Rav Aryeh Leibush was in a bind. On the one hand, to permit the woman who stood before him to remarry seemed a grave error; on the other hand, he always strove to ease the suffering of agunos and try and find a halachic way to release those women who wished to remarry but were chained in a marriage where a husband had either vanished or disappeared.
In his teshuvos, Even HaEzer Siman 14 he wrote: “Although I know that if I remain silent, this woman might remain an aguna. I fear G-d: How can I hold myself back, especially in light of the bold statement in Teshuvas HaBach HaChadashos Siman 64 that teaches us that whoever unchains even just one agunah and permits her to remarry, it is considered as if he restored one of the ruins of Jerusalem. However, the opposite is also true, I fear. Whoever permits an aguna to marry in error when it is forbidden, it is as if he destroyed Jerusalem, Heaven forbid!”
Many letters poured in from other rabbonim whose opinions were that the aguna was permitted to remarry. They tried to persuade Rav Aryeh Leibush as to the merits of their arguments in favor of the case. However, the Aryeh Dvei Illay remained unmoved and stood his ground.
Finally, one of the rabbis who sought to permit the aguna, challenged Rav Aryeh Leibush face to face. “Look at all the clear proofs and arguments which support our position. How can you still oppose us and not permit this agunah to remarry?” the rabbi pressed.
Rav Aryeh Leibush had no choice left but to reveal the truth. “I feel I am bound to reveal to you the secret reason behind my opposition. Tell me, how can I possibly permit her to remarry when I see with mine own eyes that her husband is alive and well?!”
His words proved to be prophetic, for indeed, just a few days later, the presumed dead husband showed up alive and well. He strode into town to the shock of all Rav Aryeh Leibush’s former detractors. They declared that it was a sign from Heaven that Rav Areyeh Leibush’s opinion on halacha should be henceforth followed in all matters.
