A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY

Presented for Chaf Cheshvan, the birthday of the Rebbe Rashab
By Nechama Bar

R’ Moshe sat outside his home studying a seifer. The fruit trees in the garden wafted a delightful fragrance and the colorful flowers contributed to­ward a relaxing environment. Moshe loved this magical spot. Here he felt his mind open up and it was easier for him to learn and understand Torah.

Suddenly, he thought he heard footsteps approaching the house. He looked up and saw a Chassid approaching the bench he was sitting on. Something important must have brought him.

“How can I help you?” Moshe asked the unfamiliar man.

“I would like to speak to you for a few minutes. I have an important request for you.”

Moshe got up and invited the Chassid into his house. The Chassid saw that Moshe was a rich man, for the house was large and spacious with ex­pensive furniture and beautiful carpets. They sat on a leather couch and the Chassid began.

“I am a Chabad Chas-

sid. A few days ago I was called by the Rebbe Rashab. He asked me to travel to Vitebsk and to go straight to you. The Rebbe found out that you have a bi- chel (a booklet) written by the Tzemach Tzedek.”

Moshe looked at the Chassid in bewilderment. “How does the Rebbe know I have such a book­let?”

“I don’t know, and it’s not important,” said the Chassid. “What’s important is that the Rebbe wants to buy it from you. He said he would pay you a lot of money.”

Moshe smiled and looked around at his fine living room and said, “As you can see, I don’t lack for money. I am not a Chassid and do not have to obey your Rebbe. Tell the Reb- be that I will not sell the bichel for all the money in the world. I appreciate its worth which is why I want to keep it.”

The Chassid tried to per­suade him, to explain and re­quest, but Moshe was not inter­ested. He wasn’t selling.

The Chassid left in great disappointment. He reported to the Rebbe sadly, “I … I am so sorry but I was not able to carry out the assignment. He is a wealthy man and money does not convince him. He said he will not sell the bichel at any price.”

The Rebbe’s face turned grave and after a few mo­ments he said firmly, “Go back to him and say that if he agrees to sell the bichel for the mon­ey I offered, fine. If not, I will take him to a din Torah. The Tzemach Tzedek did not sell his writings! If someone has them, that means he stole them! The Tzemach Tzedek was my grandfather and we are in­heritors. Those writings belong here.”

The Chassid trembled and rushed back to Moshe to repeat what the Rebbe said.

When he heard the Rebbe’s sharp rejoinder, Moshe became frightened and he immediately agreed to sell the bichel for the sum the Rebbe offered.