By Rabbi David Ashear
One summer, a man from Israel came to collect tzedakah in Brooklyn. He was soon to get married, and he needed help raising funds in order to pay for the wedding expenses. The problem was the timing. Everyone was away, primarily either in New Jersey or in the Catskills. Especially with it being a Friday afternoon, the chances of coming out with a good amount of tzedakah was slim.
But the young man remained determined. “Is anyone going to either of these places and I can catch a ride?” Fortunately, someone was heading to the Catskills and agreed to take the fellow along.
No Room for Him to Stay
Only once they arrived in the Catskills did the man realize the layout. There were a bunch of bungalow colonies, and there’d be no room for him to stay. It was now only a couple hours before Shabbos, and that didn’t make it any easier. Where would he be for Shabbos? He knew no one and hadn’t arranged a place to stay ahead of time.
“They’re having a Shabbaton in that hotel there,” one of the locals told the man collecting. Thanking him, he began heading for the hotel, hopeful that he’d be able to make a reservation. But that idea fell through. “I’m sorry, but we’re completely booked,” said the hotel manager.
A Musician Noticed that the Man was Crying in the Lobby
At this point, the man had no place to stay and it was an hour before Shabbos. Sitting in the lobby and waiting the time out, he began crying. Until the musician who was scheduled to perform that Motzei Shabbos entered the lobby and took notice of the man. “Is everything alright?” After relaying his situation, the musician was quick to offer help. “You can be with me! I’m the only one in my room; why don’t you stay with me!” The fellow, of course, graciously accepted the offer.
Shabbos and the Shabbaton proceeded beautifully. At one point, in passing, the musician mentioned the name of the hotel owner’s, Mr. Yosef Weiss. As soon as the musician mentioned the name, the man from Israel perked up. “Mr. Weiss? I can’t believe it! Would it be possible to arrange for me to speak at Seudat Shelishit later today?” The musician couldn’t guarantee, but he said he’d try. Sure enough, he was able to get the man a few minutes to speak.
So, there he was, standing at Seudat Shelishit. “I’d like to share a store with you all,” he began.
His Name was Yosef Weiss
“I came here yesterday and I didn’t know where to go. I didn’t have any place to stay. And I ended up here. Twenty-five years ago, my father was standing at the Kotel crying when someone came up to him. ‘Is everything alright?’ asked the fellow. ‘Nothing is wrong,’ my father replied. ‘I’m crying tears of joy and gratitude. After ten years of marriage, my and I were finally blessed with a healthy child. I’m here to thank Hashem for this miracle.’ The man who heard this was very touched. ‘You inspired me,’ he said. ‘If you ever need anything in life, come to me, and I’ll help you.’ He then told my father his name—Yosef Weiss.
“Before I left Israel to come here, my father said to me, ‘I know Yosef Weiss once said he’s going to help me. He’s somewhere in America—I have no idea where—but if you need someone to help you, go to him.’ I thought to myself, ‘How in the world am I going to find Yosef Weiss?’ I came to Brooklyn, and I was directed to come here, to the Catskills. And lo and behold, who do I end up in front of? Yosef Weiss.’
That trip, Yosef Weiss went on to help the young man very generously from Israel. This is what it looks like for Hashem to control our footsteps and putting us in the places we need to be.
Reprinted from the Parashat Acharei Mot 5784 edition of Torahanytime Newsletter.
