Jewish life in the city of Nikolsburg reached a peak in the early 19th century, outshining that of other towns in Moravia. Jews benefited from the relatively benign rule of the Prince von Dietrichstein family, and a thriving community developed on the western slopes of the imposing hill upon which stood the princely palace. Nikolsburg, the seat of the Moravian Chief Rabbi, had a well-known yeshivah, many shuls, and a large graveyard in which many of the famous rabbis of Moravia are buried.
Around the turn of the century, the Jewish community of Nikolsburg decided to set up an eruv in the city to accommodate the Shabbos needs of the people. Of course, this was easier said than done. The boundaries of the eruv were very specific and detailed, as the streets of the Jewish section of Nikolsburg were narrow and winding. After much deliberation, it was decided that it would be necessary to run the wire past the large house on the corner of Quergasse.
There was just one problem that had the potential to ruin the entire plan: The owner of the house, a Christian butcher named Topolanski, stubbornly refused to allow the wire to be set up near his premises. This was not so much due to any scruples of his own as to his acquiescence to the objections of his neighbors, who absolutely refused to allow the presence of this symbol of an alien belief—the eruv wire—in their proximity. The governor of the town, to whom both parties appealed for arbitration, not surprisingly decided in favor of the homeowner, and the idea seemed to be dead on arrival.
After that, there was only one person who could possibly accomplish anything, and that was the Chief Rabbi, R’ Mordechai Banet zt”l, who was the object of great veneration among Jews and Christians alike and whose judgment was accepted unconditionally by all. A deputation of community elders went to see the Rav and explained the problem to him in great detail. In response, R’ Modche, as he was known, answered them in his short and taciturn way, assuring his listeners that he would attend to the problem. Indeed, the very next day, R’ Modche was seen making his lonely way through the streets and alleys of Jewish Nikolsburg toward Quergasse.
Topolanski was sitting in front of his house, relaxing and smoking his pipe. When he saw the Rabbi coming, he rose and walked a few steps toward him. After all, it was a great distinction to have this famous man pay him the honor of a visit.
R’ Modche explained the reason for his visit. Topolanski responded with a bewildered shake of his head and a torrent of objections. He insisted that he himself was not an enemy of the Jewish people, but that the neighbors would complain, which was why he was unable to accede to the Jewish community’s request. In any case, he added for good measure, the authorities had decided against the whole thing, so there was no point.
The Rabbi listened quietly and then replied, “As the authorities have decided in your favor, no one can make any complaint against you or force you to comply with any wish of mine. But pay heed to my words: All the different religious confessions that divide human beings and fill them with blind hatred for one another are G-d’s children and are all equally valued in His fatherly heart. Thus, you need not be afraid of complying with my request and allowing the eruv. Furthermore, you and your descendants will be richly rewarded. I shall bless your house, and that blessing will protect it from fire for all time.”
Topolanski was speechless and in awe. He had heard too many wondrous things about the Rabbi not to believe him now. After a moment’s silence, he agreed to comply with the request, and several days later, the eruv was set up.
What R’ Modche had promised came true. Huge fires engulfed the city during the 18th century, but when a terrible fire destroyed almost the entire city of Nikolsburg in the 1830s, one house was protected from the flames. Time and again, as was common in the olden days of the 19th century, and once again during the last fire—the largest ever in Nikolsburg—the Topolanski house remained unaffected amid the flames, smoke, and rubble that so often engulfed the city. The flames seemed to be brought to a halt before they reached the house, thanks to the Rabbi’s blessing.
Rabbi Dovid Hoffman is the author of the popular “Torah Tavlin” book series, filled with stories, wit and hundreds of divrei Torah, including the brand new “Torah Tavlin Yamim Noraim” in stores everywhere. You’ll love this popular series. Also look for his book, “Heroes of Spirit,” containing one hundred fascinating stories on the Holocaust. They are fantastic gifts, available in all Judaica bookstores and online at http://israelbookshoppublications.com. To receive Rabbi Hoffman’s weekly “Torah Tavlin” sheet on the parsha, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.