A Shabbat Story: The Holy Bachelor

In honor of the yahrzeit of Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism, we tell a powerful story that brings to life the depth of Jewish faith and sacrifice. This story, filled with mystery and holiness, was shared by his grandson, Rabbi Baruch of Mezhbizh.

A group of chassidim once traveled to visit Rabbi Baruch of Mezhbizh. On their way, they suddenly felt an unusual thirst and stopped to look for water in the forest. While searching, they stumbled upon a small gravestone hidden among the trees. It read: “Here lies the holy bachelor who struggled with his desires like Yosef HaTzaddik (Joseph the Righteous).”

When they reached Mezhbizh, they told Rabbi Baruch what they had seen. At his request, they began asking around to find anyone who might know about the mysterious grave.

Eventually, they were led to a very old non-Jewish man, over 100 years old, bedridden yet sharp and alert. He asked that Rabbi Baruch come to hear the story directly from him.

Rabbi Baruch visited him, and the elderly man began his tale.

Many years ago, there was a Jewish orphan named Shmuel-Chaim. After losing his parents, he was taken in by a kind and simple Jewish tailor. The tailor gave him a home, taught him the trade, and shared with him what little Torah he himself knew.

Shmuel-Chaim grew up to be a gentle, wise, and G-d-respecting young man. He used every spare moment to learn Torah, and those who met him were touched by his sincerity and good heart.

One day, a local landowner requested the tailor to send someone to his mansion to repair clothing for the family and staff. The task would take two weeks, and the tailor sent Shmuel-Chaim.

He worked quietly in a room of the large estate. The household members soon noticed how refined and pleasant he was, and they admired the way he used every free moment to learn Torah. Word of this remarkable young man eventually reached the landowner himself.

The landowner came to see Shmuel-Chaim and was so impressed that he called his wife, his daughter, and his close advisors. He then made a surprising announcement: “I’ve found the perfect husband for my only daughter.” He meant Shmuel-Chaim.

Everyone present, including the bride, seemed pleased. But Shmuel-Chaim was stunned. He respectfully told the landowner, “I’m a Jew. I cannot accept this offer.”

The landowner couldn’t believe it. He and his family tried to convince Shmuel-Chaim. They offered him wealth, honor, and even permission to remain Jewish, something unheard of at the time. Even the local priest agreed to make an exception, allowing the marriage without conversion, just to honor the landowner’s wishes. Still, Shmuel-Chaim quietly and firmly refused.

Eventually, the landowner decided the wedding would go ahead with or without the boy’s consent. “Who cares what a poor little Jew thinks?” he said.

Shmuel-Chaim was dressed in fine clothing and brought to the wedding celebration. The room was filled with music and joy, but in the middle of the event, the young man stood up and did something no one expected. He began throwing glasses, plates, and chairs in every direction. The guests panicked and ran. The bride collapsed in shock and, tragically, passed away on the spot.

Furious and humiliated, the landowner ordered a cruel punishment: Shmuel-Chaim was to be buried alive in the courtyard of the mansion.

And so it happened.

But the story doesn’t end there. The Baal Shem Tov, who was alive at the time, knew what had happened, not because someone told him, but through ruach hakodesh, holy spiritual insight. He summoned the same non-Jewish man who had just shared the story and made him a promise: “If you move the body of this holy boy from the mansion’s courtyard to the forest and bury him properly, I promise you long life and good health.”

The man did exactly that.

And now, over 100 years later, he told the story to the Baal Shem Tov’s grandson, just as he had been instructed. As the Baal Shem Tov had said, the day he would pass the story on would be the day his soul would leave this world.

Indeed, shortly after finishing the tale, the man peacefully returned his soul to his Creator.

This is the story of the holy bachelor, a young orphan whose pure soul and deep commitment to Hashem turned him into a true tzaddik, remembered to this day.