Haim the Porter

Some Hassidic Sages uphold the view that man should pour his heart and concerns out to his Creator. Among these sages was Rav Levi Yitzhak of Berditchev. It is told that on the Seder night Rav Levi Yitzhak reached great heights of enthusiasm and appeared to be in "seventh heaven," when the Heavens revealed to him: "Do not be boastful; the Seder of Haim the porter is grander than your Seder!"

At that point, Hassidim who had already finished their Seder had come to the Rebbe's house to hear and see the Seder of the great Tzaddik [righteous man]. Rav Levi Yitzhak turned to them: "Do you know Reb Haim the porter?"

The Hassidim scattered throughout the streets of Berditchev looking for him, until they discovered where he lived. They knocked on the door for him to open up. A woman came out and said, "What do you need my husband for? He's drunk and asleep in bed."

The Hassidim, of course, ignored her words, woke her husband up from his sleep and carried him on their shoulders until they reached the Tzaddik's home. The Tzaddik ordered them to seat the porter by his side, and turned to him with questions: "Dear Reb Haim, what inspirational thoughts did you have during the Seder?"

The porter fixed his bleary eyes on him, nodded his head and said: "I'll tell the Rav the truth. I heard that it was forbidden to drink alcoholic beverages for eight straight days, so this morning I drank a right proper amount that would last me for all eight days. I got so tired that I fell asleep. When night came, my wife woke me from my sleep and said, 'Why aren't you getting ready for the Seder tonight, just like all other Jews?' I answered her, 'What do you want from me? I'm just an ignoramus, son of ignoramuses. But see, I know this, our forefathers were captured by the Gypsies [he got 'Gypsies' and 'Egyptians' confused. Since he knew about Gypsies personally, he mixed them up with the ancient Egyptians.] We have a mighty God who led us out of there to freedom, and now we are again captives, and I know and will tell you, God will lead us to freedom again.' Afterwards I saw that the table was set with Matzot, wine and eggs. I ate and drank and gave my wife to eat and drink. After that I was overcome with joy and raised my cup to the Heavens and said, 'Look, my God, at the cup that I am drinking, to Your health! L'haim to You, God! Hear us and redeem us.' And then I went back to sleep."