אות - קפה

Many many things we saw with our own eyes that Rabbainu o.b.m. told us before they occurred, and they came to be (370). Once during the Ten Days of Penitence he said that in that year there would be epidemics, may the Merciful One protect us. (That is, in the year 5567.) And when he came out from the bath on the eve of Yom Kippur, he said that he is feeling his own head to see if he is alive (meaning from the fear — for he sees great epidemics, may the Merciful One protect us). And so it was — that in that year there were great epidemics, may the Merciful One protect us (371).

When there was a scarcity in the world in one year, and afterward in the days of summer during the growth of the produce it appeared to the world that there would be cheapness — he said that it would not be cheap in that year, for the scarcity had extended its time over two years. And so it was — that even the second year there was scarcity, and afterward after both years were complete it became cheap.

And so it was in many many matters. But we have already said that it is not our desire to tell wonders of Rabbainu o.b.m. For not in these does his praise lie. Also he was restrained in wonders — as was understood from his words — that he was not permitted to reveal wonders. And therefore only a few wonders were seen from him. Even though in truth he clearly knew all future events even for the distant future etc. — as was apparent to the eye of all who looked carefully at his words. Even so, everything was in great concealment and great hiding. And we do not deal in telling of this, as mentioned above.

370. RAK: See Kochvei Or 36, note 4.

371. RAK: See Yemei Moharnat 15.

Once one of his followers came before him who had illness and great pain in his hand — until he could not move his hand at all. And his hand was hanging on his neck as is the way of the sick with their hands. And he could not lower it in any way, for his illness and pain was very great. And they were speaking before Rabbainu o.b.m. that he must drink salt water and receive remedies. And that man was very poor and had nothing for expenses and remedies.

On Shabbas during the meal of Shacharis [morning meal], Rabbainu o.b.m. answered and said to those sitting around him — that this man certainly has faith. And they answered: yes. And he repeated the matter and spoke a bit about whether he has faith, and they answered: yes. Afterward Rabbainu o.b.m. suddenly commanded the aforementioned man to lower his hand. And he was immediately startled, and all the people were startled and astonished — for it was a very very wondrous thing. For this man had been ill in his hand for a long time and could not lower his hand — and now he should lower it suddenly?! But immediately when Rabbainu o.b.m. commanded — he decreed and it arose. And immediately they took from him the cloth on which his hand was hanging on his neck, and he lowered his hand at once. And it was a famous miracle to the eye of all — that his hand was immediately healed at that very hour, and his hand immediately returned to its health and strength like all other people until this day. Such and similar wonders were seen from him — several awesome wonders at intervals.

But at the time of the aforementioned matter of that man — afterward I came to him and he told me a little about this, and Rabbainu o.b.m. then had some pain and illness. And he said then that every time he performs some wonder he has suffering afterward always. And he said that every time he does something he asks from Hashem Yisburach afterward that the matter be forgotten.

He said: it is a wonder to me if they bring a pidyon to someone and tell him the person's suffering — for example about a sick person and the like — when he does not feel the pain and suffering as the sick person himself etc. And what emerges from his words is that he feels the pain and suffering when they come before him to pray for the sick person and the like — just as the sick person himself feels it literally. And so it was heard from his mouth many times. And he said: at first I would ask from Him blessed He that I should feel the pain and suffering of Israel — for sometimes someone would come and tell me his suffering and I would not feel the pain. And I would pray that I feel the pain of Israel. Now when someone tells me his suffering I feel myself the pain more than him. And literally blood drips from me from the greatness of the pain I feel — more than him. For he can think other thoughts and forget the pain — but I feel greatly as mentioned above. And he said to one of his followers who asked him not to forget him: he answered and said: How is it possible to forget one of you? — for every single one of you has a place in my heart.

Once his grandson o.b.m. was lying ill with smallpox, may the Merciful One protect us (372). And he was complaining much before me that he has great pain from this. And he told me then and said that there are ways of Hashem that are impossible to understand. For it is brought that by the Ari o.b.m. a certain son passed away. And he said it was because of the secret he revealed to his disciple Rabbi Chaim Vital o.b.m. (373). But truly the Ari was compelled to reveal to him — for Rabbi Chaim Vital pressured him greatly. And when he pressured him he was compelled to reveal to him, for he said that he came to the world only to rectify the soul of Rabbi Chaim Vital o.b.m. It is found that he was compelled from heaven to reveal to him the secret — and even so he was punished through this as mentioned. And this is a way of Hashem that is impossible to understand through any reasoning (374).

And what is understood from his words regarding his own matter — that all his pain and suffering and the pain of his children, may they live — all of it is only because he engages with us to draw us near to Hashem Yisburach. And even though he is compelled to do so — for certainly Hashem Yisburach wants this, for He blessed He thinks thoughts so that no outcast be banished from Him — and even so he had very great and hard suffering because of this, for these are the ways of Hashem as mentioned. And he was going and telling before me his great pain that he had from his grandson's illness as mentioned. And he said he wants that he himself should be sick instead of that child. And he said he feels all the moans of the child (what is called "krechtsn") in his heart etc.