Moshe was the humblest man on earth.
The Hidden Tzaddik of Konstantin[1]
Rabbi Aharon of Titiyov, the grandson of the holy Baal Shem Tov, lived for a time in the town of Konstantin. Although he was of such holy lineage, he conducted himself with extreme humility. In that town lived great chassidim—men of stature in Torah and fear of Heaven, disciples of the Maggid of Mezritch—and yet Rabbi Aharon, still young, would hide himself among them as though he were nothing. When they traveled together to Mezritch, he would sit with the wagon driver rather than among the elder chassidim, and he never placed himself in a position of honor.
He minimized his involvement in their gatherings and instead devoted himself entirely to prayer and service of God. He would arrive early to the synagogue and remain long after others had finished. While the chassidim would sit together after prayers, he would still be deep in his devotions. At night, after everyone had gone home, he would remain alone learning for hours, often until midnight or even dawn. Seeing this, the chassidim began to suspect him. They criticized him sharply: “Do you consider yourself a rebbe, that you act this way?” But he did not respond. He remained silent and continued his service as before.
Before the Maggid of Mezritch
The chassidim decided to bring their complaints before the Maggid of Mezritch. When they arrived, they spoke against Rabbi Aharon, while he stood silently in awe. The Maggid looked at him with a smile and drew him near with warmth. Then he blessed him: “From now on, may the Blessed One help you, that through your pure service you will bring salvation to Israel.” And to the others he said, “Be careful with him. Do not scrutinize him, for he is a holy man.” Those who had spoken against him stood in shock and shame, regretting their words.
The Prayer to Remain Hidden
When they returned home, Rabbi Aharon continued as before, sitting again beside the wagon driver. The chassidim now wished to honor him, but he refused. Finally, they forced him into a place of honor through a trick. When he found himself compelled to sit there, he said quietly, “Now I must pray that they forget what the Maggid said about me.” And indeed, this prayer was fulfilled. Within a short time, everything was forgotten, and they no longer regarded him with special attention.
Life in Poverty and Seclusion
Rabbi Aharon lived in terrible poverty. He, his wife, and his children suffered hunger, yet no one took notice of them. It was as though he himself had erased his presence from the awareness of others. Eventually he could not pay his rent and was forced to move into a ruin at the edge of the town—a place feared by all because of harmful spirits said to dwell there. Relying on the teaching that harmful forces cannot affect a group, he brought his family there, and they lived together in one small intact room, careful never to leave a person alone inside.
Even in such conditions, he continued his avodah quietly and steadily, and the people of the town simply forgot about him entirely.
The Night of Birth
When the time came for his wife to give birth, there was no one to help. He feared leaving her alone in such a place, so he lifted her onto his shoulders and carried her into town to fetch a midwife, then carried her back again. The midwife, upon seeing the poverty of the home—without food, firewood, or even a candle—was stunned. Unable to leave alone in the night, she finally took one of the children and went to gather what was needed. The child was born safely.
The next morning, the midwife went to the synagogue and rebuked the chassidim loudly: “How can it be that such a man is left in such conditions?” Only then did they remember the words of the Maggid. They collected some money and promised assistance—but soon afterward, as before, they forgot again.
The Struggle for Torah
His suffering continued. When he could not pay the teacher for his children’s learning, they were sent home. This pained him deeply. “Poverty I can endure,” he said, “but that my children should sit idle from Torah—I cannot.” He went to the synagogue and asked for help. The chassidim immediately agreed, making a list of commitments to support him.
But after they left, he regretted his reliance on human help. He poured out his heart in prayer that they should forget their commitments—and they did.
The Hidden Revelation
One poor old man had witnessed everything. Later, when a plague struck children in a nearby town, he revealed the story. He told them of the hidden tzaddik and advised them to bring him to their town. They came with great honor and a fine carriage, but Rabbi Aharon refused again and again, saying, “I am no tzaddik.” Only when they insisted strongly did he agree, and even then only on condition that the carriage remain ready for his immediate return.
The Salvation and the Escape
As soon as he arrived in the town, the plague ceased. Joy filled the city. People gathered, bringing gifts and money. But Rabbi Aharon quietly slipped away, climbed into the waiting carriage, and ordered the driver to return home at once, taking nothing with him. The townspeople cried out and tried to stop him, but he said, “Do not attribute this to me. The Holy One helped you even before I came.”
Revelation and Acceptance
Eventually, the truth became known. The people realized his greatness and would no longer allow him to remain hidden. They came to him as a community, requesting that he become their rabbi and provide for his livelihood. This time he accepted, seeing that it was from Heaven.
From then on he became known as Rabbi Aharon of Titiyov, and he brought many salvations to Israel.
[1] Sippurei Chassidim Behalosecha