Reb Menachem Nochum* was orphaned from his father and mother at a young age. He had a traumatic childhood and continued to suffer many hardships throughout his life.
The young Nochum’s unfortunate circumstances spurred him to enhance his connection with G‑d, embodying the verse in Psalms, “My father and my mother left me, and G‑d brought me in.”
His relationship with G-d continued to strengthen him and he grew up to be a holy Tzadik.
When the Baal Shem Tov heard about him, he sent emissaries to bring him to him. At the time he was a melamed – a teacher of young children. He refused to go and leave his students without someone to teach them. When the Baal Shem Tov heard this, he sent one of his students to take over for him and this time, Reb Nochum came.
Reb Nochum spent two prolonged periods of time with the holy Baal Shem Tov. After the Baal Shem Tov passed away, he became a student of Reb Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezrtich, who became the next leader of the Chassidic movement.
When he returned home after his first stay with the Baal Shem Tov, Reb Nochum began serving as a maggid (a preacher who would regularly inspire the masses with teachings about ethics, morality, and religious observance).
From time to time, he would travel to different locales to see what the Jewish people in that city needed improvement in. Reb Nochum heard about a city that couldn’t afford to build a mikvah. He traveled there and announced, “Whoever pays to build a mikvah, I will sell him my portion in the World to Come.”
In that city there lived a wealthy person who was a miser and never gave charity – tzedakah to any communal needs. He realized that this was a golden opportunity to earn his place in paradise. He put down the money for the construction of the mikvah, plus more to pay for the heating of the mikvah for many years. Reb Nochum wrote up a document stating that he sells his portion in the World to Come to the benefactor, and it was signed by witnesses.
People asked Reb Nochum why he agreed to give away his eternal reward, and Reb Nochum explained that this is his way of giving charity. “I don’t have money. My only asset is my Divine reward. So, I gave that away for G‑d’s honor. This is how I fulfill the commandment in the Shema Yisrael prayer which begins with Veahavta et Hashem Elokecha bechol levavcha uvechol nafshecha uvehol meodecha – to serve G‑d bechol meodecha, with all your means.”
A beautiful mikvah was built in this city.
In actuality, Reb Nochum earned a nice salary serving as a maggid – a preacher, but nevertheless, he and his wife were always poor, as he gave most of his money to the destitute.
Reb Nochum excelled in the mitzvah of pidyon shevuyim, raising money to release people from prison. When Reb Nochum himself was imprisoned for a time, many of his followers were surprised that the merit of saving people from jail didn’t protect him. But Reb Nochum explained that the imprisonment was for his benefit, because now that he knows how painful it is to be a prisoner, he will perform the mitzvah of pidyon shvuyim in an even better manner.
Toward the end of his life, Reb Nochum became ill and was forced to borrow money to pay the doctors. His colleague, the Alter Rebbe, raised money to help him pay off his debts.
Reb Nochum passed away on 11 Cheshvan, 5558 (1797), leaving behind a wealth of inspiration, good deeds, and teachings that continue to nourish the soul.
Adapted from Chabad.org article by Rabbi Baruch Twersky.
*Rabbi Menachem Nochum Twersky (1730 – 1798) was a student of the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid of Mezeritch, and the author of the Chasidic work Meor Einayim. In 1773, he initiated his own Chasidic court in Chernobyl, founded on the pillars of humility and sincerity (temimut). Upon his passing, he was succeeded by his son, Reb Mordechai. Each of Reb Mordechai’s eight sons branched out and founded a Chasidic court of his own. This is the origin of several Chasidic courts of our generation, such as Skver, Rachmastrivka, Tolna, Trisk, Honisteipel, and Chernobyl. Today there are thousands of Twersky progeny around the world, mainly in America and Israel.
A teaching of Reb Menachem Nochum:
Reb Menachem Nochum of Chernobyl taught that the purpose of life is to recognize G‑d in our lives. To facilitate that goal, G‑d provides each individual with the circumstances that will help them attain this awareness. For some, it is easier to discover G‑d when wealthy; others find Him more easily when they struggle with poverty. Some in tranquility; others by overcoming difficulties. Some have wisdom, some strength, some wealth, and some poverty. This is all because G‑d sees, in His wisdom, what each person needs. The specific needs of each person bring about the situation which will help him/her to come close to G-d.
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