In Rizhin there lived a Jew by the name of Moshke. He was a big Torah scholar. Initially, he traveled to [the rebbe] of Apt, but later he attached himself to the Rizhinner Rebbe.

Reb Moshke found out that the Apter Rav knows that he no longer travels to Apt and travels to the Rizhiner instead. He was afraid that on account of him slighting the honor [of the Apter] it might harm the Rizhiner. 

He wanted to prevail upon the Rizhiner to travel to Apt to ask forgiveness for taking away from him such a distinguished person. However, he was embarrassed to speak with the Rizhiner directly about this matter. So he went to the Rizhiner’s mother and she went to the Rizhiner to persuade him. Initially, he did not want to travel, but when she ordered him [to go] based on the imperative of kibud em [the commandment to honor one’s mother] the Rizhiner traveled to Apt. Moshke went along.

When they arrived in Apt, the Rizhiner went to the Apter and wanted to ask forgiveness. The Apter did not allow him [he said,] “you are great in this [heavenly] chamber and that chamber (he enumerated several chambers), you don’t need to obtain my forgiveness. But I don’t forgive Moshke – he will not live out the year. [”]

The Rizhiner and his entourage traveled back to Rizhin. On the way, they stayed at an inn. They prayed mincha and drank l’chaim. Afterward, the Rizhiner instructed to bring a tahara board [= a body stretcher] and ordered Reb Moshke to lie down and stretch out his body on it. They covered him, and afterward, the Rizhiner ordered them to make hakafot [= walk around the body in circles]. The Rizhiner then went home. R. Moshke remained alive. 

Approximately two years later, a wedding took place in Apt. The Rizhiner traveled to Apt for the wedding and R. Moshke accompanied him. Upon seeing R. Moshe there was a big commotion – how is this possible? After all, the Apter said that he would not live out the year. [Whereupon] the Apter remarked: “I did not know that the Rizhiner could pull this one on me.”

I.F.

Aizik Bronstein