The New Wise Men of Chelm Stories: How The Rabbi Kept His Job

by Moishe Unklovitch

Last time, we learned how the board was formed. But how did Rabbi Fishel keep his job? Here is the backstory as to how Rabbi Fishel regained and kept his job.

There were many arguments as to what the best way to face Jerusalem for prayers was. Thus, the board decided they needed another board. The whole town of Chelm was on that board too. They called that board a committee, as many people were confused which board was for what. In the end, this board was called the Jerusalem Prayer Committee. It turned out that Jerusalem Prayer Committee never figured out where to face. So, they ended up facing the same way that the previous generation faced. Nonetheless, they raised much money for Jerusalem, as many of the Chelmites believed that the committee was praying for Jerusalem's wellbeing. And they prayed for Jerusalem and raised money for Jerusalem, but it was still not a fundraiser.

After time it was clear that they needed a rabbi to answer questions that were answered at the meetings with 'ask your rabbi.' Being that the wise men and women didn't have Smicha (rabbinic ordination), they could not answer those questions. Any questions that had an answer that was not 'ask your rabbi,' they were fine answering. And the people on the board answered those questions, and discussed the different answers they gave. And there was still no fundraiser.
It turns out that their answers were disagreements with other people's answers.
Then the idea of Halacha, Jewish law, was introduced to the conversation and all was quite confusing. 

The board couldn’t make a decision as to which rabbi to hire as the rabbi of Chelm. They needed a rabbi for that. And that continued for many years.
It turned out that Rabbi Fishel had a few days left on his yearly contract, when they would ask him the yearly question, 'Who should we hire as rabbi?' Rabbi Fishel was always shocked, 'This is the first question I have been asked since I rebecame the official rabbi.' And Rabbi Fishel kept his job. From then on, Rabbi Fishel had to answer the questions of the people, and he had to answer to the board, which all of the people were on. And the board told Rabbi Fishel that if he answers any questions, they'll fire him. And they said he's worthless; and they accomplished what they set out to do as a board.

Years later, after Rabbi Fishel had answered his first and only question, the board made the decision to finally hire a rabbi who will be their chief rabbi. Again, Rabbi Fishel answered that it should be him. And Rabbi Fishel never got to make another decision, as there was a board, and the board told him that they would fire him if he ever made another decision.
Once Rabbi Fishel was hired as the chief rabbi of Chelm, the board finally figured out how to make decisions. After weeks of meetings, they would go to Rabbi Fishel and pose the question. At first Rabbi Fishel was surprised. But the board said to answer them. To which Rabbi Fishel would answer, and they would say, 'No.' 
To this day, all questions are asked to Rabbi Fishel, and the board answers them. And that is how Rabbi Fishel keeps his job. And everybody on the board loves him.

Epilogue
The rabbi vacations a lot.