Being that the Magid was a sickly man and laid in bed a lot, many of the students were afraid to enter his room lest they raise his ire.

When R. Yeivi came to the Magid, he said that he was not afraid, and he entered the room and gave him Shalom.¹

He introduced himself to the Magid as a poor man, and [he related] that he conducts the midnight service. Before midnight he goes to the Mikva. One time it was so cold that the Mikva froze over. He took an axe and wanted to chip away at the ice so he could immerse himself.

The Samach Mem² came along and tried to dissuade him from immersing himself. In such cold weather – he said – immersion would be tantamount to committing suicide. R. Yeivi however did not obey – he vanquished the Samach mem and jumped in the Mikva. 

I.F.

Kinever Rebbe

1. Greeted him with the traditional Shalom Aleichem greeting.

2.  Samael, the the accuser or adversary. Force of impurity and opposition.