(ושחט אותה לפניו (חקת יט:ג

During World War I, men were being drafted into the military and sent to the front, where they faced the very real danger of never returning home. Their wives and children came weeping to Maran Reb Yissocher Dov of Belz zt”l, begging that Maran daven and have mercy on their husbands who had been seized and sent to the front lines.

That Shabbos, Parshas Chukas, during Shalosh Seudos, Maran Reb Yissocher Dov was saying Divrei Torah when he suddenly became aroused. He declared: “The passuk says ושחט אותה לפניו — and Rashi explains: זר שוחט ואלעזר רואה — a stranger slaughters while Elazar looks on.”

Maran then cried out: “זר שוחט — how can it be that foreign goyim should, chas v’shalom, slaughter Yidden?! ואלעזר רואה — and the word אלעז״ר itself is composed of the words א״ל עז״ר — Hashem helps! It cannot be that Hashem merely looks on — Hashem helps!“

The following day, surprisingly great news arrived. Every one of the men who had been drafted was freed and returned home safely.