Once a very wicked man came to the
rebbe seeking atonement. The rebbe consented to help him, but only on the
condition first, that the man would liquidate all his assets – jewelry, real
estate, everything- and second, that he put in writing every sin he had ever
committed.
After months, the man returned with
a suitcase full of cash and a sheaf of papers filled with sins. As the rebbe
read the list he was horrified. The rebbe moaned; the man fainted. The rebbe
revived him and went on with the reading. Again, seven times, the rebbe would
cry out in sadness and the man would pass out.
When Rabbi Elimelech had completed
reading the list, the man was white as a sheet. The rebbe sighed: “only death
could atone for such a life!”
“I will do whatever you say,” said
the man.
Now the rebbe turned white, for he
realized that he had inadvertently pronounced an irrevocable death sentence.
“Very well,” said the rebbe. “In
such cases, the death sentence is to be carried out by pouring molten lead down
the throat.”
“I will do whatever you say,”
replied the penitent, again.
The rebbe instructed the man to
take some of the money from the suitcase and buy a ladle, some lead, and some
tin for the flux and then to come back with his siddur and a blindfold.
Together Rabbi Elimelech and the man watched as the metals became liquefied
over the fire’s heat.
“Are you sure you want to go
through with this?” the rebbe asked.
“Yes.”
“Are you sure that all your sins
are recorded on the list? God forbid your death should miss a sin.” “Yes.”
“And, are you sure that by your
death you mean to make atonement for all your sins.” “Yes.” “Very
well,” said the rebbe. “Then put on the blindfold and recite the words of the
Sh’mah.” The man did so.
“Now, open your mouth,” said the
rebbe.
The man opened his mouth.
But then, at the last moment, Rabbi
Elimelech, instead poured a spoonful of marmalade into the man’s open mouth.
“Since you have been willing to
suffer your own death,” said the rebbe, “it is accounted you by heaven as if you
had actually died. Here, go take this money. Spend it like a mensch.” -Rabbi Lawrence Kushner
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