Sichos HaRan
Rebbe Nachman's Wisdom

by Reb Noson of Nemirov

Shevachay HaRan

(The Praise of Rebbe Nachman–Part II)
(Rebbe Nachman’s Pilgrimage to the Land of Israel)

#1.

Before his pilgrimage to the land of Israel, Rabbi Nachman journeyed to Kamenetz. Great mystery surrounded the entire trip. The Rebbe suddenly left his house and said, “There is a journey before me.” When he left his home in Medvedevka, taking the route to Medzeboz, he said, “I am going, but I myself do not know where.” He came to Medzeboz and stayed there for a few days. There he was informed from on high that he was to travel to Kamenetz. He then left and continued along the way.

Rabbi Nachman travelled with the utmost simplicity. Although he was a famed leader, he travelled like the simple folk, without any pomp or ceremony. He very emphatically warned his attendants to be very careful not to reveal his identity. Wherever he went, he was completely unknown, travelling in absolute anonymity, like an ordinary merchant.

He arrived in Kamenetz. At that time no Jew was allowed to live there or even spend the night within the city limits. The Jews lived outside the city and those who had business in the city would go there for the day. They were allowed to remain there all day, but at night every Jew had to leave. It was a well known fact that no Jew was permitted to spend the night within the city limits.

The Rebbe entered the city with his attendant, and they remained together until nightfall. As night was approaching, he told his attendant to leave the city. He said, “I will remain in the city alone tonight. Come back tomorrow morning and meet me here.” He spent that night alone in Kamenetz. No one in the world knows what he did that night.

The next morning, his attendant returned to the city and found the Rebbe as he had been told. The Rebbe then went with him into many houses, finding some excuse to enter each one. He used such tricks as asking for a drink of whiskey and the like. In this manner he entered many homes, but again, no one knew his intention.

The Rebbe then returned home. Soon after he spent that night in Kamenetz, Jews were given permission to live inside the city.

#2.

The Rebbe said, “Whoever knows why the Land of Israel was first in the hands of the Canaanites and only later settled by the Jews, knows why I journeyed to Kamenetz before travelling to the Holy Land.”

#3.

The journey to Kamenetz was a great mystery. Every one had his own explanation, some praising the Rebbe and others doing the opposite. But they were all wrong. Even those who saw good in this journey did not come close to understanding its true purpose. The Rebbe revealed some hint of his purpose to his close followers. But even though they knew a little, they did not fully comprehend his purpose.

Once he made a clever remark about this, saying that people constantly mislead themselves regarding everything he does….

#4.

There were some who said that the Rebbe went to Kamenetz to find some hidden writings of the Baal Shem Tov. It was said that the Baal Shem Tov had enclosed some of his writings in a stone and there was a rumor that it was hidden in Kamenetz. Some said that this was the purpose of the Rebbe's journey.

The Rebbe ridiculed this. He said, “I did not go for that reason. If I needed those writings, they would bring them to my house. But I have no need for them at all.”

#5.

On the day before Pesach, 5558 (31 March 1798), the Rebbe emerged from the mikveh and told his attendant, “This year I will definitely be in the Holy Land.”

During Pesach, the Rebbe spoke on the verse, “Your path was in the great waters and your footsteps were not known” (Psalms 77:20). He pointed out the apparent contradiction between the two parts of this verse and gave a lesson reconciling them. In the course of his words, it became apparent that he had definite plans to travel to the Holy Land.

#6.

When the Rebbe's wife heard this, she was beside herself. She sent her daughter, asking how it was possible for him to leave them without means of support. The Rebbe answered his daughter, “You can travel to your fiance's parents. Someone will take your older sister in to live as a nursemaid. Another will take your younger sister in out of pity. Your mother can find work as a cook. I will sell everything in the house for travelling expenses.”

When the Rebbe's family heard this, they all burst into tears. They wept bitterly, but he had no pity on them. He said, ”It is impossible without this. No matter what happens, I must certainly go. For most of me is already there, and the minority must follow the majority. Vorin dee grester helft is shoin dort….”

