Allow me to tell you a story. The 200th anniversary of the death of the Besht was in 1960. He was born in 1700 and died in 1760. Those were the days when American Jews associated Hasidism with Martin Buber who was kind of glamorous and esoteric. So in 1960 the Jewish Welfare Board sent out directives to all Synagogues and Rabbis and cultural committees urging them to observe the anniversary, suggesting that they are read Martin Buber and organize appropriate programs. One congregation in Washington, Temple Sinai, whose Rabbi then was Balfour Brickner…took the directive very seriously. Balfour decided not only to read about Hasidism. He would find the nearest authentic living Hasidic Rebbe and invite him to give a lecture at his congregation. After a thorough search discovered that the nearest living authentic Hasidic Rebbe was living in Baltimore and his name was Rabbi Hertzberg. He asked him to lecture at Temple Sinai. “You can tell us about Hasidism and we will give you an honorarium.”
My cousin, who is a wonderful really saintly Jew said, “No I do not go out lecturing. If you like you can bring your congregation here."
Balfour organized several buses of congregants. They arrived.
Rabbi Hertzberg greeted them, welcomed them, said a few words and then he asked for questions.
One lady asked, “Rabbi Hertzberg I have read in Martin Buber that the tzaddik was capable of performing miracles. Is it true? Do you believe that?”
And Rabbi Hirschberg said, of course. The Talmud says, tzaddik gozer v’HaKadosh Baruch Hu mikayem (“when the tzaddik appeals, God responds”).
Then she asked, “Rabbi, you are a Hasidic rebbe. Do you perform miracles?”
And he looked at her and sad, “Yes madam. You are all here, aren’t you?” -Rabbi Wolfe Kelman
Miracles are in the eye of those who behold.
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