Hakaras Hatov

The Parsha elaborates on the mitzvah of hakaras hatov (acknowledging a good deed) as noted in the reason for bringing Bikkurim.

Reb Aharon of Belz zt” l proclaimed: “Boruch Hashem, I was never left owing someone a favor!” – (Note: There are countless stories of Reb Aharon zt” l after he passed on, interceding Above for those who support his Yeshivas.)

R’ Eliezer Moshe Bernath z” l, a choshev Yid and renowned talmid chacham, passed away twelve years ago, on ו’ אלול תשע’’ה – the year 2015, at the ripe age of 95 years. R’ Eliezer Moshe was a pious yid. As a bochur (teenager), he merited serving as Reb Aharon of Belz zt”l shamash (attendee), during WWII, when Reb Aharon zt” l took refuge in his father’s, R’ Shmuel Ber Bernath’s a’’h home in the Pest Ghetto.

Reb Aharon zt” l spent 72 days on the run in the Bernath’s home, in which R’ Eliezer Moshe used to fondly recall those days with tears, saying, “those 72 days that I was worthy of tending to the Rebbe’s needs was a חס’’ד – which is gematria 72!”  

After the war, Reb Aharon praised R’ Eliezer Moshe, saying: “R’ Eliezer Moshe was so devoted to me!”

The 72 days at the Bernath home ended on ו’ אלול תש’’ג – the year 1943, when Reb Aharon zt”l continued his pursuit of the Nazi’s y”s and went to his next hiding place in the ghetto. Exactly 72 years later, on Friday, ו’ אלול תשע’’ה – the year 2015, R’ Eliezer Moshe a’’h passed away – 72 additional years as a payback for the חס’’ד he had the honor to bestow upon Reb Aharon of Belz zt” l.

Read here to learn more about Reb Aharon of Belz z’’l miraculous escape.