Presented for Chai Elul, the birthday of the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe
Our story took place over 200 years ago. In Germany lived a wealthy Jew who had eight sons. One day he gathered them and said, “My dear children, you have grown and matured and the time has come for you to go to a place of Torah. Travel far away to any yeshiva you like, to learn and devote yourselves to the study of Torah.”
The sons listened closely and the father continued, “I have just one request to ask of you. In exactly three years from now, return here. I will welcome you joyously and will arrange a festive meal in your honor as befits Torah scholars.”
The sons obeyed and with tears they parted from one another and from their dear parents. Each of the children went to another place and they all delved into their Torah study.
One of the sons, Yechiel Michl, went to Mezhibuzh and became a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. He was outstanding in his constant learning of Torah, fear of heaven, and good character. He eventually married Udel, the daughter of the Baal Shem Tov.
Three years went by and Yechiel Michl remembered his father’s request. He went to his Rebbe to ask for a blessing for his trip. The Baal Shem Tov blessed him to travel in peace and return in peace. Yechiel Michl asked for a bracha that he return for the Yomim Nora’im. It was now close to Shavuos but the Baal Shem Tov seemed to ignore his request. Yechiel Michl realized that there was a reason for this and that he probably would not return to the Baal Shem Tov for yom tov.
When he arrived at his parents’ house he was excited to meet his brothers. They had all returned as G-d fearing Torah scholars. Their father had much nachas from them and prepared a festive seudas mitzva and invited the scholars of the town.
Each of the sons was asked to say a d’var Torah and their father listened and was thrilled. Only Yechiel Michl said nothing but was completely involved in the good food that was served. His father was very embarrassed by his behavior and at the end of the meal he quietly said to him, “My son, why did you embarrass me in front of all the guests? Do you have nothing to say?”
The son apologized and said, “Tomorrow, G-d willing, I will also say a d’var Torah at the meal and I will try to correct the impression I made.”
The next day another meal took place. Once again, Yechiel Michl sat and enjoyed the food despite his father’s glares. After each learned talk that was given, he asked very clever questions which demolished the entire talk. Nobody was able to answer his questions. They all realized he was a tremendous Torah scholar.
When it was his turn to speak, he enthusiastically told about the Baal Shem Tov and his wondrous path in serving Hashem. He repeated the divrei Torah that he heard from the Baal Shem Tov and explained that a Jew needs to elevate to holiness everything he deals with, even material things like food. “When you eat in a manner of holiness, you are elevating the sparks of holiness within the food. Isn’t this a wondrous delight?” he asked with sparkling eyes.
Then his father realized how great his son was and understood his different way of behaving.
After a few days with his father, Yechiel Michl was ready to head back to the beis midrash of the Baal Shem Tov, in the hope of being there for the Yomim Nora’im.
On the way, bandits grabbed him and robbed him of everything. Only his tallis, t’fillin and shofar remained in his possession. The cruel robbers then sold him to slave traders who put him on a boat.
As they sailed, a big storm erupted and it was only through miracles that Yechiel Michl survived and reached the shore. He looked around him and saw he was on a small, isolated island that was far from civilization. Since he had nowhere to stay, he tore branches and built himself a little hut. He ate from the fruits of the trees and immersed himself in the sea. He spent his days in prayer and study.
A few days passed and it was Rosh HaShana. The first night of Rosh HaShana Yechiel Michl davened with great concentration. He could picture himself in the beis midrash with the Baal Shem Tov, davening with the Chassidim.
In the morning he rose and davened with great concentration. When he finished Shacharis, he took his shofar and blew it with all the holy intentions. He did the same during Musaf.
He was so immersed in prayer that he did not notice many eyes upon him. Other people on the island who heard the sound of the shofar had gathered around him. They looked at the strange figure wrapped in a white garment with strings, holding a ram’s horn and making powerful sounds with it.
They ran off in a fright to the king and told him what they saw. The king sent for Yechiel Michl who told him his story. He explained what a Jew is and what Rosh HaShana is, and asked the king to help him return to his wife and father-in-law.
The king was very impressed by the man. He saw Yechiel Michl as an unusual man, wise and noble, and he said, “A miracle has occurred for you. A ship comes here just once a year and that will be in another few days.”
The king tried to convince him to remain and help him rule but Yechiel Michl refused the honor.
“If so, then I have a request of you,” said the king. “When you return home, send three hundred Jews here.”
Yechiel Michl said, “I cannot do that. I cannot force Jews to come here. If G-d wants Jews to come here, they would have to come here, even in chains.”
The king accepted his answer and sent him on his way with honor and even gave him valuable gifts.
When Yechiel Michl arrived in Mezhibuzh, he told the Baal Shem Tov everything that happened to him. The Baal Shem Tov said, “You responded well to the king. You should know that you went to that island by divine providence. Since the creation of the world, sparks of holiness fell there and were waiting for someone to release them. You, with your prayers and shofar blowing, saved these souls. If you had not gone there, Jews would have had to go there in chains. The reason that Hashem scattered Jews throughout the world was in order to spread G-dliness and redeem those sparks. Since you went there and did the job, Jews will not have to go there until the coming of Moshiach, because you already carried out the G-dly mission. When all Jews carry out their mission, Moshiach will come and redeem us all.”