Story: The Purim Trial
From Beis Moshiach Magazine: Mendel was a sincere, upstanding man who lived in Romania. He later moved to Russia, to Kishinev. Mendel had many friends who loved him dearly since he was a worthy individual. However, at some point, one of his friends turned on him and began to hate him • Full Article
By Beis Moshiach Magazine
Mendel was a sincere, upstanding man who lived in Romania. He later moved to Russia, to Kishinev.
Mendel had many friends who loved him dearly since he was a worthy individual. However, at some point, one of his friends turned on him and began to hate him.
He so hated Mendel that he went to the Romanian government and said to them, “You should know that Mendel the Jew found a box of gold coins in Romania that the government lost. That is why he left Romania for Russia.”
The Romanian government was very angry about this. “This is most serious! We will put him on trial!”
Then, the Romanian government asked the Russian government to extradite Mendel to them. The Russian government said, “Mendel is a Russian citizen now, so we will not send him to Romania. If you want, come here and conduct a trial in Kishinev. You can bring your witnesses here and hold the trial in our courthouse.”
Mendel was very frightened when he received a court summons. He did not know what this was about when he had done nothing wrong. He also knew that being a Jew wasn’t a point in his favor …
He went to the Shpole Zeide. “Rebbe,” he cried, “please help me in my distress.”
The Shpole Zeide said, “Do not worry. Try to have the case take place on Purim and don’t take a lawyer. Come as you are and I will send a good defense lawyer.”
Mendel asked, “How much money will this lawyer cost me?”
The Shpole Zeide smiled and said, “There is an orphaned bride who needs to get married and has no money for her wedding. You will give three hundred rubles for the wedding and I will take care of the lawyer. In addition, prepare a power of attorney, a document which you need to bring to the lawyer that shows that he is the one representing you. When you get to court, you will recognize the lawyer by his white hat and red gloves. Give him the power of attorney.”
Mendel was very happy and willingly gave the Shpole Zeide the three hundred rubles for the orphaned bride. Then, he traveled home and waited.
It was a bit difficult to move the court date to Purim, but Mendel insisted and exerted himself until he succeeded. The court date was scheduled for Purim afternoon.
As Purim approached, Mendel sent a letter to the Shpole Zeide in which he requested a blessing for success in the court case and also sent money for matanos la’evyonim.
***
It was Purim and Shpole was festive. There were costumed children, people going to and fro with mishloach manos, while others danced and sang for this is the happiest day of the year.
In the afternoon, the Shpole Zeide gathered a group of Chassidim to his home. Nobody but they were allowed to enter the house.
It is known that Purim is an auspicious time. The Shpole Zeide would put on amusing plays and everyone would laugh and enjoy them, while knowing that accusations in heaven were being canceled.
“We will hold a court case now,” said the Shpole Zeide to the people present. “You, the rav of the city, will be the chief justice, and you,” he said, pointing at two others, “will be an additional two judges.”
“You,” he said to someone else, “will be the Romanian government prosecutor. Go and color his face black.”
As people laughed, the man’s face was blackened until it was difficult to identify him.
“I will be the lawyer of the Jewish defendant,” said the Shpole Zeide, and he put a white kerchief over his shtreimel and put on red gloves.
“You will be Mendel the Jew and you will be the informer,” he instructed another two people. “And you,” he said to others, “will be the witnesses in defense of the Jew.”
The play began.
The chief justice read the accusation with great solemnity.
Then, the government prosecutor with the blackened face, began to speak. Everyone held their stomachs as they laughed because of his funny appearance and because what he said sounded ridiculous.
Then, the informer said forcefully, “Mendel found a box with royal treasure and ran away with it to Russia! That is serious!”
Two witnesses attacked the informer. “You are just an informer. You know what? One time, he asked Mendel for a large sum of money and Mendel didn’t want to give it to him. Since then, he became Mendel’s enemy and he is trying to take revenge!”
“Let his lawyer get up and speak,” said the chief justice.
The Shpole Zeide rose and said, “The informer says what he says because he is jealous and wants revenge. What he says, never happened. Even if Mendel did find a box like that, the Romanian government has no right to demand it.” He went on to prove Mendel’s innocence and good character and the judges liked what he said.
“Innocent, innocent,” the judges decreed unanimously and with big smiles. “As for you, the informer, go wash your black face,” they said angrily.
The court case ended with great joy and a grand Purim meal with the Shpole Zeide began, with all the Chassidim.
On motzoei Purim, news came from Kishinev that Mendel had won the case and he was on his way to Shpole to thank the Shpole Zeide.
A few days later, Mendel arrived. The Chassidim rejoiced to see him since they knew his story and about the Purim play.
“I had an excellent lawyer,” exclaimed Mendel. “You know what he said?”
Chassidim listened in astonishment. Whatever his lawyer said was exactly what the Shpole Zeide said in the play at his house!
When Mendel entered the Rebbe’s room, the Shpole Zeide asked him, “So, did I send you a good lawyer?”
“Certainly!” said Mendel. “All those who attended the court case were amazed by what he said. Thanks to him, I was declared innocent.”
The Shpole Zeide said, “You should know that this defense lawyer was an angel from heaven who was created thanks to the tzedaka that you gave to the orphaned bride.
“If you merit it, then in the World to Come you will also see that angel and he will continue to speak well on your behalf for all the things you did in this world.”
*
The magazine can be obtained in stores around Crown Heights. To purchase a subscription, please go to: bmoshiach.org
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