When they began to conscript Jews into the Russian army the Ruzhiner’s children were already in Austria – but the Ruzhiner Hasidism were asked to collect money to abolish the decree.
They sent a request to the Skverer and asked how much he would give – but R. Isaac did not want to give anything because he said that it would not help and he then told this story:
When R. Isaac was still the Ruzhiner’s son-in-law and living with him (oif kest) it was the custom of the Ruzhiner to go walking each day with one of his children or sons-in-law. The Ruzhiner once called for R. Isaac even though it was not his turn. He wasn’t ready but as it was the Ruzhiner who was requesting he hurriedly prepared and ran to the coach where the Ruzhiner was already waiting. Usually, the Ruzhiner would sit on one side – R. Isaac on the other, and between them, it remained vacant.
They traveled into the forest. Suddenly they stopped the coach and a Jew approached from the forest and seated himself in the coach in the middle – the Ruzhiner and the Jew spoke a great deal among themselves but R. Isaac did not understand all of it. Suddenly, the Ruzhiner accompanied the Jew into the forest, remained there a while, and then emerged alone and returned home.
R. Isaac concluded: “Now I know what took place between them – and that is why I do not wish to give any money to abolish the decree of military conscription – because I know that it will not help.”
The Bilitzer Rabbi heard this from R. Jacob Joseph Skverer.
I.F.
Bilitzer Rabbi
Rabbi Stern
