Around two hundred years ago lived the great Tzaddik Rabbi Yissachar Dov Grand Rabbi of Radoshitz. He was a student of the Maggid of Koznitz. Until he became famous he lived in great poverty. Even so he spent all his time in the Beis Hamedrash learning Torah and Avodas Hashem.
One day someone walked into the Beis Hamedrash. It was an old friend of Reb Yissachar Dov, both students of the Maggid of Koznitz. The man told Reb Yissacher Dov, "I am marrying off my daughter and have no funds. Our Rebbi, the Maggid of Koznitz gave me a letter of recommendation and told me to go round and ask my friends and acquaintances to help me."
Reb Yissachar Dov wasn't very excited about closing his Gemarah. On top he was such a poor man he didn't think that he was the appropriate person to go around fundraising for such a cause. He told his friend, "Here everyone knows I am a pauper and if I go around everyone will give me a few pennies. Maybe go to one of the rich people in town. If he sees the Rebbi's letter he will give you a large donation, and if he asks some friends for help then they will give him decent donations."
The man wasn't offended. He shrugged his shoulders and said, "it seems that you weren't written on Hashem's paper." And with that the man walked out of the Beis Hamedrash.
Reb Yissacher Dov was stumped. What did his friend mean by him not being written on Hashem's paper? Who is written there? And why? And how does his friend know who is written on the paper?
He closed his Gemara, ran out of the Shul and chased after the man. When he finally caught up with him, he asked the man to explain the mysterious comment.
"Let me explain," said the man. "Our Rebbe gave me a letter of recommendation. I told him I have never raised funds in my life how can I face people, I am far too embarrassed. The Rebbe told me that wherever I go there will be people that will help me. They will have the merit helping you and you will have funds. I asked the Rebbe, who will be willing to go through such embarrassment to help me? The Rebbe replied and told me not to worry. On Hashem's paper it is written exactly who will help me and with how much. When I came here to town I was sure that there is no one worthier than my dear friend Reb Yissachar Dov to help me. But now that you declined, I didn't get angry, I understood that you weren't written on Hashem's list, that all. So now I am taking your advice and going to one of the local rich people in town."
Reb Yissacher Dov was shaking with awe. He asked his friend how much money he needs? The man replied that he needs four hundred gold coins.
"Give me the Rebbe's letter and I will try my luck."
By Rabbi Dovid Caro
Reb Yissachar Dov went to the market and showed the Rebbe's letter to a merchant. The man replied, "your good luck, I just finished a good deal, here take two hundred rubles Tzeddaka from the deal."
Reb Yissachar Dov was so excited to see the turn of events and within a short time he managed to raise the large sum of money.
Reb Yissachar Dov said, "it looks like I WAS on Hashem's paper, and I nearly lost the opportunity!"
Eliezer, the servant of Avraham Avinu went looking for a wife for Yitzchak. He came to the well and prayed, "Hashem, the G-d of my master Avraham, make it happen for me today, that I find a wife for Yitzchak."
The Ohr Hachaim Hakodesh explains that Eliezer knew that Hashem would help Avraham and that Yitzchak would find his appropriate spouse. His prayer was that it should happen to me, that I Eliezer should merit to be on Hashem's list and be the messenger to fulfill Avraham's wish.
This message applies to us all. Many times a friend or someone else needs help, needs a favor, is in need of financial help. They turn to us and we aren't always in the mood to help at the best. Let us remember that Hashem has already decided that person will be helped and exactly how. And if we decline then we weren't on Hashem's list, or maybe we can try our best and prove that we are on Hashem's list.
