ויאמינו בשם ובמשה עבדו (בשלח יד:לא)

Reb Yitzchak Shlome Ungar zt”l the Rav of Chug Chasam Sofer from Bnei Brak related an amazing story that occurred to a Yid from his Kehilla by the name of Reb Yisroel Singer a”h, who originated from the city of Arad, Romania.

When Maran Reb Aharon of Belz zt”l and his brother, the Bilgoray Rav zt”l, fled from Budapest to Eretz Yisroel, they made a short stopover in Arad in Romania.  Many Yidden came to the train station to greet the tzaddik of the generation and receive his bracha.  At the time, Reb Yisroel Singer was gravely ill and was in the hospital, his life hanging on a thread.

His family members sent his brother Reb Yitzchak Singer to give a kvittel to Reb Aharon, together with a “פדיון נפש” – salvation money – as a merit for the patient.

Reb Yitzchak was not raised as a chassid but was a big believer in tzaddikim. With great awe, he stood in line to hand over his kvittel. After reading the kvittal, Maran Reb Aharon of Belz wished his brother Reb Yisroel a Refuah Shlaima – a quick recovery.

Since Reb Yitzchak was unfamiliar with Chassidic practices, he naively asked Reb Aharon to write a receipt for the amount of money he gave.  When the shamash – assistant – heard his request, he started yelling that the Rebbe was not one to write receipts.  But Reb Yitzchak was adamant: He will not leave unless his delivery is duly acknowledged.

Maran Reb Aron sat with his head bowed and heard his shamash argue with someone. When Maran inquired about what was happening, the shamash replied, “Someone is asking for a receipt because, in Romania, they accuse people of stealing.  I am trying to explain that it does not work like that! “

Maran responded: “You should be gezunt – healthy – until a hundred and twenty… if this is the whole deal, why not do a favor for a Yid and write a receipt which I will sign?!”

Maran requested a paper and wrote, “I, the undersigned, received money to daven for a sick person. I wish him a Refuah Shlaima and אריכת ימים ושנים a long life!” Then, Maran signed his name.

Reb Yitzchak ran to the hospital with the receipt in hand and placed it under his brother’s pillow.  A short while later, Reb Yisroel had a complete recovery.  

When the Nazis ym”s invaded Romania, Reb Yisroel, together with his wife and three daughters, successfully escaped to Eretz Yisroel, where he settled in Bnei Brak, davening in Chug Chasam Sofer Shul.

Throughout his life, Reb Yisroel watched over his “receipt.”  He kept it in a safe place and occasionally read it over. He was always grateful that he merited surviving the war with his family, while his devoted brother Reb Yitzchak tragically did not.

He merited to live long, healthy years and never needed a doctor.  

On Shabbos Shuva in 1996, when Reb Yisroel was almost one hundred years old,  he went to check on his receipt, but alas! He could not find it.  He searched his whole apartment but could not find it.  Reb Yisroel was a smart man.  He understood that his end was near.  With tears in his eyes, he gathered his entire family and bid them farewell.  He recited Vidui, said Shema, and went to sleep.  His neshama ascended to heaven that night at a ripe old age.