לא תשיך לאחיך…(כי תצא כג:כ)

You shall not cause your brother to take interest…

After WWII, the Pupa Rav, the “Vayechi Yosef,” zt’’l lived in Belguim, where he established a Yeshiva.  In 1956, a group of Belzer Chassidim and the Pupa Rav traveled for the first time to Eretz Yisrael to visit Maran, Rebbe Aharon of Belz zt’’l.

One chassid from the group came to the Pupa Rav and said he was very upset.  Whenever he gave his hand to Maran Rebbe Aharon, the rebbe placed a towel around his hand before accepting the chassid’s handshake (as Reb Aharon was customary to do with young children.) 

The Pupa Rav asked if any of his business dealings weren’t halachicly appropriate.  The Yid tried to remind himself until he remembered that he invested his money in a deal that perhaps contained a transgression of ribis – interest. The Pupa Rav replied, “If so, you should draw back this deal.” 

The chassid tracked down the investment and withdrew his contract.  Soon after, when the chassid passed Maran again and gave his hand, Maran shook his hand without a towel. 

Filed under Parshas Ki Seitzei | Reb Aharon of Belz