Supporting a Mikvah

The Chatam sofer

Among the illustrious sons-in-law of the Chasam Sofer was the gaon Rabbi Eliyahu Kornitzer זצ"ל. His merit in joining this holy dynasty stems from a remarkable tale of hidden righteousness. It began in a town where a question arose regarding the local mikveh. Seeking guidance, the town's rabbi turned to the Chasam Sofer, who ruled that while the mikveh was technically permissible, it was far from ideal. He expressed his profound wish that it be renovated to the highest standards of halachic excellence.
Upon hearing this, a local philanthropist—Rabbi Eliyahu’s father—approached the town rabbi with a singular condition: absolute anonymity. He then generously funded the entire renovation, ensuring the mikveh reached a state of perfection.

Sometime later, the Chasam Sofer inquired about the mikveh’s status. When the rabbi shared how a secret benefactor had stepped forward with such noble selflessness, the Chasam Sofer was deeply moved. "If such a man seeks a match for his children," A while after the Chasam Sofer met again this rav, and once again said how amazed hes of that person, and "If such a man seeks a match for his children".

When the Chasam Sofer repeated this sentiment during their next encounter, the rabbi realized these were not mere words but a divine hint. He discovered the benefactor had a son studying in the Chasam Sofer’s own yeshiva in Pressburg. Recognizing the boy, the Chasam Sofer chose him as a groom for his daughter. From this union arose the renowned Kornitzer family, a lineage of celebrated rabbis and descendants of the Chasam Sofer.

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The Meor einayim

the Tzadik Rabbi Nachum of Chernobyl זצ"ל, author of the Me’or Einayim, heard that a certain village was in desperate need of a ritual bath - a mikvah, and its not being done cause of the huge expense it was digging at the place they spose to build it.

The tzadik bothered extremly the fact that there is a vilage without a mikvah, so He contacted one of the wealthy men of the land and asked him to donate toward this great cause, promising to sell the man his own portion in Paradise (Gan Eden) in exchange. The wealthy man jumped at the opportunity, and the two signed a written contract.

When the Tzaddik was asked what had moved him to sell his portion in the World to Come just to build a mikvah, he replied:

"Twice every day, we recite the Shema and say the words: 'And you shall love the Lord your God... with all your might (bechol me'odecha).' Our Sages explained (Berachot 54) that 'with all your might' means 'with all your wealth.' Since I have not been blessed with possessions, how could I ever fulfill this commandment?

The only thing I own that has any value," Rabbi Nachum continued, "is my portion in the World to Come. Therefore, I am compelled to sell it so that I may fulfill the command of my Creator to love Him 'with all my might'—ensuring that my daily prayers are not in vain. This is how one fulfills the commandment in its fullest sense."

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