Reb Michel Vishetsky was a young man who had recently come to the United States from Russia. In Russia, Reb Michel was active in the underground Refuseniks movement, teaching Judaism secretly.
When he arrived to the freedom of America, he did not forget about his friends who were still in Russia. He became active in an organization which aided Russian Refuseniks by sending them packages of food and clothing to help them survive.
Reb Michel would travel from synagogue to synagogue and tell the story of the difficulties which our brethren in Russia had to contend with because of their desire to keep Torah and Mitzvot. He would turn to the congregants and ask them to generously help support the efforts of Ezrat Achim to help the plight of these self-sacrificing Jews.
During one of these excursions, Reb Michel decided to go to a synagogue in the Bronx, New York. He was hoping to meet Rabbi Rabinowitz, the rabbi of the synagogue. The rabbi agreed to meet with Reb Michel in his synagogue. When Reb Michel arrived he found the rabbi sitting over a large volume and studying. No one else was present. The rabbi invited Reb Michel to join him at the table. Reb Michel saw that the seat at the head of the table was empty and decided to sit down there facing the rabbi who was sitting at the side.
No sooner did he step towards this seat, then the rabbi said, “On this seat no one sits!”
Reb Michel was taken aback. Seeing the surprised look on his face, the rabbi began to explain.
“When you hear the story I am about to tell you, you will understand the reason for this,” the rabbi announced. Reb Michel was eager to hear what the rabbi was about to tell him.
The rabbi began:
“It was after World War II, where I, like so many others, went through many trials and tribulations. During these years, I ended up in Samarkand, where I met many Chabad Chassidim, and they helped me tremendously. I saw firsthand their dedication to Torah and mitzvot without compromise under the most trying conditions. I saw their love and care for every Jew and how they helped whomever they were able, as they did for me.
“When I arrived, thank G-d, to the shores of America in the summer of 1949, I decided to go see the Lubavitcher Rebbe (the Previous Rebbe zt’l). I merited to have a yechidut (private audience) with him. I told the Rebbe all I went through in Europe and about the Chassidim in Samarkand. The Rebbe listened carefully and asked me many questions. I then asked the Previous Rebbe for guidance what to do for a livelihood?
“The Previous Rebbe told me, “’Since you are knowledgeable in Torah, it would be a good idea for you to look for a position as a rabbi of a synagogue.’”
“A short while later I was offered the position of rabbi in this synagogue in the Bronx. Again, I went to the Previous Rebbe to seek his advice if this is the right choice for me. The Previous Rebbe looked at me and slowly and deliberately responded, “’A synagogue is a synagogue, and this is a good choice for you; but the shamash (beadle of the synagogue) does not find favor in my eyes.’”
“I felt confused by these words. Seeing my confusion, the Previous Rebbe repeated again, “’A synagogue is a synagogue, but the shamash (beadle of the synagogue) does not find favor in my eyes.’”
“The words of the Previous Rebbe were said and as I exited his holy room, he turned to me once more and said, “’It would be proper for you to come back here on Sunday in two weeks.’” Once again, these cryptic words were not clear to me, though I resolved to follow the suggestion of the Rebbe and accepted the role of rabbi of the synagogue in the Bronx.
“When I returned to 770, the synagogue of the Rebbe, two week later, I found a massive crowd in front of the synagogue. It was then that I learned that the Previous Rebbe zt’l had passed away on Shabbat morning, the 10th of Shevat. I now understood that the Previous Rebbe felt that I would want to be present at this time.
“Weeks and months passed. The congregation was happy with me and I too felt comfortable in my new role. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, until I realized that the shamash was not so happy with my presence and had begun instigating other members against me. In the beginning he acted quietly to try and trip me up, but when that didn’t work, he became more and more aggressive and did whatever he could to make my life miserable.
“The situation became unbearable, and I decided to seek the advice of the Previous Rebbe’s son in law, who was now considered the Rebbe, to seek his counsel.
“When I entered the Rebbe’s room, before I even had a chance to say anything, the Rebbe turned to me and said, “My father in law told you that , “’A synagogue is a synagogue, but the shamash (beadle of the synagogue) does not find favor in my eyes.’” “’My suggestion to you is that you continue in your position as rabbi in the Bronx and find a way to remove the shamash from his position.’”
“I was very moved by these words, as no one else was in the room when I had spoken to the Previous Rebbe. Still, I did not know how I could remove the shamash from his position which he had held for such a long time and continued to hold onto strongly. I asked the Rebbe what I could do to solve this problem?
“’I am certain,” said the Rebbe, “’that with time it will become obvious that he is doing things which are inappropriate which will result in his dismissal, if he is caught red handed. May G-d guide you and make you successful.’”
“The words of the Rebbe returned hope to my soul. I felt that I was in the presence of a saintly person.
“I returned home and continued in my position as before.
“One night I could not sleep. The thoughts and shenanigans of the shamash gave me no rest. As soon as it became light outside, I decided to get up and go early to the synagogue. On my way I met the president of the synagogue and the gabbai who had also come early. I was surprised to see them so early. Before I had a chance to ask any questions, the gabbai pointed to the window and said,
“’Strange, there is light in the synagogue. I wonder who could be there so early in the morning. Let’s go carefully.’”
“We opened the door slowly and carefully and stepped inside. What we saw sent a chill down our backs! There, standing next to the bima (lectern) stood the shamash of the synagogue, holding the tzedakah (charity) box and emptying its contents into his pockets! He was so busy with his illicit business that he did not even notice our entry until we were next to him.
“That very day he was dismissed from his position!”
“In the coming years, the congregation continued to thrive in peace and tranquility, until another incident arose which was even more dramatic than the first.”
“I returned home and continued in my position as before.
“One night I could not sleep. The thoughts and shenanigans of the shamash gave me no rest. As soon as it became light outside, I decided to get up and go early to the synagogue. On my way I met the president of the synagogue and the gabbai who had also come early. I was surprised to see them so early. Before I had a chance to ask any questions, the gabbai pointed to the window and said,
“’Strange, there is light in the synagogue. I wonder who could be there so early in the morning. Let’s go carefully.’”
“We opened the door slowly and carefully and stepped inside. What we saw sent a chill down our backs! There, standing next to the bima (lectern) stood the shamash of the synagogue, holding the tzedakah (charity) box and emptying its contents into his pockets! He was so busy with his illicit business that he did not even notice our entry until we were next to him.
“That very day he was dismissed from his position!”
“In the coming years, the congregation continued to thrive in peace and tranquility, until another incident arose which was even more dramatic than the first.”
To be continued…
Translated from Raboseinu Nesieinu (Hebrew) Pages 186-190
Melava Malka Stories 