והלוית גוים רבים  ואתה לא תלוה…(כי תבא כח:יג)

There was once a girl who, being an orphan, was raised in the home of the holy Ba’al Shem Tov zt”l.  When she came of age, she became engaged to an orphan boy, who was brought up by Reb Volf Kitzes zt”l – a talmid – disciple ­- of the Ba’al Shem Tov. 

As he took the place of the mechutan from the Kallah’s side, the Ba’al Shem Tov accepted upon himself to give two hundred Gulders as dowry for the couple, and Reb Volf took upon himself to teach Torah to the chassan after the wedding.

On the wedding day, Reb Volf came to the Ba’al Shem Tov requesting the promised money, but the Ba’al Shem Tov did not have a penny to spare.  Reb Volf, who knew the Ba’al Shem Tov’s holy powers, said: “We are not going to the Chuppah before the money is here. because if there is no money, the chassan will not be able to learn”.

While these negotiations were being held, Reb Leib Kreminer zt”l arrived and haltingly told the Ba’al Shem Tov that the local Poritz (nobleman) sent him to demand that the Ba’al Shem Tov pay the thousand Rubles that the Ba’al Shem Tov took upon himself for פדיון שבויים – to redeem a Jewish prisoner. The Poritz threatened to arrest the Ba’al Shem Tov if the money was not paid. 

The Ba’al Shem Tov told Reb Leib to prepare a horse and wagon and to rush to the Poritz to repay his debt so he would be back in time for the chuppah.

Reb Leib did not have a penny on him and did not know how he was expected to repay the debt, but he thought to himself: “If the Ba’al Shem Tov tells someone to go, you go.” While traveling, Reb Leib wondered how he would be able to repay the debt, and a thought occurred to him: perhaps he could sell one of the horses to the Poritz.

When he arrived at the palace of the Poritz, the Poritz welcomed him graciously, as he surmised that Reb Leib had the money for him. To buy some time, Reb Volf told the Poritz: “My dear lord, I know you as a trustworthy individual, and I am sure you will not accept any money not rightfully yours. Perhaps you can verify again how much money my Rebbe owes you?”

The Poritz was chaffed by the compliment and sat down to calculate his dealings with the Ba’al Shem Tov while Reb Leib sat, trembling at the outcome of his feverish calculations. 

Suddenly, he saw the Poritz throw the contract into the heart that had a burning fire and then turned to Reb Leib saying: “Thank goodness I recalculated, as not only does the Ba’al Shem Tov not owe me any money, I even overcharged him with an extra 200 Gulders!” and while talking, he handed Reb Leib the 200 Gulders.

Reb Leib was overtaken with joy and rushed back to his Rebbe. While traveling, he shared the miraculous episode with everyone who only wanted to listen.

Meanwhile, the Ba’al Shem Tov was sitting in his home waiting and banging impatiently on the table, saying, “I am in a hurry to go to the Chuppah, and he (Reb Leib) finds the time to tell tales.”

As soon as Reb Leib arrived, the Ba’al Shem Tov told him to give the two hundred Gulders to Reb Volf, the mechutan, and they went to the Chuppah בשעה טובה ומוצלחת.