Wahl's story has gained a firm place in the folklore of the Jewish people. The version of the story set forth in the
Jewish Encyclopedia reads as follows: At a point in his life, Lithuanian noble
Nicholas Radziwill, wishing to do penance for the many atrocities he had committed while a young man, undertook a
pilgrimage to
Rome in order to consult the pope as to the best means for
expiating his sins. The pope advised him to dismiss all his servants and to lead for a few years the life of a wandering beggar. After the expiration of the period prescribed, Radziwill found himself destitute and penniless in
Padua,
Italy. His appeals for help were heeded by nobody, and his story of being a prince was received with scorn and ridicule. He finally decided to appeal to
Samuel Judah Katzenellenbogen, the rabbi of Padua. Katzenellenbogen received him with marked respect, treated him very kindly, and provided him with the means to return to Lithuania. When the time for departure came the prince asked the rabbi how he could repay him for his kindness. To allow Radziwill to repay the favour, Samuel asked that he help find his son Saul, who years before had left to study in a
yeshiva in Poland. Upon his return to Poland he inquired at all yeshivas until he found Saul in
Brest-Litovsk. Radziwill was impressed with Saul's intellect and offered to board him in his own castle, where Saul could pursue his studies. Radziwill's court personnel were similarly impressed with Saul, and his reputation spread throughout Poland. When King
Stephen Báthory died in 1586, the Poles were divided between wishing to be ruled by the
Zamoyski family and the
Zborowski. Polish law at that time stated that the throne might not remain unoccupied for any length of time, and that in case electors could not agree upon a king, an outsider should be appointed
rex pro tempore (temporary king). Radziwill proposed that Saul Wahl Katzenellenbogen be appointed temporary king, and Wahl was elected to the office. Traditions disagree as to the length of his reign. Some state that he ruled one night only; others make it a few days. ==Historicity==