By Dovid Zaklikowski for COLlive and Hasidic Archives
Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chasidic movement, once instructed a disciple who was leaving his court to stop at the home of Michel the water carrier in Zolochiv, Ukraine, and give him his regards.
The disciple was pleased and proud. After all, the water carrier must be an exceptional person to merit such an honor.
Accordingly, he sought out Michel and delivered the Baal Shem Tov’s message. The poor man received it with joy, and in honor of the occasion, he had a “grand” lunch prepared for the guest, two small fish.
The progress of their meal was followed by Michel’s children, who had hidden on top of the stove when the guest entered so that he would not see their torn clothing. In a whisper, they told each other that the stranger certainly would not finish his portion, so that, when he left, “We will have something to eat as well.”
Hearing them, the Baal Shem Tov’s disciple was so distressed that he began to cry.
“Why are you crying?” the water carrier asked.
“The poverty here is painful to see.”
“Let me tell you a story,” Michel said. “A rich family was once marrying off their daughter and invited all of the poor people in their town to the wedding feast. But during the wedding ceremony, the bride fainted under the canopy and died. Then commenced a debate among the poor people: One group said, ‘Who cares? The main thing is the delicious food waiting to be eaten.’ The more refined among them, however, refused to eat anything, saying, ‘Who could eat after such a tragedy?’”
The water carrier concluded, “We were in the middle of a ‘wedding’ of the Jewish nation with G-d, when the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. It’s true that I am poor, but what pleasure could riches give me when all my joy has turned to sorrow?”
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