Stories of Faith by Rabbi Elimelech Biderman Shlit"a

The Gava'd of Yerushalayim, Reb Yitzchak Tuvyah Weiss Shlita, told me
that when he was learning in Kollel after his chasunah, he thought of a shidduch for an orphan bachur, who also learned in the yeshiva. To protect the yasom from possible disappointment, he spoke with the girl's family first, to see whether they were interested in the shidduch. They were. Reb Tuvyah then spoke with the bachur. The bachur revealed that he has some medical problem, and he couldnt go on with the shidduch without first letting the other side know about it.
Reb Tuvyah listened as the bachur described his medical issue, but Reb Tuvyah wasn't certain that the issue was so crucial that it had to be told before continuing with the shidduch. He spoke with the boy's doctor to get more details, but after that conversation he still didnt have clarity. Reb Tuvya then spoke with the Rav of the community, but even after that conversation the issue remained unresolved. Reb Tuvyah sent a letter to his rebbe, Reb Eliyahu Dessler zt'l (who was living in Eretz Yisrael). Reb Eliyahu Dessler didnt give a direct answer either. Reb Tuvyah sent another letter to Reb Eliyahu Dessler with a request that he present the question to the Chazon Ish.
He received a telegram from Reb Eliyahu Dessler, which stated, "Better not to say
anything. Letter is on the way." (The telegram was written briefly, since each word cost money.)
When the letter arrived it read, "I went to the Chazon Ish, and asked him your
question. He said that its better not to tell the girl's family anything. But dont apply this to other situations..." Reb Eliyahu Dessler explained in the letter that every situation is different. For this particular bachur, the Chazon Ish ruled that he shouldnt tell his medical history, but there are situations when people should tell. Reb Eliyahu Dessler concluded the letter, "I can't explain to you in writing the details of when one should mention one's medical issues and when one shouldnt, and why this case is different than others. When I come to your city, I will explain the matter face to face."
Reb Tuvyah recalls that it never transpired, since the Chazon Ish was niftar that year (on the 15th of Cheshvan 5714) and Reb Dessler was niftar shortly after (24th Teves 5714). Unfortunately, he never heard the reason why this case was an exception.
Reb Tuvyah went to the bachur and told him that the Chazon Ish said not to tell
about his illness. The bachur replied, "Baruch Hashem, I have become totally cured. The illness I told you about has been healed entirely..."
Perhaps this is the reason the Chazon Ish said that he shouldnt say anything about his medical issues. The Chazon Ish davened for that bachur, and trusted that his tefillos will be accepted and the bachur would be well.
This story is a reminder of the power of tefillah. When we discuss the pursuit of
a shidduch, we must remember that tefillah is an integral part of the process.

Copied with permission from Machon Beer Emunah

Is it permissible to tie a shopping bag after placing a diaper inside?

When disposing of a diaper in a shopping bag, one may not tie the bag tightly even with a single tie, if the tightness would prevent the bag from opening on its own.
Similarly, when storing shopping bags for future use, it is common to roll the bags
and make a knot on each to keep the bags compact (similar to the knot made on
threads at the end of a threaded needle). This type of knot should not be made on Shabbos