I went home from yeshiva happy, looking for Ima to say hello. I found Ima in a corner of the house, her arms wrapped around herself and her face hidden in her palms. Tears were flowing, and she was sobbing from crying as if her world had collapsed. I was frightened and I asked her what happened? But because of her crying, she was unable to answer me. I tried repeatedly until she finally opened up to me. Today they let her go at work and how would she feed the little one?! Ima was the sole provider for the family since Abba was taken to the True World when I was five. She lost her income and she cried.
I called a family friend who was an accountant. I asked him how much money was due my mother after working for 25 years? He wanted to know what happened and he wanted the details. After calculating, he said it was close to half a million shekel.
Smiling from ear to ear, I went to my mother, and I told her we are going out. My mother replied: “Can’t you see I am crying? Let me cry in silence!!!” I was only 14 then, but I was sure I had the solution to the problem, I told her, “Let’s go buy a house.”
I left her no choice, and while the tears were still on her cheek, we walked to the bus stop. We got on the first bus and switched to a bus going to the neighborhood I wanted. We looked for someone selling a house, we found one for the exact amount of the benefit, we signed a note dependent on the benefit, and we were already given the keys. Two days later our apartment was already rented out to new tenants. The rental money she received covered the expenses only now she did not have to go to work. Three days later, her old job called her asking her to come back as they could not find anyone to replace her. Mother agreed on condition they give her the benefits, they agreed as long as she returned to work. She went back to the job she loved but now her salary doubled, she received her benefits and a rental fee.
This happened about 20 years ago. Looking back, I thought about how many hashgachos were in this story. True, I was young, but when you grow up without a father, you take on the responsibility and Hashem knows to take care of your needs. The tears of orphans and widows reach the Throne of Glory, and if you ask, what does a 14-year-old boy know about real estate, the truth is, not much. But just the night before, I was learning with a young man who told me about a house for sale in a neighborhood that was affordable, so we went there. From this young man I learned the prices and how to buy and rent, Hashem had sent him to me.
Now I must publicize it and thank Him.
ב.מ.