The Rebbe said, “I have set my heart on this journey to the Land of Israel. I know that I will find my way blocked with countless barriers, but as long as my soul is in me, I will do everything in my power to go. While there is a spark of life within me, I will continue and let God do what is good in his eyes.”

#7.

The Rebbe said, “Every step that I take to the Holy Land will be at the risk of my life. I want to leave right now, no matter how, even without a penny in my pockets. Those who take pity on me will give me something.” Immediately, those closest to him travelled to the nearby villages to gather a small sum, accumulating enough for him to leave. He made plans for the journey with the greatest urgency, not wanting to delay for any reason whatsoever.

On Lag b'Omer, (18 Iyar 5558/May 4, 1798), he set forth, quickly and enthusiastically. He made a pact with one of his followers and they travelled together. {There is absolutely no indication of his attendant’s identity.}

#8.

On Lag b'Omer, the Rebbe left his home in Medvedevka, heading toward Nikolayev. There he found a ship transporting grain and he took it as far as Odessa.

At that time, emissaries and other Jews travelling to the Holy Land were afraid to go via Odessa, for the route was rumored to be dangerous. But the Rebbe immediately realized that it was better to take a ship from Odessa for many reasons. First of all, the way from his home was much shorter than by the alternative route through Galatz. Also, this route avoided a more serious peril, for the route through Galatz involved great danger sailing from the Danube River into the Black Sea. Therefore, the Rebbe ignored these rumors and left from Nikolayev, taking the route through Odessa to Istanbul.

#9.

The Rebbe told his attendant to buy a large quantity of ink and writing paper. As soon as they embarked on the ship in Odessa, the Rebbe began writing down his thoughts on the Torah. He warned his aide to not even look at his writings and would not give him the key to the trunk until he had so promised on his honor.

When they left Odessa, many people came to see him off out of respect. Many coaches followed him and a great crowd joyously escorted him, singing and dancing all the way.

They embarked on the ship and set off on the Black Sea. During their first day at sea there was a great storm. The winds whipped up high waves, washing over the ship's deck. The Rebbe and his aide had to remain tightly closed up in their cabin so as not to get soaked by the spray. The thunder and lightning and howling winds were beyond description. The two were so terrified by the noise of the rain and thunder and the roar of the waves that they found it impossible to sleep at night.

After four days at sea, they arrived in Istanbul. The Rebbe and his attendant sat on the dock, not knowing where to go. They could not tell the Jews from the Turks and, having no knowledge of the language, had no way of asking. People saw them sitting on the dock and found a translator who could speak their language. He acted as their intermediary, immediately finding them lodgings in the Galata quarter.

After an hour or two in Galata, the Rebbe said that he did not want to remain there. The interpreter asked, "Do you want to go to the main part of Istanbul? This is the section containing the capital and the Sultan's residence. Only men are allowed in that quarter. It is completely off-limits to women and married couples cannot stay there." The Rebbe replied that he would prefer that.

The interpreter then told them, "Several emissaries from the Holy Land are staying there and among them two of your countrymen. These two were in Israel and are now returning to Europe." As soon as the Rebbe heard this, he agreed to meet them. He told his attendant, "I warn you, do not reveal my identity. If they ask about me, do not tell who I am." They left Galata and went to the old city of Istanbul. They were introduced to their countrymen who were returning from the Holy Land.

Immediately, one of them recognized the Rebbe's attendant. He asked him, "What are you doing here?" The attendant answered, "I am travelling with this young man to the Land of Israel." {Rebbe Nachman was 26 at the time.} The other inquired, "But who is he?" The aide replied, "He has a travel card from the Austrian Kaiser's government." He did not reveal the Rebbe's identity as he had been warned.

They got the idea that the Rebbe was a government agent, going to make trouble for the great leader, Rebbe Avraham of Kalisk. They imagined that he had been sent by a number of groups who were opposing Rebbe Avraham. They stubbornly clung to this mistaken idea, causing much conflict between themselves and the Rebbe.

