ויאמר ה’ אל משה אמור אל אהרן קח מט ונטה ידך על מימי מצרים (וארא ז:יט)

In the early years that Maran Reb Aharon of Belz, zt״l, lived in Tel Aviv, there was a bochur who would come on Friday nights to learn in the Beis Medrash while Maran conducted the Shabbos Tisch. In those days, there were Shabbosim when there were not enough people at the Tisch to complete a minyan for Birchas Hamazon, and they would ask this bochur to join as the “tenth” so they could recite “נברך לאלוקינו” during bentching.

The bochur later became engaged and, after his wedding, moved to America. As he did not come from a chassidish background, he did not approach Maran to bid farewell before leaving.

Years later, now a father, he returned to visit his elderly father for Shavuos. During Yom Tov, after the seudah, he wondered where he might find a minyan for Yom Tov Sheini—the second day of Yom Tov observed outside Eretz Yisroel. He inquired in the Belz Beis Medrash whether such a minyan would be held the next day. At that very moment, the door suddenly opened, and Maran entered the Beis Medrash to daven after a long absence.

Maran Reb Aharon diverted from his place and approached the guest, saying, “Where have you been all this time? I owe you a thank-you for always joining our minyan for Birchas Hamazon.” Maran then thanked him warmly and gave him a blessing.