R. Zusha’s Wheat
It once happened that the Magid didn’t have wheat that was watched [shemurah] for Passover. So he sent R. Zusha Anipoler to find watched wheat.
He traveled through several cities but could not find [any] – until he came to a village and found a Jew who had fine wheat – watched. He was very pleased with this and headed home, filled with joy.
On the way back – passing through a village he heard weeping. After asking around he found out that a widow with several orphans were simply dying of hunger. Without even thinking for a minute he took the hard-won – watched wheat and had food prepared for the family.
Instead of the wheat he bought regular wheat – not watched and he went home. Naturally, he did not mention that it was not watched.
At the Seder, immediately after eating the required measure of matzah, the Magid called over R. Zusha.
R. Zusha became very afraid. He understood that the Magid must have sensed that this was not watched.
When R. Zusha came over – the Magid said: “There is a great light shining from this mitzvah. What is the cause of this?”
At this, R. Zusha dared to tell the story.
I.F.
Bilitzer Rabbi
Rabbi Stern