Weekly Story: Tisha B’Av Cancelled

by Rabbi Sholom DovBer Avtzon

As noted during the last few months, I was writing a book on the Shpoler Zeide and it is now being edited. I chose this story about him which was written by his descendant Rabbi Moshe Aharon Geisinsky a”h, and was given to me his his children. May we merit that this year shall be fulfilled the prophecy that these days will turn to be days of happiness and joy.

Concerning last weeks article, I wrote that the Rov Reb Alter Yitzchok Yaakov related it later on to his congregant. However, that was a mistake as he was biftar in 5727 (1867) and it was his son that related it explaining that if the Lubavitcher Rebbe helped save my father, the least I can do is allow his chassidim to speak in my fathers shul.

Concerning the other question as why did the Rebbe Rashab choose tztzis I might discuss that another week.

Cancelling Tishah B’Av

The custom used it be that whenever there was a celebration such as a bris or wedding, a friend or
relative would honor the guests with a drink of beer or a similar beverage. There was once a bris on Erev
Tishah B’Av, and no one brought any beer. This was as a precaution so the participants would not
become intoxicated and be unable to daven Maariv and say Eichah and Kinos properly that night.

The Zeide, who was also at the bris, asked loudly, “Who is honoring the participants with beer?”
Understanding that the Zeide desired that nonetheless beer should be served, one individual
announced, “I will distribute beer.” He went home and brought a large quantity of beer, giving each
participant a full cup.

Seeing that everything that individual had brought was finished, the Zeide asked once again, “Who will
honor us with beer?” Once again someone replied that he would do so, and he gave everyone another
full cup. This repeated itself numerous times, and the people drank much more than they were
accustomed to.

When night fell and it was time to daven Maariv, there was no minyan to be found. The gabbai went
from house to house, hoping to bring some people to help complete the minyan. But in every house he
entered the male adults were so intoxicated that they didn’t hear his request.

The Zeide walked around the shul snapping his fingers and exclaimed, “Master of the universe! I
interfered with you. I am telling You that to be able to help a Jew forget his troubles and sorrow even
for a short while is more precious to me than Your Kinos and the entire Tishah B’Av!”

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