וצרת הכסף בידך והלכת אל המקום (ראה יד:כה)

Maran Reb Aharon of Belz zt’’l was scheduled to spend Yomim Noraim of תש’’ה in Tzfas. The askanim – community activists were worried if they would have enough money to pay for the Rebbe’s accommodations in Tzfas.  Maran calmed them down, saying that everything would be alright.

A few days following Maran Reb Aharon’s arrival in Tzfas, three elderly Yidden arrived with their kvittels.  They asked the gabbai, Reb Hillel Wind a’’h, if they could have an audience with the Rebbe before eight o’clock, since the Assisted Living Facility where they live locks its doors then, and they wouldn’t have anywhere to sleep. R’Hillel said he would try his best.  The first of the elderly Yidden handed “Gabbai Gelt” to R’ Hillel, and after a short time, he allowed them inside the Rebbe’s quarters, and Maran gave them ‘Shulem.’

The first Yid offered his kvittel and removed a bundle of five English Pound Sterling notes from his pocket, placing them on the table.  Maran asked R’ Hillel to count the money, and it totaled to the large sum of 255 pounds sterling.  The other two Yidden did the same thing.  One handed over a bundle containing £185, and the third handed over £125, totaling £310 – a considerable sum at the time, which could support a family for a few months.

Maran Reb Aharon asked them from where they had acquired such a vast amount?  One of them replied that he has two sons, one living in America and the other in Paris, and they send him monthly payments.  Maran wasn’t satisfied with this answer and prodded further. “How did you accumulate such a huge amount?”

The elderly Yid replied: “Years ago, before departing to Eretz Yisroel, we bid farewell to our Rebbe, the Shinover Rav zt’’l. We asked him, “How will we keep our connection with the Rebbe? Since until today we were able to give our kvittel with pidyan money to the Rebbe, and when we move to Eretz Yisroel, we won’t have an opportunity to meet with our Rebbe?”

The Shinover Rav told us: “When you want to give me a ‘kvittel,’ you should write the kvittel and separate money for ‘Pidyan Nefesh.’ You should amass this money until the time comes that a tzaddik will come to Tzfas, and you will surmise that the tzaddik is worthy of your money.”

The elderly Yid concluded: “The Shinover came to us in a dream and said, ‘The Rebbe that is coming to your city – I meant him!”

Maran Reb Aharon of Belz heaped upon the elderly Yidden warm wishes and brachos, wishing them “א גוט געבענטשט יאר.”  When they left, Maran turned to his gabbaim and exclaimed: “I told you not to worry about money!”.