The Berditchever's Candles
Rav Shlomo Chaim of Koydinov once related that one Channukah the Berditchever said, "I am jealous of all those who live in the country, their custom is to light Channukah candles by sticking the wax candles on the wall. When the candles burn they leave a mark, and this mark lasts on their wall all year long! When the wax melts and the candles burn down to the wall this leaves a mark from the burning candles." And as the holy Berditchever said these words tongues of flame from the candles of his own oil menorah reached out to lick the walls of his home!
(Pri Yesha Aharon Karlin p 266 cited in Yalkut Kedushas Levi p187)
Another traditional tale; this version is found in
36 Candles Chassidic Tales for Chanukah by Libi Astaire http://www.amazon.com/36-Candles-Chassidic-Chanukah-ebook/dp/B0047DW77U
It was Chanukah in Berditchev, and the shul of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was packed.
But even though the hour had come, the menorah was ready, and Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was
present, nothing happened. The Rebbe just stood by the menorah and waited. And waited.
No one dared to speak, but everyone was wondering the same thing: Why didn't the
Rebbe begin? What was causing the delay?
The answer came in the form of a simple Jew named Chatzkel, who flung open the
door to the shul and rushed inside, in a vain attempt to disappear into the crowd. Vain,
because Rabbi Levi Yitzchak had other plans for the chassid
"Chatzkel, please come here," said the Rebbe.
It wasn't like Rabbi Levi Yitzchak to chastise or embarrass a person. His way, when
he had to reprimand someone, was to emphasize a person's good points so that the person
became embarrassed, on his own, to do wrong. Still, Chatzkel knew that he was late. And
when he saw that the menorah was still unlit, his cheeks turned red. Is the Rebbe waiting
for me? he wondered, as he walked to the front of the room.
"Don't be embarrassed, Chatzkel," said the Rebbe, smiling. "I'm sure it wasn't your
fault that you were late. But would you please tell us what caused the delay."
"I work on the estate of the poritz, Rebbe," said Chatzkel. "I'm one of his personal
attendants. One of my jobs is to serve him his supper. Tonight he dined a little later than
usual. That's why I was late."
"Is the poritz well?"
"He should be, considering all the food he eats. His dinner never consists of less than
three courses. He's even hired a cook from France, who prepares all sorts of fancy dishes.
I don't think the poritz has ever gone to bed hungry in his life."
"Ah, but good health isn't just a matter of good and plentiful food. A person also
needs his rest. Does the poritz sleep well at night?"
Before he answered, the chassid glanced around room, wondering if he was the only
one who found the Rebbe's questions to be a little odd. After all, what did the health of
the poritz have to do with Chanukah?
The puzzled expressions all around him, confirmed Chatzkel's doubts. But the Rebbe
was still smiling and waiting for him to answer, and so he said, "Of course, the poritz
sleeps well. His mattress is stuffed with the softest goose feathers that money can buy.
And he has plenty of thick blankets to keep him warm on a cold winter's night. I don't
think he's ever had to make due with a mattress stuffed with twigs and straw, or a blanket
that has more holes than cloth. Life is good for the poritz, Rebbe. Life is very, very
good."
"Does the poritz light Chanukah candles?"
"Of course not, Rebbe!"
"Then why do you say that the poritz has a good life?" asked Rabbi Levi Yitzchak,
whose expression had become very serious. "Is that all there is to life? Eating and
sleeping? Should we envy such a person, just because he has a three-course dinner and a
feather bed and we don't?
"I say, Chatzkel, it is the Jews who have it good. Mitzvos are the only source of true
joy in this world. Those who busy themselves with performing the commandments and
doing good deeds are the only ones who have a truly good life."
With that, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak began to chant the blessings for lighting the
menorah. After each blessing, the chassidim called out, with great joy, "Amen!"
Kol Tuv,
R' Tal Moshe Zwecker
Director Machon Be'er Mayim Chaim
Chassidic Classics in the English Language
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