The Officer and the Yom Tov Leave

The Maharsham devoted great effort on behalf of the Jewish soldiers in the Austrian army, trying to obtain a few days of leave for them for the yomim tovim. It took up much of his precious time, but he usually succeeded.

Once he went, as usual, to a certain officer who this time refused. The Maharsham pleaded and persuaded. He described a Jewish home on Yom Tov with the head of the family missing: who would make kiddush and say hamotzi, who would tell the story of the festival, teach the children, answer their questions and test what they knew? His words made no impression, and the officer would not give in. The Maharsham looked him in the eye and said, "In the end you will regret your wickedness." Then he left.

A few days later the officer was badly hurt in an accident. He understood at once that the Maharsham's words had caused it, and he went to find him, begging for forgiveness and for healing. "Am I Hashem?" the Maharsham answered. "Know that you brought your own fate on yourself. If you promise me that you will always release the Jewish soldiers in your units for the festivals, I will forgive you, and you will recover."

The officer apologized humbly and promised to do as he was told, and he recovered.