לא אשים עליך כי אני ה’ רופאך (בשלח טו:כו)

An elderly Belzer chassid, Reb Noach Langsam shlita, related a story he heard from the renowned philanthropist Reb Moshe Kirshenbaum z”l, a Krakow Yid who settled in America after the war and served as the shamash in the renowned Chassidic “Ninety-Nine Shul” in the East Side.

The story takes place in the winter of 1938, when Maran Reb Aharon of Belz zt”l spent time in Krakow, recuperating from an eye ailment.

One day, Reb Moshe passed by the home of Reb Dovid Landau z”l, where Maran was staying, and saw a large group of Yidden gathered outside.  He inquired what was happening and was told that Maran Reb Aharon of Belz was going to daven Mincha.  Reb Moshe decided to stay and “take Shulem” – greeting – from Maran Reb Aharon, as well as to have the opportunity to be in the presence of this holy Rebbe since he had never seen Reb Aharon before.

It was customary to form two lines. One row was for those who wanted to take shulem, and the other was for those who wanted to hand over a kvittel. Reb Moshe placed himself on the line to take shulem.

Following Mincha, Maran came into the room and passed the rows of people to get to the front of the room. Reb Aharon stopped by Reb Moshe and said: “From this Yid I want to take a kvittel!”.

Reb Moshe wondered about the remark of this great tzaddik, it seemed that Maran wanted money from him since he was a wealthy Yid, but from great awe, he quickly wrote a kvittel listing the names of all his family members and placed himself in the second row.

When Maran started reading Reb Moshe’s kvittel, he stopped at the name of one of his sons and repeated it a few times, saying that the child should have a “Refuah Sheleima” – a full recovery. 

Reb Moshe was shocked; he could not understand what was happening since, according to his knowledge, none of his children were sick before he left home.

As soon as he came home, he was greeted by an uproar.  One of his sons was suddenly stricken with a fatal illness and was rushed to the hospital and needed רחמי שמים – Divine mercy!

A great miracle occurred. His son quickly healed despite the grave prognosis of the doctors.

Reb Moshe realized the great Ahavas Yisroel – love for his fellow Yid from Maran.  Though Reb Aharon did not know Reb Moshe personally, he davened for him and his household.