For the purpose of purchasing an apartment in a rare opportunity, I sold the car in order to add to the initial funding. All this was after I turned to a lawyer to check that everything was in order, and after I hired the services of a mortgage advisor who began obtaining what was needed for the financing of the apartment.
With joy and excitement, I thanked Hashem for the good deal He brought to my hands. The next day, I received a phone call from the broker that the deal was off the table. I called the owner of the apartment, who said that it had nothing to do with him, but with his wife, and he does not intervene in the matter. I called the woman, and she responded sharply that this is the situation, and the apartment is not for sale. I explained to her that I had sold the car quickly for thousands of shekels below market price, and I hired the services of the mortgage advisor who already received payment and will not return my money, because he had already done the work. But she held her position: “I did not tell you to hire a mortgage advisor, and I did not tell you to sell your car. That is your problem, and I am not selling!!!” And at that point she slammed the receiver.
There is no need to explain what a terrible feeling that was — beyond the excitement over finding the apartment that was now lost, there was disregard and financial loss. I poured my frustration out before the Creator of the world. As someone who is careful to study Shaar HaBitachon daily, I tried to bless over the bad just as over the good and to repeat to myself that everything is for the best, and indeed I merited to thank Hashem calmly and with understanding that everything is for the best. But still, deep in my heart, I very much wanted to know — what good was there here?!
A week after the incident, I turned to another broker in the area to search for a different apartment. In passing, I shared with him about the apartment I had almost purchased. When the broker heard the location of the apartment, he became emotional and said, “Blessed is the One who saved you from that apartment!!!” When I asked why he was saying that Hashem saved me, he replied: “That is the worst area in this city. The ground is sinking, and the surrounding buildings are being evacuated because of the sinking. Go and look — the neighboring buildings are empty of people and entry is forbidden!!!”
Then I understood the kindness that the Creator of the world had done with me when He broke the deal in order to save me from that apartment. It is true that I lost a few shekels, but one must always remember — even in difficult moments — that everything Hashem does, He does for our good, with calculations that only He, may He be blessed, knows and performs.
ל.ח.
