“This storm is clearly Divine! Tell me, how can we escape this?”

1798

Shortly before Rebbe Nachman finally left Istanbul, he had another brush with death. He had traveled to the gravesite of a special tzaddik and relative of his who was buried in Istanbul, Rebbe Naftali of Posen. After visiting the tzaddik’s kever, Rebbe Nachman suddenly fell deathly ill and collapsed. He hovered between life and death, but by a tremendous miracle, he recovered.

Then frightening news struck Istanbul. The French army had invaded the sultan’s lands in Egypt and Palestine. The French navy were patrolling the seas around Istanbul, terrorizing ships sailing through the treacherous Mediterranean.

A man on horseback galloped through the streets, delivering a chilling message from the Jewish leaders in Istanbul.

“No one is permitted to leave the city under any circumstances! Whoever does so is risking their very life, and we will not permit that. Lie low, stay put, and wait for further instructions.”

“Our plans are ruined!” The Rebbe’s attendant cried. “There’s no safe passage to Eretz Yisrael! We’ve come so far, just to be turned back now!”

“I am still going,” Rebbe Nachman said. “I understand the dangers involved, but as I’ve already told you, there is nothing on earth that will deter me from reaching the holy soil of Eretz Yisrael. I will continue, no matter how many French warships stand poised to destroy us.”

“And what about myself?”

“Take money for your traveling expenses, and whatever else you need. When the opportunity arises, travel back to your home. I will continue this journey alone.”

“No, Rebbe…” The Rebbe’s attendant stood tall. “As Rus told Naomi: Where you go, I will also go. I am coming with you, whether to death or to life.”

But how would they ever find a ship to take them to Eretz Yisrael? No one was willing to set sail in the treacherous waters. But even as the Rebbe and the attendant were expressing their resolve to continue despite the great danger, Hashem was preparing miracles to assist them on their mission.

That very day, a great chacham living in Istanbul approached the Jewish leaders of the community and shared with them an astonishing vision that he had had.

“I have foreseen my burial place in Yerushalayim, and I also know that my time to depart from This World is very close. I must travel now to Eretz Yisrael, and you must not fear because no harm will come to me or anyone who travels with me.”

The news soon spread across the city and many people rushed to join the chacham on his journey, Rebbe Nachman and his attendant included.