שבת-קכח

The רב of Lublin, רבי עוזיאל, was a vehement opponent of חסידות.  He once said to the חוזה of Lublin: “My תורה is preferable to yours.  Why is it then that people flock to you and not to me?”  “What can I do?” the חוזה responded, “People come to see me against my will.”  “I suggest,” ר׳ עוזיאל replied, “that ביומא דפגרא you publicly get up before your חסידים and tell them that you have neither תורה nor חכמה and perhaps they will stop coming.”  The חוזה did as ר׳ עוזיאל suggested, but even greater numbers of חסידים were inspired to come see him.  Seeing this, ר׳ עוזיאל said: “Perhaps ביומא דפגרא you should again get up, but this time boast about your vast learning and knowledge, proving to your חסידים that you lack ענווה and thus stopping them from coming to see you.”  The חוזה answered:  “תורה אין בי, חכמה אין בי.  אבל שקרן אינני.”

05/07/2020