Avraham Ben Avraham was sitting in the corner. A guard banged on the door. He turned the key in the lock, a large key ring jangling and clinking. The heavy door swung open, and an older woman rushed in.
She was dressed in very fancy, frilly and puffy clothes. A small tiara was perched on her head. “Valentin!” she cried. “It’s me. Mama!” She crouched down next to Avraham Ben Avraham. “Under no circumstances may you do this! You will embarrass the family. You will embarrass Poland! To convert to be a… Jew?” Avraham looked up. “Mother, you don’t understand. This way is true. The Torah is true. And your religion simply isn’t. It’s based on lies and cruelty – how can I live a life of lies?” “They’ll kill you Valentin. Don’t you know you’re sentenced to be killed? Please, say it was a mistake. Come home. I’ll bake your favorite cookies, and all will be well. I’ll get you out of here, and we’ll figure out a way to cover up this whole scandal. Please Valentin!” Valentin’s mother, the Countess, was begging, pleading. “Mother, I’m sorry. Were this only about the honor of the family, I would listen. But it’s about life. About truth. Hashem promised He will never forsake His people. Your way of life is based on lies. There is no way I will change my mind. I will die tomorrow if that is Hashem’s Will. But I will die a Jew.” His eyes flashed a holy fire as he spoke those last words.
Baruch felt goosebumps up his spine. The Countess began to cry. The guards helped her up and led her out of the cell. “Please Valentin! The family’s honor! Please! Please!”
A few days later, a mysterious guest came to visit. When he entered, Avraham stood up. “Rabeinu, Hagaon Reb Eliyahu!” he exclaimed. Was that the Vilna Gaon? Baruch’s mouth opened wide. “Reb Avraham, I want to save you. Al pi Kabbalah, I can.” Avraham answered, “Rebbe, I am prepared to give my life for Hashem.” The Gaon responded, “Then you are a very lucky Yid. You will be mekadesh Hashem’s name like Rabbi Akiva, when he was killed by the Romans!” The Tzadik gave Avraham a brachah, and left.
The world began to spin again, and Baruch found himself in the middle of a rowdy, boisterous crowd. Everyone was screaming wildly. Up on a stage in the middle of the crowd was Avraham Ben Avraham. He was tied to a pole.
“This is your last chance, Potocki!” yelled the executioner. “My name is Avraham!’’ he yelled. Baruch was shocked; Avraham was actually singing. “Anachnu amcha, b’nei brisecha – we are your children, connected to You, the children of Avraham.” The executioner angrily lit the pyre of wood near Avraham on fire. Avraham exclaimed, “Baruch mekadesh Shem Shomayim barabbim!” Then, as the flames grew, with all his might: “Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem echod!”
Baruch stood frozen. This man had given his life to be a Yid. It reminded him of Rus, who gave up everything just to live a life of Torah. Just to be a Yid. How lucky he was that was born a Yid, who can learn Hashem’s Torah and do His mitzvos!
Baruch readied himself to spin back to the future… but nothing happened. “Oh no!” thought Baruch. “Is the time machine broken?!”
To be continued…
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 37 Shavuos 2025.