They began questioning the Rebbe's companion. "Is he carrying a letter?" The attendant replied that he was not. "Then why is he going to the Holy Land?" The other replied that he did not know. They decided not to depend on the attendant any more feeling that he was trying to mislead them. They told him, "Even though we knew you to be an honorable man, we have grave doubts that you have retained your integrity."

Not realizing that they were refering to the mysterious stranger, they asked the attendant, "Have you asked your master, Rebbe Nachman of Medvedevka, if you should travel with this man?" He answered that he had. But by this time they no longer believed anything he said. They had already made up their mind that the Rebbe was a schemer, going to cause trouble in the Holy Land.

They went to the Rebbe himself, questioning him about his identity, his home and his family. But the Rebbe stood firmly and would not reveal a thing. They used every possible ruse, trying to discover some clue as to his identity. He understood their game and answered their questions in such a way that they could determine absolutely nothing. He bewildered them completely, twisting and confusing their questions until their only conclusion was that they knew nothing at all.

He constantly played a different role. For example, one day they asked him if he was a kohen. {A member of the hereditary proesthood, descended from Aharon, brother of Moshe.} He answered that he was. The next day, they suddenly asked him if he was a Yisrael. {Neither a kohen or Levi.} He again answered that he was. They asked him, "Yesterday you said that you were a kohen. How can you now tell us that you are a Yisrael?" He answered, "Kohen is the attribute of Mercy. Yisrael is another attribute. Thank God, I have both attributes."

They stormed at him, "It is obvious that you are one of the oppressors. You are using tricks, trying to hide it!" They began to hate him bitterly, hurling every possible insult at him. For many days, they cursed him in every way imaginable. One of the pair was especially ugly in his words toward the Rebbe. The Rebbe made very attempt to be friendly with them. He pleaded, "I cannot tell you the reason for my journey, for “my heart has not even revealed it to my mouth.” But still, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity."

Their reply was: "If you tell us your reasons, you will certainly receive great good." The Rebbe answered, "I do not need any good from you and no matter what happens, I will not tell you my reasons. But if you wish, you can obtain much good from me."

They said to him, "The way you speak, one would think that you are a famous tzaddik, such as Rebbe Barukh, Rebbe Shalom or Rebbe Nachman. They speak in these mysterious ways. But we're pretty sure that you're not one of them. We know what your business is. You're going to cause trouble for the great tzaddik, Rebbe Avraham."

They warned the Rebbe that a letter would precede him to the Holy Land, warning the community that he was a troublemaker and a spy, so he could not mislead them. They also plotted with the ship's agent, a Polish Jew married to a Sephardic woman. His father-in-law was an important official and had access to the palace.

They went to the agent and told him, "For God's sake, don't let this stranger leave for Eretz Yisrael. He is one of our enemies, trying to have Jews expelled, heaven forbid. Do anything you can to stop him and God will grant you a double reward!" The Rebbe and his attendant knew nothing at all about this.

These two continued to insult the Rebbe in every possible way. But he endured it all, not revealing his identity, despite all their taunts. He purposely tricked and confounded them, provoking them all the more. He played a different role each time they spoke to him. Once he spoke in such a manner that they were certain that he was from Lagurna. When they realized that they wre wrong, they were enraged.

Another time when he spoke to them, they thought that he was the son of the Preacher of Kamarna, who had great opposition. In the middle of the conversation he suddenly began to berate the Kamarner. They screamed at him, "Isn't he your father?" Then they realized that they still had no clue as to his identity.

Each time they spoke to him, the Rebbe seemed to have a different name. No matter what name they used to address him, he would answer to it. Still thinking he was the Kamarner's son, they once suddenly called him Yeshiah, which was the son's name. The Rebbe immediately responded. They were positive they had caught him this time and told him, "Now we know for sure that you are the Kamarner's son." Then the Rebbe spoke up and argued to the contrary.

