by Rabbi Bentzion Grossman
To those who live in Jerusalem, Rabbi Eliezer Chaim Streicher is a familiar figure. Rabbi Streicher is known for his unwavering trust that G-d will come to his assistance when he is in need. Many stories are told about the salvation that came to him in the nick of time.
As a young man, Reb Eliezer Chaim learned in yeshiva, where he devoted himself to Torah study day and night. After he was married he began to search for a job, but could not find a suitable position.
After consulting with several friends, all of whom told him that it was easier to make a living in the United States, he decided to move to New York. The young couple relocated to the Borough Park section of Brooklyn, and Reb Eliezer Chaim found a job without difficulty. However, with every passing day, Reb Eliezer Chaim found that he had less time to devote to his beloved Torah studies and spiritual pursuits.
It became obvious to Reb Eliezer Chaim that he had to make a decision about where his life was going. He was hesitant to leave his job and return to full-time Torah study. And yet...
With these thoughts going through his mind, Reb Eliezer Chaim went to pray in a small shul that he did not usually frequent. He came across a book that spoke about the importance of trusting in G-d. A person who has trust, the author wrote, can be assured that G-d will never abandon him wherever he goes.
The book made a strong impression on Reb Eliezer Chaim, and he decided that from that day on he would rely on the beneficence of G-d. With his wife's approval, he left his job and began to study Torah full-time in a kollel-a yeshiva for married men. He faith and trust in G-d, that the Alm-ghty would provide him with his livelihood from another source, was unshakeable.
A few years passed and the Streichers decided to return to Israel where Reb Eliezer Chaim would continue to devote his life to Torah study. Indeed, G-d took care of the Streichers. Several friends helped them out and within a short time of their return to Israel the couple was settled in a furnished apartment in one of the religious neighborhoods of Jerusalem.
Years passed. Reb Eliezer Chaim found that he missed the insights and guidance of the Rosh HaKollel, dean of the kollel, in New York. He decided that he would travel to New York for a short while to see him. Again, G-d provided Reb Eliezer Chaim with the necessary air fare in the merit of his trust.
Before leaving, however, Reb Eliezer Chaim consulted with his wife, in accordance with the Talmud's instruction to obtain one's wife's permission before embarking on a journey. She agreed, but on one condition: that he buy clothing for their children when he was in Borough Park. They sat down and figured out how much it would cost: $600 would cover everything. Of course, Reb Eliezer Chaim had not a penny in his pocket when he set off, but he agreed to his wife's condition; G-d would somehow provide.
Weeks passed, during which Reb Eliezer Chaim was happily and dilligently studying in his former kollel in New York. In a few more days he was scheduled to return to Israel; the clothing for his children had been completely forgotten.
On the last day of his visit he suddenly recalled the promise he had made to his wife. There were only a few hours left before he would have to take a taxi to the airport. But what could he do? He still had no money; even if he had, he would have been hard pressed to fit a shopping spree in. Reb Eliezer Chaim put his trust in G-d and continued to learn.
When the door to the study hall opened suddenly Reb Eliezer Chaim looked up from his book. At that hour the study hall was empty, except for the man who was rapidly walking toward Reb Eliezer Chaim.
The stranger was smiling; from the way he was dressed it was obvious that he was a Lubavitcher chasid. The man came over and placed his arm on Reb Eliezer Chaim's shoulder. Reb Eliezer Chaim greeted him warmly and asked, "What can I do for you?"
"The Lubavitcher Rebbe gave me this envelope and told me to deliver it to the person I would find sitting and learning in this study hall." The man handed Reb Eliezer Chaim the envelope and left.
When Reb Eliezer Chaim opened the envelope a small cry escaped his lips. Inside were exactly $600.
Needless to say, Reb Eliezer Chaim made it to the airport on time, his suitcases bulging with the clothing for his children that his wife had indicated.
Years later, Reb Eliezer Chaim was still shocked by what had occurred. "Why are you so surprised?" I asked him when he told me the story. "Hadn't you seen with your own eyes time and time again how G-d came to your assistance whenever it was necessary?"
"Never mind that G-d knew about my problem and came to my aid," Reb Eliezer Chaim replied. "That I can understand. But how did the Lubavitcher Rebbe find out?"
From Beis Moshiach magazine.
