ויאמר ה’ אל משה עשה לך שרף ושים אותו על נס והיה כל הנשוך וראה אותו וחי (חקת כא:ח)

The holy Rebbe of Premishlan zt’’l, Reb Meir’l – as he was affectionately called – once had a Chassid who poured his heart out, saying, “Rebbe, it is so hard for me to make a living! Whatever I try my hand at doesn’t bring me any luck.  The Rebbe advised his Chassid to start a spirit distillery and sell his alcoholic drinks in a saloon.  The Chassid wondered aloud, telling the Rebbe: “Amongst all that I tried was also the same trade you advised me to do, and neither showed any blessing!”

When the Rebbe started interrogating the Chassid about what type of public house he tried to run, he understood that it was located in an inn somewhere in the boondocks where traffic was near non‑existent.  The Rebbe then turned to his Chassid and said, listen to my advice – using a Pasuk in our Parsha to draw down blessings from above upon his hapless petitioner:

“עשה לך שרף” – the word “שרף” can also mean ‘to burn’ alluding to a distillery and tavern, “ושים אותו על נס” – the word “שרף” can also mean ‘a billboard’ alluding to a sign positioned up high, announcing the business exists and is open to customers.

“והיה כל הנשוך” – prepare plenty of food for people to have a bite; the word ‘נשוך’ means “bitten,” “וראה אותו” – you will then see, “וחי” – and you will be able to make a living!

Although this is not the meaning of the Pasuk, Reb Meir’l was known to deliver miracoulous blessings in this brilliant format.