In the course of ithe conversation, they began speaking of the gift that they were carrying from the Kamarner to his son. The Rebbe immediately began to plead, urging them to show it to him. They were sure that they had identified him as the Kamarner's son, but then he began to curse the Kamarner again. They became furious at him, and berated him with insult upon insult.

They fumed at him, "Why do you constantly change your name? One day you have one name, and the next day another. The name of your city seems to change just as often!" The Rebbe replied, "Every name is connected to a given sefirah. Thank God, I include them all."

The entire story would consume many volumes. The Rebbe would often wake them up from their sleep and begin conversing with them. They became furious, cursing him violently.

One Friday afternoon, they returned from the mikveh. The Rebbe was lying barefoot on the couch, without his belt or hat. He asked them, "Why does my body feel light all week? I never feel any fatigue, but now I feel so weary that I can hardly stand." They replied, "Every Friday afternoon, as Shabbat approaches, the soul goes up on high and the additional Shabbat soul descends.. But in your case, your weekday soul has left, but you are not worthy of the Shabbat soul. Therefore, your body is like a stone." The Rebbe mocked them, "Woe to you! You cannot even answer a simple question."

The Rebbe asked if he could spend the Shabbat with them. They refused, inviting only his attendant. The Rebbe would not eat any meat there and was forced to eat dairy foods on the Shabbat. They, however, had a shochet {ritual-slaughterer} who provided them with meat.

That Friday night they had a bitter dispute with the Rebbe, almost throwing him out of the house. Although he had not been invited to eat with them, he stopped in for a visit. But they began to quarrel with him, causing a great commotion, and they tried to throw him out of the house. This happened again during the day.

All this was actually done intentionally. The Rebbe allowed himself to be insulted in every possible manner. He told his companion, "These insults are very beneficial to me, clearing the way both there and back. Before I reach my goal, I must overcome great barriers, beyond measure or description. Without this degradation, it would be utterly impossible for me to set foot in the Holy Land."

The Rebbe later expressly said, "If not for these insults, it would have been absolutely impossible for me to reach my destination." Another time he said, "I saw that I would have to die in Istanbul, but the humiliation and insults saved me. For to approach the Holy Land, one must overcome many barriers."

#10.

The Rebbe told his attendant to give his detractors some of the food and preserves they were carrying. He said to give them a little of everything. The two men who had been so insulting to the Rebbe then set out for home. The Rebbe asked them to take along a letter to his family, but they refused. They did, however, take along a letter from his attendant.

As soon as they left, they wanted to open the letter, to see if they could find any clue as to the Rebbe's identity. But when they looked for the letter, they could not find it among their belongings. Try as they might, they could not remember where they had put it.

The letter did not appear until they arrived at the port of Walachia. When they opened the letter, they discovered the Rebbe's true identity. “As they saw, so they wondered,” and they were very frightened. The man who insulted the Rebbe the most died soon after he returned home.

#11.

Soon after these two left Istanbul, the agent to whom they had spoken, came to the Rebbe and his attendant. He began showing them letters from all the Jewish leaders, asking that he help people travelling through Istanbul. He did this to emphasize his importance in the government.

He told the Rebbe, "If you tell me about yourself and your family, good! But if not, I have the ability to harm you and you will not be able to undo it. Not only will you not be permitted to continue your journey, but you will be imprisoned. Even a fortune in bribes will not help when I’m done!"

When the Rebbe heard this, he immediately told the truth. He said that he was a great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov and a grandson of Rebbe Nachman of Horodenka. The agent's attitude changed immediately and he left in a completely different mood. When he returned the next day he was very submissive to the Rebbe.

He spoke with great friendliness. "Rebbe, may God be with you. I will do everything I can, now that you have told me the truth. If you had not disclosed your identity, I would have imprisoned you, and I would have been punished in this world and the next. But now, please, let me help you. If you need a ship or anything else, I am ready to serve you in any way possible."

#12.

