Two Chassidim and a Mitnaged (opponent of chassidism) discuss the miracles of ‘wonder’-Rebbes.
First Chassid: “A few years ago my Rebbe was in a village. Suddenly a fire broke out. The people rushed out of the house. A mother began to cry: ‘My little Rivkale is still in the house, Lord of the World, do not let my child die.’
My Rebbe prayed for a while and went into the burning house. What shall I tell you! On the left: Fire! On the right: Fire! But my Rebbe went through the middle and saved the child!”
Second Chassid: “A few years ago my Rebbe was in a village. Suddenly there was a flood. A mother began to cry: ‘Lord of the World, my little Avrumele cannot swim and he fell into the water. Please do not let him drown!’
My Rebbe heard this, did a little prayer, jumped into the flood! What shall I tell you! On the left: Water! On the right: Water! And in the middle there was my Rebbe and saved the child!
Mitnaged, pretending to be a Chassid: “And a few years ago my Rebbe traveled from Minsk to Kiev. It was winter, and the train was delayed because of the heavy snow. It became Friday afternoon, and the train got stuck in the snow. As it was becoming darker, my Rebbe began to pray. And what shall I tell you: On the left: Shabbos! On the right: Shabbos! And in the middle there was the train.”