A Shabbat Story: The Brave Rabbi and the Test of Krakow

In the great city of Krakow, excitement filled the streets. But before we explain why, it’s important to understand what Krakow meant in those days. It was a city of Torah, a center of deep learning, filled with exceptional scholars, something like Jerusalem is for us today. Torah study was at the heart of the community, and the people were proud of their sages.

At this moment, a remarkable new chapter was about to begin. Rabbi Shimon Sofer, a brilliant and righteous scholar, was on his way to become the city’s new rabbi. He was the son of the legendary Rabbi Moshe Sofer, known as the Chatam Sofer of Pressburg, whose wisdom and dedication to Torah were known throughout the Jewish world. Rabbi Shimon’s appointment was reason for celebration.

But there was also tension in the air. The scholars of Krakow were known for their greatness, and they held high expectations. They believed that only someone who clearly surpassed them in Torah knowledge could serve as the city’s rabbi. If a candidate was merely their equal, he wasn’t good enough. Only someone who could answer every question with dignity and depth could sit in the rabbinical seat of Krakow.

As Rabbi Shimon’s carriage approached the city gates, the leader of the community waited for him, respectful but visibly anxious. After exchanging warm greetings, the leader asked a surprising question.

“Did your honor receive the telegram I sent?” he asked.

Rabbi Shimon nodded and calmly pulled the folded message from his pocket.

“I received it,” he said, “but I haven’t read it yet.”

The telegram read: “The new rabbi is requested not to come to Krakow. Signed: The community leader.”

Seeing Rabbi Shimon’s puzzled expression, the leader explained.

“I was afraid,” he admitted. “The scholars here are going to challenge you with halachic questions. If you can’t answer them, your very first sermon might become an embarrassment. People may demand your removal before you’ve even begun.”

But Rabbi Shimon wasn’t shaken.

“Please continue with the preparations,” he said gently. “I’ll manage.”

When the day of the sermon arrived, the synagogue was packed. After years without a new rabbi, the entire town gathered. No one else had been willing to risk public humiliation, standing in front of a sea of Torah scholars ready to challenge any word you say. But Rabbi Shimon, the son of the Chatam Sofer, stood ready, calm and confident.

As the crowd leaned in, waiting for the halachic discussion to begin, Rabbi Shimon surprised them.

“Before I begin,” he said, “I want to tell you a story. A true story from my youth.”

The scholars exchanged looks and smiled skeptically. A story? they thought. He must be afraid of their questions. He’s stalling. But Rabbi Shimon continued, undeterred.

“I was a young bar mitzvah boy, learning with my father, the Chatam Sofer. During our learning, a Jewish man burst into the room. He told my father that the local butcher was selling non-kosher meat and refusing to listen to the experts who ruled the meat unfit. Worse, the butcher was threatening anyone who tried to warn others and he said he’d attack them with the same knife he used to cut the meat.

My father stopped our learning. He sent me, his young son to deliver a warning. ‘Tell the butcher,’ he said, ‘that if he does not stop this, I will have to punish him severely.’

I was terrified. My father saw this and taught me a special name of Hashem to focus on. ‘If he tries to attack you,’ he told me, ‘concentrate on this name, and you will be protected.’

I obeyed, trembling. As I approached the butcher’s shop, he saw me and realized why I was coming. He ran at me with his knife raised. I immediately focused on the name my father had given me. And right then, the butcher collapsed. He died on the spot.”

Rabbi Shimon paused. Then, in a firm and steady voice, he addressed the room.

“My teachers and rabbis, if your questions are truly for the sake of Heaven, I welcome them with an open heart. But if anyone dares to challenge Torah from pride or arrogance, be warned: the name my father gave me is still with me.”

The room fell silent. Not a whisper could be heard. And from that moment on, Rabbi Shimon Sofer began his first sermon as the beloved and respected rabbi of Krakow.