Two weeks later, Reb Yisroel was back. When he knocked on Sergie’s door, he immediately heard the barking reply, “Enter! Where’s my money?”

Reb Yisroel squirmed uncomfortably under Sergie’s glare.

“Honorable Sir, I must apologize… I cannot explain why, but my businesses have all been unpredictably slow. I’ve never experienced anything like this. I’m going to need more time to pay you. At least another three weeks.”

Sergie stood up from his chair. He towered over the hapless chassid.

“Why do you think you can come into my presence without my money? Are you not afraid of me? Do you not realize who I am, and what my reputation is?”

“I’ve come because I have no choice at all. You know that for the past few years I’ve always faithfully brought you your dues, and I would never withhold anything from you if I could give it. I need to ask for your patience once again. I will bring the money; it just won’t be right now.”

“Jew…” Sergie laid a heavy hand on Reb Yisroel’s shoulder and squeezed hard. “You have three weeks, okay? But if you keep testing me, I can’t guarantee what will happen next time. There’s only so many times you can provoke a bear before the bear attacks. Do you understand what I am telling you?”

Reb Yisroel swallowed hard.

“Y-yes… Yes, I do.”

Three weeks later, Reb Yisroel still did not have the money. In fact, things had gone from bad to worse. He had been forced to close all of the taverns he owned because he could not afford to keep them running any longer. On the day he was supposed to face the poritz, he spent hours in shul sobbing his heart out to the Ribbono shel Olam. His wife davened with him from above, in the women’s balcony. Their crying woke up the small baby cradled in Reb Yisroel’s wife’s arms.

It was a pitiful scene, the baby crying along with both of his parents.

Suddenly, Reb Yisroel had an idea.

An hour later Sergie heard a knock on his front door.

“Is it the Jew?” Sergie barked.

“Yes, it’s me, Yisroel!”

“Do you have the money or not?”

“U-um, I-I-I would like to speak with the honorable master in person, please…”

“Enter.”

Reb Yisroel entered Sergie’s room together with his wife and his baby clutched tightly to his chest. He opened his mouth to launch into his prepared speech when he stopped short as he realized he was not the only one who had brought extra guests to this meeting.

Two men who looked like seasoned criminals stood on either side of Sergie’s massive, throne-like chair.

“Before you say anything, Jew, I think it’s only fair if I introduce you to my two servants. To my right is Igor.” Sergie gestured to the man on his right, who was even taller than his master and had numerous scars on his face. “The man on my left is Andriy.”

“P-pleased to meet you both…” Reb Yisroel whimpered.

Igor smirked, but Andriy just looked at him with what seemed to be an expression of genuine pity.

“So, you’ve brought the whole family, eh?” Sergie gestured at Reb Yisroel’s wife and the baby. “Tell me, which one of them has my money?”

“No one has your money.” Reb Yisroel sighed. “I’m broke. I’ve lost everything. Everything…”

Sergie’s face contorted into an expression of rage.

“Before you decide what to do with me, please look at my family!” Reb Yisroel said hurriedly as his heart began to beat wildly with fear. “We are a young couple, and this is our only child! Our entire lives lie ahead of us! Please, have compassion! If not for our sakes, then for the sake of this poor, innocent baby who needs his parents. Both of them…”

Sergie took a deep breath before replying.

“Oh, I’m not going to separate an innocent baby from his parents. I’m not heartless.”

Reb Yisroel breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thank you! You are so kin —”

“I’m not finished yet!” Sergie yelled, rising suddenly from his chair. “Just because I won’t separate you, does not mean you’re off the hook. After you hear what I plan on doing with you, you’ll wish that I only poured out my wrath on you alone.”

Sergie turned to his servants and whispered something. Igor chuckled and Andriy’s face turned white.

Reb Yisroel and his wife braced themselves. Whatever was about to happen could not be good.

to be continued…

(Originally featured in Mishpacha Jr., Issue 834)