“B-but honorable Rebbe, i-it’s not so simple! They tried to strangle me!”

Teveria 1798

When the community of Teveria learned that the Jewish informer had returned for revenge, they began to flee the city in panic.

Rebbe Nachman had fallen ill during his stay in Teveria, so he could not leave with everyone else. His body had been broken down over his many years of intense fasting, and now he lay in bed, unable to flee.

The informer went through each house, kicking down doors.

“They’ve all fled!” he howled with anger. “Cowards!”

Suddenly one of the Turkish soldiers began to shout.

“Over here! Inside this house! Here’s a young, sick man!”

The informer ran into the house with a gleeful expression.

“Where? Where is he?”

His eyes fell upon Rebbe Nachman’s face, and his entire demeanor suddenly changed.

“Ah, you’re not a local. You’re not responsible for what happened. You look like a saintly, chassidish rebbe… Look at all of these books you’re studying from.” The informer motioned for the Turkish soldier to put his sword away. “Leave us for a moment. I’ve never had the opportunity to speak to such an individual…”

When the door had swung shut behind the soldier, the informer turned back to Rebbe Nachman with an apologetic look.

“I’m sorry about all of this. I didn’t want to make such a commotion, you understand?”

“I heard what happened…” Rebbe Nachman responded.

“Yes, the people here tried killing me for absolutely no reason at all. I’m innocent, believe me. In fact, I’m a quite a pious, sincere Jew.”

Rebbe Nachman forced himself to keep a straight face.

“Hmmm… So, what is this all about?”

The informer began spewing lies, twisting his life story around so that he appeared to be a well-meaning, righteous Jew who only cared for the good of his people. Rebbe Nachman saw straight through him.