An Influential Pioneer

When the Holy Shotzer Rebbe zt”l lived in Keln, Germany, many traders and businessmen would visit his home. He greeted each one of them with his special touch. One such busy season occurred at the same time as he was preparing for his daughter’s wedding. The poverty at home was indescribable and there was nothing that he could pull together to cover the costs.

One day, a rich merchant from London arrived at the Shotzer’s home. Upon seeing their immense poverty, he attempted to persuade the Rebbe to come to London to collect money to cover the costs of the wedding. He promised the Rebbe that he would gather some wealthy friends and assured him that they wouldn’t let him down. At first, the Shotzer Rebbe was hesitant; he didn’t want to travel to London out of fear of losing time from Torah learning. However, the wealthy man did not give in; he pestered the Shotzer Rebbe until the Rebbe realised that due to his dire situation, this was his only option.

The Rebbe journeyed to London where the wealthy man eagerly hosted him at his home. Wanting to show the Rebbe his immense wealth, he showed him around the luxurious interior of his beautiful house. However, as the Rebbe was taking in all the details, he noticed that something didn’t seem right. The home was lacking the basic foundations of Yiddishkeit. The Rebbe began speaking words of mussar to the wealthy man, questioning how he could be involved in some kind of incorrect act and explaining to him the terrible punishment written about this sin. The Rebbe went even further, telling him that one was not permitted to live in such a home, whereafter he got up and left. The Rebbe knew that in so doing he had just given up on the sum of money promised to him. But there was no negotiating when it came to Halacha.

The host was stunned. His fancy friends were about to arrive and the main guest of honour had fled his home! Even worse, he was standing outside, refusing to come in. However, the Rebbe refused to bend; he would not enter a home where the basics of tzenius and kedusha were not kept.

The merchant understood that he was dealing with an honest and righteous tzaddik whose only thought was the will of Hashem.

His deep yiras shamayim moved him to the core, and inspired to repent and correct his ways. He promised the Rebbe that he would fix that which was incorrect and did so then and there. Only once he did so did the Rebbe agree to enter his home.

The gathering took place, with many wealthy merchants in attendance. During the event, the Rebbe was asked to speak a few words. The Rebbe surmised that if they were all in the same social circle, perhaps they were also lax in this area of tzenius. Instead of recounting the beauty of giving tzedakah and the importance of hachnasas kallah, he began speaking sharp words of mussar. He explained to them how tzenius is the foundation of a Yiddishe home and so forth. The genuine, holy words emanating from his pure heart resonated deeply with the men in attendance. They unanimously agreed to take upon themselves to correct their ways.

The Rebbe told how he now understood why he was forced to come to London; it wasn’t simply for hachnasas kallah, rather, it was to bring Yiddishe neshamos back to the right path.

His Legacy still stands and people flock to his kever from all over the world for Yeshuos. You can send your personal kvittel in today here