Ten Chassidim in Marienbad

It is told that when the telegram about the unpaid suppliers reached Rav Elchonon in Marienbad, he went in distress to the Imrei Emes of Gur, who was also there, and described the yeshivah’s state. “How can I help you?” the Rebbe asked. Rav Elchonon asked whether the Rebbe would summon ten wealthy chassidim and ask each to give 250 zlotys, in return for the Rebbe’s blessing.

The Rebbe called in a well-off chassid and said, “This is Rav Elchonon, the leading talmid of the Chofetz Chaim. The bochurim of his yeshivah are starving. It would be proper to give 250 zlotys.” Without a word the chassid took out the money and handed it over. “But what about the blessing?” said Rav Elchonon. “Was it not agreed that each donor would receive one?” The Rebbe gave the blessing, and called in one chassid after another, until the full sum was raised.

With that done, Rav Elchonon said that he had been struggling with a certain Tosafos in Menachos and asked whether they might discuss it. The Rebbe, so brief by nature, went into the sugya with him for nearly half an hour.