When R. Israel, the Husyatiner, began to put on phylacteries, his father, the elder Husyatiner, R. Mordechai Faivush, of blessed memory, told him the following story as he helped him put on the phylacteries for the first time.
Hasidim from Russia once came to the Magid and bemoaned the fact that because of the great distance, it is difficult to come more often but at the same time it is also difficult to be for such a long period without a rebbe to guide them.
The Magid took off an item of clothing, [and took] a girdle and a stick and gave them to the oldest of the company and said to him: “Take these items and travel to Vitebsk. There you will find a young man by the name of Mendel and to him you shall give all these things.”
When they arrived in Vitebsk, they began to inquire about R. Mendel. The people said to them, “There are many Mendels – which one do you need?” At last, they encountered a woman and she replied: “My son-in-law is also named Mendel – perhaps it is he.” When they met him at home and gave him the items he immediately put on the clothing and the girdle. At that very moment, his face changed completely, and they no longer recognized him, and a great terror fell upon them.
The elder Husyatiner finished [the tale]: “You see, my child, one moment like this – and now already different. I bless you that you be such a light and fire for your generation as R. Mendel Vitebsker was for his.
I.F.
