My friend further related a story: “A Jew came to the Rebbe begging him to assure him his daughter, suffering from a kidney ailment ‘will’ have a refuah sheleima. The Rebbe replied, “She ‘should’ have a Refuah Sheleima.” The Yid started crying and said: ”I am not leaving until the Rebbe promises me that she ‘will’ have a refuah sheleima.” The Rebbe said, “Who am I that I can promise such a thing.” The man sat and cried bitterly for a long time. Finally the Rebbe stood up and said: “Go home - She ‘will’ have a refuah sheleima.”
This young boy heard the exchange, and after the man had left, he approached the Rebbe, asking “How could the Rebbe have such ‘koichois’ that he could promise such a thing?” The Rebbe replied: “I don’t have any special ‘koichois.’ I saw that this man would have passed out if I did not promise him. Afterward, I lift my hands to Hashem in Tefillah and I cry: ‘Ribbono Shel HaOlam- I am begging you Please do not make me into a liar.”
When a similar incident occurred with the Rebbe giving a havtacha, the Rebbe later said: “Apparently, Hashem had mercy on me. He didn’t want the Kopycznitzer Rebbe to become known to one and all as a liar who makes promises that he can’t keep, so He heard my Tefillos.”
Yisroel Safrin author. As featured in the Monsey Mevaser 'Klal Personalities' series
