איש על העדה… (פינחס כז:טז-יז)

When Harav Hatzaddik Reb Yaakov Yitzchok Neiman zt”l, the Rav of Machzikei Hadas Belz in Montreal, visited Maran Reb Aharon of Belz zt”l in Eretz Yisroel, he was ‘mazkir’ (mentioned) the names of his kehilla (community members) to the Rav zt”l, asking they should merit plentiful parnassah.

Maran Reb, Aharon of Belz, repeated a known saying of a good Yid: “Unlike a Chassidic Rebbe, a Rav of a community always needs to have his own spiritual powers to effect a yeshuah (salvation) in three areas:

1. In case of a fire, the Kehilla needs an immediate Yeshuah  (there is just not enough time to travel to a Rebbe.)
2. In case of a difficult childbirth – this calls for an immediate Yeshuah.
3. Parnassah (livelihood) – if his community members do not have parnassah, the Rav also would not have parnassah – since there would not be anyone to support the Rav.