CHAPTER 7
The next few weeks were quite lonely for Baruch. Mr Shpeiter left spontaneously for Eretz Yisrael on an “emergency mission,” and Baruch was left yearning for some more adventures.
How could he just pick up and leave? Baruch asked himself. He was really in need of a good trip back in time. He threw his knapsack into the corner of his room and took off his coat. On his desk lay the letter from Mr. Shpeiter that had come in the mail, telling him of his surprise trip. It was strange, thought Baruch, when he lived only a few houses down, that he had sent him a letter. He also could have called or texted. Or walked over. Hmmm… Baruch bent down to pick up the letter again when he realized there was writing on the other side! Surprised, he began to read…
Reb Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk was taken by the Maggid of Mezritch to the Baal Shem Tov as a very young boy. The Baal Shem Tov told him a very long story that seemed to hint at the details of his life. The Toldos Yaakov Yosef, who was standing there as well, said he understood the whole story. Many years later, Reb Menachem Mendel became very sick. His talmidim were very worried. “Don’t worry!” said the Tzadik. I heard the story of the Baal Shem Tov, and I know there is more to the story than this! I will survive! And… I will yet travel to Eretz Yisrael!” Sure enough, he recovered. Shortly afterwards he began his travels to Eretz Yisrael. He stopped by the Toldos Yaakov Yosef on his way. The Vitebsker walked in dressed very snazzily, with a pipe in his mouth and without the gartel he normally wore. “Do you understand the story?” the Toldos asked. “Yes, and it seems I’m halfway through.” said the Vitebsker, puffing on his fancy pipe.
“This Tzaddik dressed in a strange way but it’s only to hide his real middos, and to fool the yetzer hara!”
The Chassidim near the Toldos were confused – this man did not seem to act like a tzaddik. Why was their Rebbe respecting him so much? The Toldos turned to them and said, “Sometimes the king needs a good hiding spot for a jewel. Where should he hide it? The safe is where all crooks look for jewels. The best place is in the garbage! This Tzaddik dressed in a strange way but it’s only to hide his real middos, and to fool the yetzer hara!”
Reb Menachem Mendel traveled for many months, with incredible mesiras nefesh, to get to Eretz Yisrael. He founded a community in Tzafas and then was forced to move to Teveria.
Hmmm.. thought Baruch. Maybe this was all part of the story! And maybe what was needed was a little mesiras nefesh! It was mysterious, the spontaneous trip, the story… He had a thought. But… would it work?
Continued next week…
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 24.