Once the Chofetz Chaim, ZT”L, was visiting a certain town for Shabbos. He carried with him a very large sum of money. As time for Shabbos was getting closer, he realized that he had nowhere to keep it so he entrusted the money into the hands of the local town Rav.
After Shabbos was over, the town Rav noticed something very strange. He saw the Chofetz Chaim boarding the carriage with all his personal belongings (about to depart) without collecting the money he entrusted him with.
The Rav ran towards the wagon to tell the Chofetz Chaim that he forgot to pick up the money he left with him. The Chofetz Chaim responded by explaining that he was well aware of that. The Rav asked him why he didn’t pick it up. He explained that his reason for doing so was that there is a halacha which states one is not allowed to entrust money to another person without witnesses. He added that since he didn’t have time to get witnesses, as soon as he handed over the money he declared it ownerless. He then told the town Rav, “It’s not mine, you can keep it.”
The Rav tried to convince the Chofetz Chaim to take it back but he wouldn’t budge until finally, once the carriage started moving the town Rav threw the money into the carriage and declared, “I declare it ownerless in return!” What an outstanding example of honesty!
Reprinted from the Parshas Mikeitz 5784 email of Torah Sweets.