The next day, the agent came and told them that a ship carrying some Jews had arrived from Europe. Among the group was an expert shochet, who could provide them with proper kosher meat. The ship had also brought the renowned Rebbe Zev Wolf of Charni, Austria and other Jewish leaders.

The Rebbe's attendant was introduced to Rebbe Zev and told him the truth. Rebbe Zev immediately sent for the Rebbe, inviting him to stay with them. They urged the Rebbe in the friendliest way imaginable, but the Rebbe would not go. He said, "It is good for me where I am."

One reason why the Rebbe avoided Rebbe Zev was because he was doing all sorts of childish things in Istanbul. He went through the streets barefoot and hatless, wearing only his skullcap and coat lining. Running in the street like a young child, the Rebbe played childish war games. He would name one child France, another something else and engage in mock warfare using real battle strategy. This was among the many childish things he did in Istanbul.

An epidemic broke out on the Rebbe’s street, forcing him to flee. He then had to move in with Rebbe Zev. Rebbe Zev celebrated the event with a great feast in the Rebbe's honor, showing him immeasurable respect. The Rebbe did many things that may have annoyed Rebbe Zev, but as the saying goes, “Love breaks down all barriers.” Rebbe Zev was so fond of the Rebbe that he ignored everything, even though he found some of his antics quite shocking.

The first Shabbat the Rebbe stayed with them, Rebbe Zev led the Friday evening prayers, as was the custom with many great tzaddikim. The Rebbe prayed earlier and was already eating the Shabbat meal when Rebbe Zev began his worship. This happened again during Shacharit {the morning prayer} and again by the late afternoon Third Meal.

As soon as Rebbe Zev sat down to the Third Meal, the Rebbe began reciting birkat hamazon {the grace after meals}. He told his attendant to tell him as soon as the stars became visible and then prayed Maariv {the evening prayer}. He recited havdalah, lit his pipe and entered Rebbe Zev's house.

Rebbe Zev was just beginning the Third Meal in the way of the renowned masters. In walked the Rebbe, with his coat wide open, wearing only his skullcap and smoking his pipe. Rebbe Zev still greeted him with great respect. He immediately said the birkat hamazon, prayed Maariv and recited havdalah. He then sat up all night speaking with the Rebbe with the utmost affection.

All that happened in Istanbul both spiritually and materially would consume many volumes. There are the stories of all the Rebbe's childish pranks, as well as the account of his visit to the grave of Rebbe Naftali.

It is apparent from the Rebbe's words that he was in tremendous danger in Istanbul. He was certain that he would remain there until he died, but God miraculously intervened and he was saved. The main thing that helped was this childishness and degradation.

When the Rebbe returned from Rebbi Naftali's grave, he suddenly fainted and lay still for several hours. They placed him in bed, where he lay all night until noon the next day. He was on the verge of death, until God helped him and restored his health.

This was only one of the great dangers and countless barriers that he encountered every day in Istanbul. The Rebbe said that it was the insults and childishness that sustained him.

#13.

The Rebbe said, "At the time, I became so involved in childishness, that I became totally accustomed to acting that way. Later, when I reached the Holy Land, it was difficult to act otherwise. I actually had to force myself to break these childish habits." This had become such a habit that it was very difficult to break. After he had returned from his pilgrimage, he was very unique in this respect, lowering himself in order to reach higher levels. In this respect his wisdom was outstanding.

It is a well known fact that one must lower himself in order to proceed from one step to a higher one. At this time, one must make use of childishness and absolute simplicity…. The Rebbe never reamined on one level, but constantly raised himself step by step. His understanding of these concepts was therefore very profound—deep, deep, who can discern it?

#14.

At that time, France was at war, having invaded the Sultan's territory in Egypt and Palestine. The news reached Istanbul that war had broken out and the French were patrolling the Mediterranean. Immediately, the Jewish community forbade any Jew to leave the city and travel by sea. The Rebbe ignored all this and was willing to risk everything.

