kisvei Ri Shuv of Brisk)
ONLY THE GOOD
Rav Yitzchok of Neshchiz was once in Alik and, while wrapped in his tallis and crowned with his tefillin, one of his attendants entered and began to complain and tell the Rebbe about someone else’s misconduct and misdeeds. The Tzaddik grew very upset and he grasped the door handle, saying to his gabbai, “You have been my attendant in this house for several years already. Don’t you know by now that before a person even grasps hold of the kolimka – the handle of my door – that right away I can already sense everything that person has done since the day he was born? What can I do? It says, regarding Hashem in Bamidbar (23:21) that He sees no iniquity or wrongdoing in Yaakov. Hashem does not look at the evil that Bnei Yisrael do, and if Hashem does not, how can I? My way and custom is that I do not look at the negative side of people – only at their positive side, because if I did see their negative sides, I would never let anyone cross my threshold and enter through this door to see me!”
When the Rebbe Rav Yitzchok of Neshchiz left Berditchev to take over the leadership as Neshchizer Rebbe, he davened to Hashem and succeeded in achieving that he should never see the negative side of a person – only the positive side. (Zichron Tov – Mei’avodas HaTzaddikim # 33)
