A Shabbat Story: One More Blessing and a Life Was Changed

In this week’s parsha (Torah portion), we read about Hashem commanding Moshe to appoint his brother Aharon as the Kohen (priest). The Midrash explains: “Take Aharon and persuade him with words because he is running away from authority.” Moshe had to gently convince Aharon to accept this sacred role.

Many years later in Poland, three friends, hidden tzaddikim (righteous men) also shied away from public recognition. They made a quiet agreement among themselves: none of them would allow himself to become known before the others. These three holy men were Rabbi Mordechai of Neshchiz, Rabbi Aryeh Leib of Shpola (often called “the Zeideh,” meaning “Grandfather”), and Rabbi Mordechai “the Cantor” of Zaslov. All three would eventually be known for their great holiness and leadership, but only when Heaven decided it was time.

Years passed, and Rabbi Aryeh Leib heard news that his dear friend, Rabbi Mordechai of Neshchiz, had become a well-known Rebbe, leading a court of chassidim (followers) with thousands of people coming to him for guidance and blessings. This surprised Rabbi Aryeh Leib, since it went against their original agreement. So he set out to visit his old friend and understand what had happened.

When he arrived in Neshchiz, he found the beis midrash (study hall) and courtyard overflowing with people, each waiting for their turn to speak with the tzaddik. As a close friend, Rabbi Aryeh Leib bypassed the line, expecting to be welcomed privately.

But the attendants didn’t recognize him. To them, he looked like just another impatient visitor, and they pushed him back. “There’s a line, sir!” they shouted. “Wait your turn like everyone else.”

Rabbi Aryeh Leib ignored them and called out loudly, “Morduch!”, a familiar nickname for Rabbi Mordechai. The attendants were shocked to hear the rabbi’s name spoken so casually and even raised their hands to remove him by force.

Just then, Rabbi Mordechai of Neshchiz heard the voice of his old friend and rushed out to greet him. He welcomed him with great warmth and brought him into his private room.

Rabbi Aryeh Leib turned to him and asked, “We agreed we would stay hidden and not become known before each other. So why did you go public?”

Rabbi Mordechai sighed and answered, “Believe me, I never intended to become famous. It all happened against my will. Let me tell you how it began.”

During his travels, Rabbi Mordechai would stay in different Jewish towns, trying to inspire the local communities with Torah and yiras shamayim (awe of Heaven). One time, he stayed at the home of a simple, kind-hearted Jew. As he was about to leave, the host asked him for a blessing, and Rabbi Mordechai gave it with a full heart.

The wife, who had worked so hard to care for the guest, asked, “Don’t I deserve a blessing too?” Of course, Rabbi Mordechai blessed her as well. Then the sons came and each asked for something: a good match, a good living, love of Torah, awe of Heaven. Rabbi Mordechai blessed each one with kindness.

As he reached the courtyard gate and was about to get into his wagon, the host suddenly ran out, breathless. “Rabbi! I have one more son, please bless him too!” Rabbi Mordechai was in a hurry and didn’t want to delay the journey. So he said, “Let him come here, and I will bless him. I cannot return inside.”

“The boy came, and I gave him a blessing,” Rabbi Mordechai continued. “But what I didn’t know then was that this son had been paralyzed for about eight years. He had never been able to walk. And the moment they called him to come to me, he stood up from his bed and walked like everyone else, he was completely healed, before the blessing even reached him.”

This incredible story spread quickly through the region, and people began to flock to Rabbi Mordechai. From that moment on, despite his wishes to stay hidden, he became known far and wide as a holy man. And that is how his public life as a Rebbe began, not through ambition or desire for honor, but through a quiet miracle that revealed his greatness to the world.