The Rebbe’s Shabbos Food Did Him No Harm

The Rov of Kremenchuk and a successful businessman Reb Yitzchak Yoel Refoelovitch was a chossid of the Rebbe Maharash, Rebbe Rashab, and the Frierdiker Rebbe. When the Rebbe Rashab assured him that the Shabbos food would do no harm, he broke his strict diet, but then he tried it at home…

Reb Yitzchak Yoel Refoelovitch was the Rov of Kremenchuk and a chossid of the Rebbe Maharash, Rebbe Rashab, and Frierdiker Rebbe. He was also a successful businessman and supported many of the activities of the Rebbe Rashab.

Harav Refoelovitch He was a leading figure in the fight against the maskilim in preserving Torah Judaism in Russia. He was very wise and was well respected by all.

When he became weak and unable to carry on the rabbonus, he moved to Yerushalayim. He passed away on the 15th of Tammuz, 5696 (1936) and is buried on Har HaZeisim.

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The Frierdiker Rebbe related:

Reb Yitzchak Yoel once spent Rosh Hashana with the Rebbe Maharash and noticed that the teruah blown by the Rebbe had 24 blasts. He was surprised at this, but did not share his thoughts with anybody.

When he went into yechidus, the Rebbe said, “What do you think? Machshovos zoros (improper thoughts) are only when one thinks about nonsense?! Thinking about those things that one need not think about, even in matters of holiness, is also machshovos zoros.”

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Reb Yitzchak Yoel related:

Once, I was invited to the Shabbos meal of the Rebbe Rashab. The table was filled with various foods, many of which I could not partake of as I had a strict diet because of ulcers. The Rebbe noticed this and asked why I was not eating. I answered, “The Rebbe knows that I am on a diet”. The Rebbe said, “Shabbos food does not harm.” I ate and felt fine and had no pain afterwards.

Next Shabbos, I was back home. I told my wife that I could eat everything because the Rebbe told me that Shabbos food does not harm, and that she need not prepare special food for me. The food gave me terrible pains; I had put my life in danger. Evidently, the Rebbe’s assurance was for that time only…

For sources, visit TheWeeklyFarbrengen.com

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