And then someone shouted, “The sorcerer!”

We will now relate a story about the holy Rav Shmuel Abuchatzeira. Saintly mekubal, fiery defender of Jews everywhere, are just a few of the titles of Rav Shmuel. His children, the famed tzaddikim and mekubalim of the Abuchatzeira family, include Rav Yackov Abuchatzeira (the Abir Yackov), the Baba Sali , and many others, such as Rav David Chai Abuchatzeira, who lives today in Naharea.

The stories of his miracles are many, and they were brought about because of Rav Shmuel’s intense love for his people and his desire to keep them safe from harsh decrees and evil oppressors. Utilizing the power of Torah, with his vast and deep knowledge of the secrets of kabbalah, this tzaddik became known far and wide as a miracle worker, even in the eyes of the local Arab populace.

Hundreds of mourners walked somberly through the sandy ground, their heads bent as the sun beat down overhead. The sound of soft weeping filled the air as they moved slowly, blinking to see through their tears. They held aloft the body of a person who had recently passed away from the Jewish community.

Suddenly, the procession came to an abrupt halt. Everyone in the back bumped into the person in front of them, creating a ripple effect as bodies crashed into one another. People looked ahead to see what had caused the march to abruptly stop. They saw the pallbearers shouting in panic.

“It’s impossible to budge the niftar even an inch further!” One of the carriers called out above the ever-increasing tumult. “It just won’t move!”

The elders in the procession convened, and the decision was swiftly made. The people carrying the niftar would be replaced with others, and then, perhaps whatever obstacle was causing the niftar’s body to be frozen in place would be removed.

Silence reigned as the carriers stepped aside and the new ones reverently knelt to pick up the niftar and continue walking. But it did not help. The body was anchored in place, as though invisible stakes of iron were locking it into the ground.

A sense of panic rippled through the crowd. Something nefarious was occurring, but they did not know what it was.

And then someone shouted, “The sorcerer!”