Rav Uri of Strelisk was the Ahavas Shalom’s brother-in-law. One day he came to Kosov for a visit. A poor Chassid, who had no means to marry off his daughter, approached the Ahavas Shalom and asked him for a yeshua to help marry off his daughter. “My brother-in-law, the great tzaddik, Rav Uri, is here visiting,” explained the Ahavas Shalom. “Please go to him and he will help you.”
The Chassid went to Rav Uri and explained that he had been sent by the Ahavas Shalom to get a beracha and a yeshua to marry off his daughter. “Please take the zechus (merit) I have accrued today from my davening; that zechus will help you marry off your daughter.” The Chassid thanked him and headed back to the Ahavas Shalom. “No, no, now that won’t do at all! Go back and tell my brother-in-law that it’s not enough,” replied the Ahavas Shalom when he heard what his Chassid reported.
The Chassid returned to Rav Uri and repeated what his Rebbe had said. “Well, in that case, here, take the zechus of the mitzva of tefillin which I donned today as well.” But that didn’t work either. “Oh no, surely that’s not enough to help marry off your daughter.” The Ahavas Shalom shook his head sadly. “Go back and tell my brother-in-law that it’s not good enough.” Again the Chassid dutifully returned to the Strelisker and again Rav Uri “gave him the gift” of the zechus of another mitzva. When the Chassid came back a third time with his Rebbe’s complaints, Rav Uri rushed to see his brother-in-law and to ask him face to face what was wrong.
“Please explain what zechus I should give to help the Chassid marry off his daughter.” “Come,” said the Ahavas Shalom, “come together with me and we shall go from house to house among the Yidden till we have collected the sum this poor Chassid needs, and in that zechus he will be able to marry off his daughter.” And so they did.
