נפש כי תחטא בשגגה… (ויקרא ד:ב)

A handyman once worked in Maran Reb Aharon of Belz zt” l’s home in Tel Aviv. A Chassid remarked that he once saw this handyman smoking publicly on Shabbos, implying he should not be allowed to work at the Rebbe’s home. Maran told him that it was impossible; it was surely during the weekday when he smoked.

The Chassid was persistent, and it occurred on a Friday night. Maran asked him when he witnessed this event. The Chassid replied: “When he went home from Shul after davening.” Maran argued that it must have occurred on Friday, Erev Shabbos, on the way to Shul. However, the Chassid argued that it happened after the end of the Davening of Ma-ariv, so it was already Shabbos.

Maran Reb Aharon said: “Let’s ask the handyman himself!”

The handyman was summoned, and Reb Aharon told him: “I’m arguing with this Chasid.  He claims that you smoked on Shabbos, and I claim that you smoked on Erev Shabbos. What do you say?”

The handyman replied that the incident had occurred on Erev Shabbos.  Maran replied: “Since you caused a Yid to say that you smoked on Shabbos you need to donate a pack of candles to the Shul”.  And to the Chassid, Maran said: “Since you accused a Yid of desecrating Shabbos, you also need to donate a pack of candles to the Shul”.

Maran continued: “And I also need to donate a pack of candles, since I heard someone say that he suspects another Yid of desecrating Shabbos.” 

Maran then asked his shamash—assistant—to bring three packs of candles, one for himself, one for the handyman, and the third one for the Chassid. The candles were duly donated to the Shul.