“We just have to have emunas chachamim.” R’ Berel shrugged. “In the meantime, it’s Motzaei Shabbos, and it’s a special inyan to share a story about tzaddikim. You got to share a story as we were coming here, and now it’s my turn!”

“Fair enough.”

“You got me thinking…” R’ Berel began, with a thoughtful expression. “That couple in the forest, living in such secrecy. It must be hard not to be known by people, and to perform mitzvos with the same devotion knowing that most people will never, ever even see or judge you for it. It’s so much more lishmah, just for the sake of Hashem.”

“Yes, R’ Baruch, you have to really, truly believe that Hashem is watching your every move, and that in the end, only His opinion of you truly matters.”

“Exactly. And when someone is able to truly live only for the sake of Hashem, and not care about how it looks in the eyes of other people — wow! What a zechus! What a well lived life! And that’s where my story tonight starts out…

Once, the Baal Shem Tov was sitting before his students and he revealed to them an amazing story. He told them that a long time ago there was once a righteous Jew who lived in Tzefas. He was not the most learned Jew, not the most brilliant, but the fear and love of Hashem burned within his heart like a raging fire. On the outside, he was a simple man. There was nothing extraordinary about him. But his heart… his heart was dedicated to Hashem. And simple though he was, everything he did was for Hashem. And whatever talent, however meager, that he did possess, he dedicated it toward serving the Creator.

Then, one night, this simple Jew was startled to discover a guest in his home. A man with a face shining like an angel was standing before him. The holy stranger revealed that he was Eliyahu Hanavi! He had been sent from on High to teach the simple, pious Jew the secrets of the Torah. He told the Jew from Tzefas that he was prepared to open his mind to a world that he could never even have imagined. He would help expand this G-d-fearing Jew’s intellect so that he could grasp the deepest mysteries.

“So Eliyahu Hanavi taught him?” R’ Yosef asked.

“Not quite.” R’ Berel smiled. “You see, there was one condition to the gift.”

Eliyahu Hanavi told the man that he knew the man had done something extremely special, something incredible, on the day of his bar mitzvah. It was a mitzvah that created such a brilliant and overwhelming kedushah in Heaven, that even the neshamos and angels there could not process it. The holy light of this man’s secret act was too bright even for them.”

So Eliyahu Hanavi asked the man to reveal to him what the incredible act had been to create such a wondrous reaction.

The man told Eliyahu Hanavi that he would never reveal what it was that he had done on that day. He said whatever it was, it was solely for Hashem, and he would not reveal it to anyone. No matter what. Not even to Eliyahu Hanavi, at his doorstep, promising him key to the greatest secrets, the most incredible knowledge.

Eliyahu Hanavi and the man went back and forth, discussing this for some time. But the man remained steadfast. He said it was done for Hashem, and between himself his Creator his act would remain. And eventually, Eliyahu Hanavi left.

When the Baal Shem Tov revealed this story to his talmidim, he added a special footnote. He said that in a previous life, that man was him!

The two men continued traveling in silence. They reflected on the message of the story. What a tremendous way to live! To value one’s relationship with Hashem, and the deeds done for Hashem’s honor, so much that one would forgo Eliyahu Hanavi’s offer!

As they were lost in thought, they suddenly heard a commotion from the city. Up ahead on the forest path, soldiers were galloping toward them. There was no time to escape or pull off the road.

They were trapped.

To be continued…

(Originally featured in Mishpacha Jr., Issue 924)