The elder Chortkover repeatedly recounted how the tzadikim (saints) and rebbes of the Ruzhiner’s era exalted and esteemed him (the Ruzhiner). On one occasion, during the Ruzhiner’s yahrzeit (death anniversary), the Chortkover shared a story: When the right time came for the Ruzhiner to start donning tefillin (phylacteries), his mother, Chave’nu, brought him to the Rabbi of Apta. Upon their arrival, she instructed him to wait until the Apter could put tefillin on him for the first time since the Apter began his morning prayers late. However, on the day of his bar mitzvah, the Ruziner woke up extremely early and put on tefillin well in advance. When it was time for the Apter Rabbi to start his prayer, they began waiting for the Ruzhiner, but he was not there. They searched for him but couldn’t find him, and eventually, he arrived. Chave’nu, his mother, asked him fearfully, “Where were you? Didn’t you know that the rabbi of Apta was supposed to put tefillin on you for the first time?” The Ruzhiner replied, “Yes, however, I had already prayed and put on tefillin.” This made Chave’nu even more anxious, [wondering], How could this be? She had brought her child to the Apter herself, and he had put on tefillin without waiting for him!
Nonetheless, she still brought him to the Apter, who then said, “Let’s see at least how you prayed!”
Y.F.
Mekhele Shokhet
