Rav Elimelech of Lizensk, who spread Chassidism throughout Galicia, spent many years in exile going from town to town living in poverty and deprivation.
When he finally settled down in the town of Lizensk people flocked to him from far and wide for Torah teachings and blessings.
One time he received an invitation from the heads of a small town in Galicia. Reb Elimelech knew them well for he had spent many days there during his wanderings. He agreed to come.
The people of the town were overjoyed and greatly excited at the prospect of the great Rabbi Elimelech’s arrival and one very wealthy man met the rav’s horse and wagon in the neighboring town.
Wants Him As Guest
“Rebbe,” he said, “I have come to ask of you a great favor. I want you to honor me by staying at my home. I will prepare for you a magnificent room and meals and whatever you want will be yours.”
Reb Elimelech knew that this man wished only to elevate himself in the eyes of the people of the town by having a famous gadol in his home. In all the years that he had wandered through the town as an anonymous beggar, the rich man had never invited him to his house. Nevertheless, he did not refuse him outright, but said: “Come back later to my lodgings and we shall see.”
The Poor Teacher
Reb Elimelech had always stayed at the home of a poor but kind melamed, and decided to do so this time as well.
When the rich man heard this, however, he ran to Rabbi Elimelech and fretfully asked: “Rebbe, I worked so hard getting my house ready for you in hopes of being able to have you as my guest. Why did you choose to stay at the home of this poor man?”
“I will tell you,” replied the rav. “I am very puzzled at why you suddenly desire to honor me and have me as your guest. What quality do you find in me that is new and worthy of merit?
“In all my years of exile in this town and others I was the same person. Nevertheless, you did not find it important to honor me. I am still the same person today, and suddenly you wish to have me as your guest. What has happened?
“I have thought about it a great deal and decided that there is only one thing different. Before this I used to come on foot and now I come with a wagon and horses. This is the only difference and it is obvious that this is what you want to honor. Go then, and take my carriage and horses and honor them with the mitzvah of hachnasas orchim.”