He told his attendant, "I am willing to expose myself to any danger, no matter how great, but I am not willing to risk your life. Take money for expenses and return home in peace if you wish. I will travel alone, hidden and concealed from the people of Istanbul. For I am renouncing myself to whatever may happen…." His aide refused to leave, saying, "Where you go, whether to life or to death, there will your servant be. For where you go, there will I also go."

In His great mercy, God reversed things through His guidance. It so happened that a great sage from Jerusalem lived in Istanbul. He had been collecting charity for the poor of Jerusalem and intended to remain in Istanbul for at least another year. One day this sage got up and spoke to the Istanbul community. He said, "It has been revealed to me that I must return to Jerusalem immediately. I see that the day is approaching for me to be taken from this world. You need not fear that the French will harm any Jew going to the Holy Land. God will protect them from all injury. He will watch over all who travel with me and we will arrive in peace. For my burial place has already been marked in Jerusalem."

The community heeded the sage and immediately booked a large ship. They announced that whoever wishes to, may leave on this ship. A large number of people embarked, men, women and children, both of the European and Sephardic communities. Among the passengers going to the Holy Land was the Rebbe. The Rebbe spoke to this sage and asked him to take him along to Jerusalem, saying, "I do not wish to go to Safed or Tiberias." The two then made a pact.

As soon as they were at sea, a great storm began. The ship was in great danger. “They mounted to the heavens and plunged to the depths.” In their hearts, every one aboard felt that this was the end. They cried out to God, making the night like Yom Kippur, with weeping, confession and begging for forgiveness and atonement.

All the while, the Rebbe sat in absolute silence. Several people began to question him, asking how he could keep still at a time like this. The Rebbe did not reply. The Rabbi of Hottin's wife was a learned woman. She had been crying and screaming all that night. She berated the Rebbe for remaining silent, almost cursing him.

The Rebbe said to her, "If you will only keep still, things will go well. This shall be your proof. Remain still and you will see. The sea shall become calm for you." They took the Rebbe's advice and everybody on the ship kept quiet. It was near daybreak and immediately “God turned the storm into calm, so that its waves were still. And they rejoiced….”

#15.

After a day or two, the ship found itself without drinking water. All the water had been used up, except for one barrel of putrid, bad smelling water, crawling with worms. This water was carefully rationed to the passengers, one measure to each person. The danger of thirst grew more serious than all the previous perils.

All the passengers, men, women and children, began to pray from the depths of their hearts. Suddenly a great wind began to blow, sweeping the ship along and within two days they sighted land. They had arrived at Jaffa, the port of entry to Jerusalem.

The Rebbe immediately wanted to leave the ship and accompany the sage to Jerusalem. But God willed it otherwise and the Turks would not let him enter the country. They saw his strange clothing and long peyot. This, together with his inability to speak their language, convinced them that he was a French spy. Neither persuasion nor pleading availed and the Rebbe was constrained to remain on shipboard.

It was already two days before Rosh Hashanah and the captain intended to remain in Jaffa for at least several more days. However, a heavy surf arose, rocking the ship so much, it almost capsized. The captain was helpless and realized that he could not remain there. He was very surprised and inquired about this. The elder Sephardic sages told him that they had a tradition from father to son that this is the place where Jonah was cast into the sea. He was forced to lift anchor, for the ship could not remain there overnight.

They left Jaffa and arrived in Haifa on the eve of Zakhor HaBris {the day before Rosh Hashanah, named for the major penitential prayers recited that day}. The ship stood at the foot of Mount Carmel, near the Cave of Elijah. In the early morning, all the people on the ship said selichot {penitential prayers} with great joy. They then prayed Shacharit. After their prayers, they all disembarked in Haifa.

It was then that the Rebbe first set foot on the Holy Land. He had come to the place for which he yearned. He had thirsted for this moment with the greatest longing. For this he had risked his life thousands of times, literally casting his soul aside. He set foot on the Holy Land! He was actually standing there! The tremendous joy that he experienced at this instant is beyond all imagination. If all the seas were ink…it would not describe it in the least.

