רבים הגוים האלה… (עקב ז:יז-)

Reb Menachem Berkowitz zt”l related:

When my brother, Reb Yitzchak Binyamin, the Ladiner Rav zt”l, was born, my father, Reb Asher Mordechai Mendlowitz zt”l, was living in Ratzfert. At that time, during the war years, Maran Reb Yissachar Dov of Belz zt”l was also staying in the town, and my father invited him to serve as sandak at the bris.

Maran was unable to attend because the bris took place on Shabbos. He did not want the assembled guests to delay their Kiddush while waiting for him, nor did he want a non-Jew to carry the baby to him. Instead, he proposed a compromise: he would come to the house for the שלישי למילה, the festive meal held on the third day after the bris.

But how would Maran travel to our home?

Our next-door neighbor was a wealthy Hungarian farmer named Tarkani. Hearing that the “Wonder Rabbi” was coming to his Jewish neighbor’s home, he eagerly approached my father and asked if he could have the honor of bringing the Rebbe in his fine horse and carriage.

My father replied that he would have to ask the gabbai, but he could make no promises, since Reb Mendel Katz—who also owned a horse and wagon—had likewise offered to drive the Rebbe.

“If you ask,” the gabbai said, “I will present the request to the Rav.”

When Maran Reb Yissachar Dov heard of the non-Jew’s request, he replied, “If it is considered an honor for the gentile to drive me, then I will go with him.” At the same time, he made a compromise: he would travel to the seudah with the Hungarian farmer, but return home with Reb Mendel Katz.