Rav Shlomo Kazranovsky told how once the Rebbe Rayatz sent him and his son-in-law, the Rashag, on a shelichus mission to Toronto, Canada. Due to the snow, the transportation was delayed and they were stranded at the hotel. As they sat, several Chabad Chassidim arrived, as well as one of the local Rabbonim, who told the following story:
“One of my ba’alei batim, a member of our congregation, was sick, and lay in the hospital as his sickness spread and attacked his body, causing him to be bedridden and unable to walk. When I found out, I personally went to visit him. His family told me that his condition was very serious and that I could not even go in to see him, but he heard my voice and called them to tell me to come in.
‘I heard that the Lubavitcher Rebbe is in America,’ the sick man said. ‘Please write to him and ask him how can I redeem myself and get well!’
“I quickly sent a telegram to the Rebbe Rayatz, explaining the situation, and his answer arrived back quickly as well: ‘Tell the sick man that they are in the midst of constructing a Lubavitcher Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim in Montreal and that he should donate one thousand dollars, because an angel of one thousand is worth more than of one hundred, as we say: im yesh olov maloch meilitz achad minI olef.’
“I quickly brought the Rebbe’s reply to the hospital. The family heard and one uncle said in disgust, ‘You see – already these people find ways of squeezing out money.’
“I kept my silence and brought the Rebbe’s holy words to the sick man. He heard me read the letter and immediately told his son, ‘Quick – send the money to Montreal – I want to live!’
“And so they did. A few days later, the family told me what had happened. Apparently, the doctor came in anger and accused them of using another doctor and changing the medication and treatment without notifying the hospital or staff. When the family argued and countered that they had done no such thing, the doctor replied, ‘If so, it’s a miracle! For his entire disease is abating and leaving him and his body is going back to normal, resuming its functions, and he will be released completely well in a few days’ time!’
“This is indeed what happened. Afterward, the son asked me if he had to delay his wedding. ‘I was engaged and we pushed off the wedding date because of my father’s sickness. Now that he is well again, we wished to proceed, but my uncle whom you met at the hospital suddenly died.’
“I told him not to push off the wedding again.” (Shemuos Vesippurim I, p. 218–219 )
