Rav Michel's Blessing

Rav Michel of Zlotshuv once visited Brody and stayed at the home of Rav Yehuda Zundel, who treated him as an honored guest. Before Rav Michel left and traveled onward, he blessed his host that he should have a child who would light up the entire world.

Rav Yehuda Zundel’s young daughter, Rivka Henya, was listening, and she remarked, “But my parents are too old to have any more children. His berocha must then apply to me.” It is told that she was right, for her son was the Sar Sholom of Belz.

Another version relates that Rav Yehuda Zundel had a dream, which he told to the Chachmei HaKloiz in Brody, in which he was promised a child who would light up the world. He himself was puzzled by the vision because of his old age. When his young daughter Rivka Henya heard this, she remarked, “May it be His will that I merit this child,” and all the sages of the Kloiz answered, “Amen.”