One of the great talmidim of the Baal Shem Tov, Reb Dovid Leikes was a prominent and devoted rov. When his family tried to keep shailos away while he lay on his deathbed, Reb Dovid jumped out of bed and banged on the table, inisiting on participating in paskening halacha.

Reb Dovid Leikes, one of the great talmidim of the Baal Shem Tov, is mentioned in many of the stories that are told about the Baal Shem Tov. He was a grandfather to many chasidishe Rebbes, such as Reb Yitzchak of Skver, and he was the father-in-law of Reb Motel Tchernobiler. He served as the rov in the town of Bar in the Podolye region.

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The Baal Shem Tov was once in the home of Reb Dovid during the time when a terrible decree had been enacted that the Talmud be burned. A day was set for the public burning of all volumes of Gemoro, and the decree stated that anyone caught learning the Talmud after this event would be burned together with the volume he was learning.

On the scheduled day, Reb Dovid took a Gemoro, hid behind a large urn (used for heating water), and, as he usually did each day, engrossed himself in learning. The Baal Shem Tov, meanwhile, paced around the house, entirely immersed in his holy thoughts.

At twelve o’clock, the church bells began ringing wildly, notifying all that the time for the enactment of the decree had come. The Baal Shem Tov continued pacing despite the tumultuous ringing and gathering of spectators.

Seeing this, Reb Dovid could contain himself no longer and mustered up the courage to approach the Baal Shem Tov. “Rebbe! How could you be silent at a time like this?!” The Baal Shem Tov looked up at his talmid and said, “The fire you displayed for the learning of Torah has extinguished their fire.” Sure enough, one thing led to another, and the decree was abolished.

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Towards the end of Reb Dovid’s life, as he neared the age of one hundred, the other dayanim of the city began handling the easier shaalos, but he would still be consulted regarding the difficult matters that arose. On what was to be Dovid’s last day, a difficult question presented itself to the Beis Din, and the dayanim wanted to consult with him. Reb Dovid’s family, however, refused to let him be disturbed, being that he was very weak.

Hearing the argument taking place outside, the tzaddik gathered all the strength he had and got out of bed. He called for his family, and when they came in, he banged fiercely on the table, so strongly that one of its legs fell off, and cried, “It says that any dayan who judges a din truthfully becomes as a partner to Hashem in the works of creation, and you want to take this partnership away from me?! All the dayanim should come in at once!”

The dayanim came in, and he guided them, helping them reach the solution of the issue at hand. Soon after, Reb Dovid passed away. 

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