By Dovid Zaklikowski for COLlive and Hasidic Archives
The name Reb Noteh of Monastyryshche was always mentioned with reverence among Chassidic folk. Once, a chassid arrived in the town of Lubavitch and took a room at an inn. When he asked who else was staying there, he was told that Reb Noteh was also a guest.
The chassid was thrilled. He had never merited to see Reb Noteh in person. He began walking around the inn, asking everyone he met where he could find Reb Noteh. As usual, the great chassid’s name drew expressions of awe and love.
One man, however, seemed unmoved. “They are making a big deal about this Reb Noteh,” he told the chassid. “He simply lives in the small town of Monastyryshche.”
The outraged chassid began to admonish him, enumerating Reb Noteh’s extraordinary qualities and urging him to show some respect. Seeing that the man remained indifferent, he slapped him across the face.
The man accepted the blow without retaliating and left the inn. The chassid, meanwhile, continued his quest. Had he seen Reb Noteh? he asked a man sitting by the door. “He just left,” the man replied. “Surely you saw him.”
The chassid now realized that he had slapped Reb Noteh himself. Deeply ashamed, he approached the chassid and asked his forgiveness.
Laughing, Reb Noteh told him there was nothing to apologize for. “What did you do to me?”
Find Hasidic Archives latest books on HasidicArchives.com Dear Rebbe and The Edifice: Dating, Marriage and an Everlasting Home, also available on Amazon Prime
Same story is said about Chofetz Chaim (and maybe other gedolim). I heard the story said about Chofetz Chaim when I was a child, over 60 years ago!
Thanks!
Heard the story almost 59 yrs about the chofetz chaim!
The world should read his Tzipita Liyeshua…we should spread it…