I have no interest in smashing cars. I am generally a very gentle bachur; never in my life have I done such a wild prank. Who knew how much damage I had actually caused! And obviously, I was obligated to pay; this could be considered criminal negligence.
I grabbed a pen and paper, wrote my name and a phone number where I could be reached, and wrote that I had damaged the car and would like to pay for the repair. I attached the note to the car, and with a heavy heart, I went up to learn in the yeshivah.
That afternoon, a tzaddik of a Yid called and told me, “I am the owner of the car you damaged. It’s a new car that I bought only two months ago. Come with me to the appraiser, and let’s hear the cost of the damage.”
I went with him, and I heard firsthand that the repair was liable to cost between 20- and 30 thousand shekels.
I am a young bachur. Where in the world would I find such a sum?! I was embarrassed to call my parents and ask for their help. What could I do?!
What does a Yid do? He turns to Hakadosh Baruch Hu. I asked His forgiveness for my reckless act, and after Minchah I tried to think what it was that Hashem wanted from me. Then I recalled that on the previous day I had collected tzedakah money for the Tomchei Torah fund, and I had taken 2 shekels and 10 agurot for my own personal use. I considered the facts, and with much shame I confessed and said told myself: I stole tzedakah money!
Hakadosh Baruch Hu in His great mercy aroused me to do teshuvah, and I would have to rectify my act.
I took a bit of money from the pocket money that I had, returned the stolen money, added a few shekels as a donation, and davened that Hashem would help me.
An hour and a half later, the owner of the car called and asked me to come with him to his office. When we got there he said, “Look, I thought about this story again. I see you are a good bachur who is learning well in an excellent yeshivah. If you had to collect money now – tens of thousands of shekels – you’d neglect your learning, and I don’t want that to happen, chalilah. I decided to forgive the debt for the damage you caused – but that is on condition that you publicize what happened in your yeshivah, and hang a sign with a picture of the smashed car, so that everyone will see what happens when you throw a heavy object out the window. Your friends should learn that we don’t throw things out the window, and in general, they should be careful not to get swept into acting irresponsibly.”
I did not know how to thank him. For the sake of the Torah of a bachur whom he didn’t even know, he had given up on tens of thousands of shekels! I have tremendous hakaras hatov to him, and I thank Hakadosh Baruch Hu, Who put in his heart the thought to forgive me. I saw that this yeshuah came only after I examined my actions and did teshuvah.
I learned the lesson well: not to touch money that is not mine! To be careful not to cause harm! Din prutah k’din me’ah, and ever since that day I have been very careful with my money, making sure not to take anything that doesn’t belong to me.
See how Hakadosh Baruch Hu helps those who do teshuvah!
