Rabbi David of Kolomai

Born:  ?

Died:   (?) 1742

A student of the Baal Shem Tov.

Rabbi David of Kolomai once lost his way during a trip on behalf of "Chanuka Gelt" for ransoming Jewish captives. He wandered into the home of the  Baal Shem Tov before his revelation and was welcomed by his wife. Accustomed to receiving guests from the village, she prepared a table for him and offered him a room in which to rest.

The Baal Shem Tov meanwhile returned and joyfully served R' David a meal prepared by his wife. He made his bed and prepared water for him to wash his hands.

Lying asleep on his bed that night., R' David suddenly awoke to notice a fire blazing from beneath the stove. Afraid that the blaze would spread he cried aloud , "Fire !" He seized the pitcher of water and ran to pour its contents on the stove. But when he reached the blaze he saw an unbelievable sight. The Baal Shem Tov was seated next to the stove saying tikun chatzot (a prayer recited after midnight) and a bright light shone about him. R' David fainted and lay almost lifeless on the floor until the Baal Shem Tov revived him.

Awakening, R' David turned to the Baal Shem Tov for an explanation of the strange sight he had seen. "I was only saying some psalms of Tehillim but it is possible that my attachment to God created the blazing light which you saw."

That very night the Baal Shem Tov removed his mask and revealed his true identity to Rabbi David. The latter swore his allegiance and eventually developed into one of the foremost of his disciples and disseminators of his Torah. 

May the merit of the tzaddik  Rabbi David of Kolomai  protect us all, Amen.