ויפצר בו ויקח (וישלח לג: יא)

Everyone had to enlist in the army during the Mitteler Rav zt”l.  The commander at that time was highly arrogant and harsh towards the Yidden and would not accept bribery to exempt Yidden from serving in the army.  When the Frierdiga Rav zt”l was a bochur and needed to report for duty, he faced this officer.  Out of respect for the father of the Frierdiga Rav, the Mitteler Rav, the officer exempted his son from army duty.

In appreciation, the Mitteler Rav sent the officer a silver snuff box.  Despite his arrogance, the officer could not refuse the gift from the esteemed Belzer Rebbe and accepted it.  The Mitteler Rav said: “With this gift, I opened his heart to accept and continue accepting bribery.”