R. Mordechai Liepler was one of the early chassidim of the Alter Rebbe. Originally from the town of Liepli, he was a wealthy man who held Russian government contracts and lived primarily in S. Petersburg.

When the Alter Rebbe was imprisoned, he played an important role in securing his release, and it was to R. Mordechai’s home that the Alter Rebbe asked to be taken upon his release.

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Chassidim would say that R. Mordechai was able to withstand the temptation to sin thanks to his pride. When his Yetzer HaRa would try to incite him to do something wrong, he would stand up tall and shout, “I?! – the chossid of the Alter Rebbe, the wealthy lamdan and maskil (who learns Chassidus in depth), should do an aveira?! That is not befitting for me!”

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Once, R. Mordechai made a successful business deal that earned him a huge sum of money. On his way home, R. Mordechai stopped in Liozna for Shabbos, where the Alter Rebbe invited him for the day seuda. During the meal, the Alter Rebbe said, “Well, if we’ll say the truth as it is, without humility, I am merely a beinoni.”

R. Mordechai, who was close to the Rebbe and felt especially comfortable now that he was wealthy, said to the Rebbe, “Now, I don’t consider myself a rasha, but if you’re a beinoni, what am I?” The Alter Rebbe told him, “Beinoni is an entire ‘world’…” (in which there are many levels).

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Reb Mordechai Liepler was active in pidyon shvuyim and freeing young men from serving in the Czar’s army. Eventually, the government found out and planned to arrest him, so Reb Mordechai hurried to the Alter Rebbe for a bracha. At that time, the Alter Rebbe’s granddaughter had just married the grandson of Reb Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev in Zhlobin, and Reb Mordechai arrived during the week of sheva brachos. When he presented his request, the Alter Rebbe advised him to approach his mechutan, the Rov of Berditchev.

The gabboim of Reb Levi Yitzchak did not want to allow him to disturb the tzaddik’s schedule, but when they heard his plight—especially the Alter Rebbe’s instruction—they advised him to hide in the room behind a curtain, and then present his request at an appropriate moment. From his hiding place, Reb Mordechai could watch Reb Levi Yitzchak’s assiduous avoda.

First, the tzaddik sat at a table in dveikus as both gabboim inserted spoonfuls of food into his mouth, with only small portions of it actually being eaten. The meal was soon over, and the elderly tzaddik was laid down on a bed. His gabboim sat near him, one at his head and the other at his feet, and they simultaneously read from Mishnayos and from Zohar, respectively. The tzaddik was deep asleep, yet every so often, he would stop them and correct their reading. After a short while, Reb Levi Yitzchak rose and washed neggel vasser.

At that moment, Reb Mordechai came out of his place and asked for a bracha. At first, Reb Levi Yitzchak told him off for endangering his life by being involved in activities that opposed the government, but upon hearing that it was at the Alter Rebbe’s instruction, he conceded, “If so, you are righteous in your case. Go in peace!” And that is what happened.