Two Returnees

In Rabbi Nathan Nemirov's days there was a Jew in Breslov nicknamed “the German” because he was distant from Judaism, and conducted himself in the manner of the Jewish followers the German Enlightenment; who practiced almost no Judaism.

He held a position in the city of Breslov as a government official. One Sabbath morning he stumbled into the Rabbi Nathan’s Synagogue during the Kedusha service of the Musaf prayer. As is the Breslov Hassidic way, everyone was passionately immersed in the prayer with hands uplifted and clapping. Overwhelmed with the wave of passion, he too lifted his hands and clapped.

At that moment, many around him noticed that his hands were ink stained from the work he did earlier on the Sabbath day. They were barely able to control themselves from casting him out for his chutzpah; for daring to attend Sabbath prayers after such a blatant violation of the holy day!

Rabbi Nathan became aware of the situation and held them back from casting him out. He declared, “Leave him alone! Leave him alone! Don't bother him! He will yet continue to raise his hands and clap until he desists from writing on the Sabbath.”

“Aren't we aware that because of his behavior he's not accepted in any other Synagogue? So if he stumbled into ours, it's a sign that he had some thought of returning to Judaism. Indeed, this is the reason he attended and we must accept him.”

It so happened. He became attached to the Breslov Hassidim. Rabbi Nathan conversed with him at length about Emunah and the path of Judaism, until he fully returned to Judaism.

He was one of two returnees about whom Rabbi Nathan remarked, “[In the next world] when I will present God with these two returnees, they will yet be my source of pride before His throne of glory.”

The second returnee was a member of the Enlightenment who wanted to study and complete his education in Berlin under the guidance of leading intellectuals. He visited the post office of Tulchin to arrange passage to Berlin via postal transport. The postmaster of Tulchin was Rabbi Yitzhak, Rabbi Nathan’s son. Rabbi Nathan was visiting his son and sitting in the post office.  

The man gazed upon Rabbi Nathan and was moved by his radiant charm. He asked Rabbi Yitzhak, “Who is the elder sitting here?”

Rabbi Yitzhak responded, “He is my father, my teacher.”

“Can I speak with him?” he inquired.

“Of course”, offered Rabbi Yitzhak. “You may speak with him as you desire.”

He approached Rabbi Nathan and spoke with him at length. In the midst of their conversation, he immediately changed his mind and cancelled his ride to Berlin. Then he attached himself to Rabbi Nathan with all of his heart and completely returned to Judaism.

~ Otzer Nachmani, Volume I, pages 33 - 35.


(This translation was done as part of a project for the BRI. Please note that it's only a preliminary version and not the actual submitted version.)