The venerated mashgiach Rav Don Segal has instructed that donors be offered full refunds after learning that fundraising advertisements attributed personal promises of salvation to him without his approval.

The controversy arose after an organization that raises funds to build and renovate mikvaos published advertisements in the United States claiming that contributors would receive specific blessings and yeshuos based on assurances made by Rav Segal.

When the mashgiach became aware of the campaign, he immediately directed that anyone who donated because they believed he had personally guaranteed them a yeshuah should be permitted to receive their money back.

Rav Segal subsequently issued a public letter clarifying that any blessings experienced by donors come solely through the tremendous mitzvah of supporting mikvaos, not because of any personal power or guarantee on his part.

In the letter, Rav Segal praised the organization’s work, writing that it “builds, establishes, renovates, and prepares hundreds of mikvaos throughout Eretz Yisroel, in places where they are literally preserving the spiritual future of the generation through the purity of the Jewish people and the sanctity of Klal Yisroel.”

He noted that, beyond construction, the organization also provides ongoing supervision to ensure that the mikvaos remain fully kosher.

“As is well known,” he wrote, “neglect causes deterioration, and without constant repairs and maintenance, water levels decline and numerous deficiencies can develop that directly affect the validity of the immersion.”

Rav Segal emphasized that this extensive work, carried out across the country with thousands of people involved, requires enormous financial resources and is supported solely through the generosity of donors.

“Hashem has granted us until now that everything has been conducted with complete honesty and integrity,” he wrote.

The mashgiach then addressed the advertisements directly.

“I now come to address the fact that, through an error, it was publicized as though in my name I faithfully promise that anyone who donates a certain amount will merit the blessing and salvation that he needs. This is false and baseless. I am neither worthy nor fitting to make such promises—not in the slightest. The purity of the Jewish people and the sanctity of the nation cannot be built through falsehood.”

At the same time, Rav Segal stressed that supporting mikvaos is indeed an extraordinarily great mitzvah.

“Certainly, this mitzvah is exceedingly great. All those who assist will receive abundant reward from Heaven and will merit goodness and great blessing from Hashem. Through Hashem’s kindness, we have witnessed salvations beyond the natural order, and we bless and pray for all those who support this cause that the pleasantness of Hashem rest upon them always and that He establish the work of their hands.”

However, Rav Segal concluded his letter with an unusual request.

“But anyone who donated because he believed that his salvation would come as a result of my promise or anything similar, I ask him with all my heart to come immediately and have his money returned, for this is not what Hashem desires.”

{Matzav.com}