Weekly Story: I Am Inviting the King

by Rabbi Sholom DovBer Avtzon

This past Tuesday was Yud Aleph Nissan and as a preparation many chassidim learned the maamar B’Yom Ashtei Uhser Yom, where the Rebbe explains the extra intelligence in inviting the King Himself and not his ministers, as powerful and as beneficial to the host as they may be.

While one may think that it is an obvious decision and conclusion that any logical person would make, after all the King is much more powerful than they, as their entire power and prestige comes from the fact that the King appointed them and he can take it away from them at His will, so the Rebbe explains why the midrash points out that it was made by a wise man, and why not everyone would make that decision
When discussing this maamar during a farbrengen in Reyim Ahuvim this past Shabbos I used a known chassidishe story to explain it. I will share that story and thought with everyone.

As always your feedback is most welcome and appreciated.

Reb Zev Kitzis was a student of the Baal Shem Tov and he had a yearning to move and settle in Eretz Yisroel. However, a student doesn’t leave his teacher without discussing it with himself , so he went to the Baal Shem Tov and explained his deep desire to live in Eretz Yisroel.

The Baal Shem Tov replied that he should not go, and so he remained. However, as the year went on , he couldn’t dismiss his desire and yearning and once again requested permission to move to Eretz Hakodesh, and the Baal Shem Tov again answered no.

He tried to dismiss his desire, explaining that it is destined for him, but to no avail. The desire intensified and after another year, he asked for a third time. He was not surprised when the Baal Shem Tov once again told him to stay.

But that didn’t calm down his desire, to the contrary it only intensified and after many months he could no longer ignore it and he decided to go. Hopefully the Rebbe the Baal Shem Tov would understand.

In those days the way people traveled from Russia and Ukraine to Eretz Thank goodness I am not Yisroel was by going to Istanbul Turkey and taking a boat from there and after some days traveling by a wagon Reb Zev arrived in Instanbul.

The cost of the boat ticket emptied his savings but he was thrilled, after Shabbos the boat will be leaving and his life long dream will be finally actualized. But in the meantime he has to find a host for Shabbos.
Walking down the street, he heard the sound of a wagon and as he moved aside he noticed that sitting in the wagon was none other than the Baal Shem Tov, himself.

The wagon stopped and the Baal Shem Tov asked, “Reb Zev, what are you doing here in Instanbul?”
Rebbe, what shall I tell you, my desire to be in Eretz Hakodesh gave me no rest, and I decided to go.
Go in peace replied the Baal Shem Tov and tell me did you go to the mikva yet in honor of Shabbos?
Rebbe not yet as I used all my money in traveling here and purchasing a ticket, replied Reb Zev. Come in the wagon and you will come with me said the Baal Shem Tov.

Reb Zev was now thrilled, the Baal Shem Tov granted his wish, he will not have the guilt feeling that he went against the guidance his Rebbe gave. However, as soon as Reb Zev came out of the mikva, he said, Rebbe, I am not going to Eretz Hakodesh.

The Baal Shem Tov asked and why not?

Rebbe what should I tell you, While I was in the mikva, I had a vision. I saw myself boarding the ship and I was full of happiness and anticipation, I am really going to fulfill my dream!

I then saw the shore from a distance and my heart is leaping with joy. As soon as I got off the boat I kissed the earth, Boruch Hashem it is a reality.

I then noticed that I was coming close to Yerushalayim and it was an incredible feeling. A moment later I was standing outside the Beis HaMikdash and what should I say, it was unbelievable as the gates and doors opened.

I walked in and the curtains in front of the Kodesh Hakodeshim parted and I looked inside and I was aghast …. the holy Aron was not there.…,

I asked the angels where is the Aron? And they replied the Aron is in Mezibuzh!

Now Reb Zev was an extremely intelligent person, he understood the greatness and holiness of Eretz Yisroel.!!! But this vision showed him that as holy as it is the true holiness is in Mezibuzh by the Baal Shem Tov.

The same is with us, we can be accomplishing great things. We can be in charge of institutions or some other important organization, however, the shechina is by the Rebbe.

I am inviting the Rebbe into my house.

The Rebbe explains that when one invites a king into his house, it is not that the king is a guest or visitor, but that he should feel so comfortable as if it is his house.

That is the present we should aspire to give the Rebbe.

I take the opportunity to wish everyone a chag kosher v’sameiach, and we shall all merit to eat from the korbin Pesach in the third Beis HaMikdash this year.

Rabbi Avtzon is a veteran mechanech and the author of numerous books on the Rebbeim and their chassidim. He can be contacted at avtzonbooks@gmail.com