The Mezhbizher Rav related [a story] that a Jew who was in Boyan when this story took place related to him:

Once during the ceremony of kindling the Chanukah lights, the Boyaner Rebbe requested that they relate a story about the Berdichever Rav that was not yet published; something new that they had not heard yet. Several Jews tried to tell stories, but as soon as they began to tell their stories the Boyaner Rebbe interrupted them with a slight of the hand – either because he already heard the story, or it was already printed. Eventually, a Jew related the following story about the Berdichever Rav:

The Berdichever Rav used to engage in long preparations before kindling the Chanukah lights. One year, when this occurred [i.e. the long preparations], everything was ready, and the entire crowd waited impatiently. Whereupon the Rav turned around to the crowd and pointed to an arender (a leaseholder) – a very coarse fellow – and asked him: “How is your poritz [squire] doing?” The arender replied: “Very good – if only this were true about all Jews.” Afterward, Berdichever inquired precise details about the wealth of the poritz – how many fields, how many assets, how many slaves and servants he owned, etc. The assembled were very puzzled about this, but the arender did not mince words and he answered the rebbe in his coarse language – that the poritz has all the good things in life and does not lack anything!

Finally, the Berdichever asked him: “Tell me arender – do you indeed believe that your poritz enjoys all the good things in life?” The arender responded somewhat impatiently – “Certainly, certainly, may this be true for all of us.”

The Berdichever continued to inquire: “Indeed – it is going so well for him, but does he kindle the Chanukah lights?” The arender laughed: “What do you mean does he light the Chanukah candles – he’s a Gentile!!! But what does that have to do with it going well [for the poritz]?” “Nu, if so” – the Berdichever called out, “for us life goes well because we can kindle the Chanukah lights – things are good for us because we can say Baruch atoh [=Blessed art thou] …" and with that, he began to kindle the Chanukah lights.

I.F.

Rabbi Chaim Bick

The Mezhibuzher Rav