In that instant, the Rebbe attained everything. He later said, "The moment I walked four steps in the Holy Land, I achieved my goal."

That afternoon, the Rebbe went to the mikveh. Then he went to the synagogue and remained there until after Maariv. When he returned to his lodgings, the Rebbe was overflowing with joy. Every minute he looked at his attendant and exclaimed, "You happy man! You were worthy of being here with me!"

The Rebbe then told his attendant to read all the missives they had brought along. All the Rebbe's followers had given him slips containing their names, for him to pray for them in the Holy Land. The entire houehold shared the Rebbe's joy throughout the Rosh Hashanah meal. This joyous mood continued until they finally went to bed.

On the morning of Rosh HaShanah they went to the synagogue again. When they returned to their lodgings, the Rebbe's mood changed to one of immeasurable concern and brokenheartedness. He would not speak to a soul for the rest of the holiday.

#16.

As soon as Rosh Hashanah was over, the Rebbe was ready to return home. He wanted to leave at once, not wanting to visit anywhere, even the holy cities of Safed and Tiberias. The Rebbe's attendant wanted very much to travel and feast his eyes on all the sacred shrines in the Holy Land. He told the Rebbe that there was a caravan leaving shortly and they could join it to Tiberias.

The Rebbe replied, "You want Tiberias? Then go hire donkeys!" His attendant hurried to the stables and gave them a deposit. The moment he returned from the stables, the Rebbe asked him if he had secured donkeys and he answered in the affirmative. The Rebbe then said, "Go this minute! Get the deposit back! If they won't return it, forget about it. But I will not leave now!"

Two or three hours later, the Rebbe's aide became extremely ill. Then he thanked God that he had not travelled with the caravan.

#17.

The people in Safed and Tiberias soon heard that the Rebbe had arrived in Haifa. Their leaders immediately sent word asking him to visit their communities. Emmissaries from Tiberias arrived and spent Yom Kippur with the Rebbe. They had letters from all the great tzaddikim living there, requesting the Rebbe to spend Succos in Tiberias. The Rebbe, however, ignored the request completely.

He told his attendant to buy him etrogim {citrons} for the Sukot festival. The attendant went to the Chakham {sage, rabbi} of Haifa and gave him twenty Paras for etrogim. The chakham went to an Arab orchard and brought him three beautiful, choice etrogim.

While the Rebbe was in Haifa, a mysterious event took place. A young Turk came to his lodgings and sat there, speaking to the Rebbe at length. Since he spoke in Turkish, the Rebbe could not understand a word he was saying. The Arab was there for each meal, day and night. From his actions, it seemed that he was very fond of the Rebbe.

One day the Turk came to the Rebbe, fully armed and in a state of rage. He began to scream at the Rebbe in Turkish. The Rebbe sat there dumbfounded, not understanding a word he was saying. But a woman from Walachia was in the house and she understood Turkish. As soon as the Turk left she told the Rebbe, "For God's sake! Flee from this house! This Turk has just challenged you to a duel!" The Rebbe fled from the house and hid in the home of Rebbe Zev of Charney. They concealed him in an innermost chamber.

The Turk soon returned to the Rebbe's quarters asking for him. He said, "Where is the man who was here? Tell him that I am very fond of him. If he wants to go with the caravans to Tiberias, I will give him donkeys. I will even give him my own horse! From now on he has nothing to fear from me!" The Turk was as good as his word. The Rebbe returned to his quarters and the Turk came and sat there not saying a word. He just sat quietly and smiled. Then he began acting friendly to the Rebbe, displaying an unusual degree of affection.

The entire episode was extremely mysterious. The Rebbe said, "I suffered even more from that Turk's love than from his hatred and anger." From the Rebbe's holy words, it appeared that his dealings with that Turk had placed him in great peril. It also seems that we heard the Rebbe say that this Turk was the Evil One himself. Whatever the case, God had mercy and protected the Rebbe. He was saved and continued in peace.