Save me from a bad neighbor and bad friend – How a “mistaken” address written by the Tzemach Tzedek saved a Yid from losing his income

“Save me from a bad neighbor and bad friend”

 

Parshas Bamidbar discusses the census taking of the Jewish people and the order of encampment of the tribes during their travel through the desert. On the description of the area of encampment of the Levite family of Kehos, the Midrash, and Rashi comment that Korach, who was from the Kehos family, affected the neighboring tribe of Reuvein, to join the rebellion against Moshe and eventually suffer the fatal consequences which culminated as a result. From here we learn the grave dangers of being a neighbor of a bad person, and hence we pray every single day in the morning when we first begin our day that Hashem save us from a bad neighbor and from a bad friend. The following is a story of an individual who became a victim to an evil friend and acquaintance who connived behind his back to have him evicted from his job and how the Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek miraculously saved his position.

How a “mistaken” address written by the Tzemach Tzedek saved a Yid from losing his income: [1]

In the days of the Tzemach Tzedek, a man named Yankel found himself in dire straits. Yankel, a humble yet resilient innkeeper, rented his inn from a noble minister whose capricious moods dictated the livelihoods of many. That year, misfortune overtook Yankel, and he was unable to pay his rent in full. The minister, known for his harshness, decided to evict Yankel, putting both his business and his family’s future at grave risk. Desperate and with nowhere else to turn, Yankel journeyed to the court of the Tzemach Tzedek, hoping the Rebbe’s wisdom and intercession might save him.

When Yankel reached the Tzemach Tzedek, he explained his plight with tears in his eyes. The Rebbe listened attentively, his serene gaze never wavering. After a moment of silence, the Rebbe asked, “How can I assist you, my dear Yankel?” The innkeeper, trembling with hope, proposed that the Rebbe write a letter to a prominent man named Moshe—an influential figure who provided goods to the minister. “If Moshe pleads my case,” Yankel reasoned, “the minister may relent.”

The Tzemach Tzedek nodded and promptly composed a letter. However, when Yankel received it, his heart sank. The letter was not addressed to the Moshe he had suggested, but to another man named Moshe who lived far away and had no known connection to the minister or the matter at hand. Confused but hesitant to doubt the Rebbe’s intentions, Yankel resolved to return to the Tzemach Tzedek to clarify the apparent error. Before he could do so, the Rebbe’s son intercepted him, saying, “If my father wrote the letter, there is no mistake. Follow his instructions precisely.”

Though still perplexed, Yankel set out to deliver the letter to the distant Moshe. Upon meeting him and presenting the Rebbe’s missive, this Moshe was equally bewildered. “How can I help you?” he asked. “I know neither the minister nor your inn.” Yankel, feeling defeated, could only reply, “The Rebbe must have had a reason. I do not understand it myself.”

That evening, as they sat down for supper, the sound of hoofbeats shattered the stillness. A knock at the gate soon followed. Startled, Moshe went to investigate, only to find a distinguished minister seeking shelter for the night. To Yankel’s astonishment, it was none other than the very minister who owned his inn. Moshe, true to his hospitable nature, welcomed the minister with open arms. He provided fine food, excellent wine, and the utmost courtesy, treating the nobleman as though he were royalty.

The next morning, the minister, thoroughly impressed, offered to compensate Moshe for his hospitality. But Moshe waved the offer away. “I seek no payment,” he said warmly. “Instead, I ask that you show compassion to a man who rents an inn from you—my ‘brother,’ Yankel.” The minister, intrigued, inquired further. Moshe explained Yankel’s dire circumstances and vouched for his honesty and diligence. Moved by Moshe’s eloquence and sincerity, the minister agreed not only to allow Yankel to stay but extended his lease for five more years. He even forgave part of the unpaid rent.

Then, the minister made a startling confession. “I had initially decided to evict your ‘brother,’ influenced by lies whispered to me by another Jew named Moshe, who wished to claim the inn for a relative of his. It seems I was misled.”

Yankel stood speechless, tears welling in his eyes. The Rebbe’s mysterious guidance had not only saved his livelihood but had also exposed the treachery of his enemies. In that moment, Yankel understood the profound wisdom of the Tzemach Tzedek and the miraculous chain of events that had unfolded. What had seemed like a mistake was, in truth, a divine plan.

From that day on, Yankel’s gratitude to the Rebbe knew no bounds, and he told this story to all who would listen, a testament to the power of faith, wisdom, and the unseen hand of providence guiding those who trust in it.

 

The Divine lesson:

So many lessons can be learned from the story, but first and foremost the lesson that relates to our Parsha, which is the need to be cautious of one’s neighbor and the bad influence he may have on you or your family. Often, people actually move homes or decide not to move to a neighborhood because of this potentially negative influence. Sometimes, even a friend or neighbor who we think is truly looking out for our best, is secretly conniving behind our backs my and scheming against us as in the story above. For this reason, the sages themselves instituted to recite daily a prayer to Hashem that we be safe from an evil friend and an evil neighbor. Indeed, the rebbe in his letters would advise people who were seeking consultation for what to do with wicked neighbors other enemies, that they should add in their concentration of this morning prayer and supplication to Hashem, and Hashem willing their prayers will be answered and they will be saved from the evil of their enemies. In this light, Rabbi Mordechai Ashkenazi OBM, the late Rabbi of Kefar Chabad, once related that due to his prestigious position he made enemies with individuals who did not like his rulings and envied his prestige and they would persecute him constantly and give him much suffering. He related that every morning in which he properly concentrated on this prayer to Hashem to help save him from his enemies and evil friends and neighbors, he had a calm and quiet day, and on those days that he didn’t, he would look back and realize that he had recited the prayer without concentration. May Hashem indeed save us all from an evil neighbor, an evil friend, and may we all merit to be good friends and good neighbors to others without seeking vengeance or harm to any other Jew.

[1] Sippurim Noraim p. 180; Likutei Sippurim p. 125; Haparsha Hachassidit [Chazak] Bamidbar p. 17

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