Chanukah Candles in the Forest Chanukah Candles in the Forest
Reb Ptachya was a forest merchant. Each time before he would leave on his journey to the forest, he would go to the Rebbe Rashab to receive a blessing. One time he was planning to go a day before Chanukah, and like always, he came to his Rebbe. When he came, the Rebbe Rashab turn to him and said, "Reb Ptachya, when you go to work, you often stay in the woods for a couple of days. That’s why I'm asking you, now it's a day before Chanukah; take with you the Chanukah candle so that if you'll need them, you're going to have them handy."
Ptachya was very surprised at his Rebbe's words, because he was planning on being already home at the night of Chanukah. Nevertheless, he listened to the Rebbe Rashab, for he knew that the Rebbe could see stuff that ordinary people can't. And so, Ptachya went on his way, and of course, he did not forget the candle. He spent the entire day working in the forest, and towards the evening, he began heading home.
The forest was dark and only the dim light of the moon and stars lightened the gloominess of the deep, cold forest. Ptachya heard the crickets, saw the open sky. Everything was so peaceful… Suddenly… He heard someone behind him. Then he felt huge hands grabbing him. The anonymous put Ptachya's hands behind his back, while another covered his mouth. Next, he felt a rope tightly being tied around his arms. Now the thieves started looking in his pockets, searching for money. They quickly found what they were looking for, and got ready to kill Ptachya.
"What's you’re your last will before you die?" said a homely voiced.
Ptachya thought a bit then said "Today is the Jewish holiday Chanukah, please let me light the Chanukah candles." After he got their permission, he prepared the candles with shaking hands. As he said the prayer he felt two big tears rolling down his cheeks; this would be the last time he would light the Chanukah candles.
Meanwhile the duke was out in the forest too. When he saw a spark of light shining in from between the trees, he followed the light, which led him to the thieves and Ptachya. Right away, he ordered his men to arrest the thieves, and he saved Ptachya.
