It Is Good to Trust in Hashem:
Rav Moshe Chaim Rothenberg zt”l, the brother of the Chidushei Harim, was a wealthy and generous chasid. A poor man once approached him with a letter from the Kotzker Rebbe zy”a, which contained a request to generously help this man with the wedding expenses for his daughter.
Rav Moshe Chaim read the letter but he only gave the man one ruble and wished him well. The poor man was shocked by how small the donation was, and he said, “My travel expenses alone were much more than one ruble!”
But Rav Moshe Chaim would not give him any more money and, with no other choice, the man left his home with a broken spirit. As he walked out the door, he realized that he couldn’t rely on anyone other than Hashem to help him.
A few seconds later, he saw Rav Moshe Chaim’s attendant running after him. The attendant handed him a large amount of money, enough to cover all the wedding expenses. The poor man was now flabbergasted, and he decided that he had to go back and ask Rav Moshe Chaim for an explanation.
He knocked on his door and asked him, “Why did you first give me such a small donation and then such a large one? Did you change your mind about how much you wanted to give?”
Rav Moshe Chaim replied, “When you first came with the Rebbe’s letter, I could see that you were relying on me and that you thought I’d certainly give you the full amount you needed. It seemed like you had forgotten that there is a G-d who is the only One you should rely on. Therefore, I sent you away with very little so that you would remember that you should only trust in Hashem, and then I gave you the full donation.”
More in this printout
- Defeating the Yeitzer Hara With EmunahThe Ahavas Shalom explains how bitachon and emunah are the primary tools for overcoming the yeitzer hara and achieving victory in one's spiritual battles.
- Fighting for VengeanceThe Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh explains why the Torah prefaces the laws of Isha Yefas Toar by emphasizing that war must be fought solely for the sake of Hashem.
- Marriage as a Strategy Against the Yeitzer HaraExplore how the Sefer Toldos Yaakov Yosef views marriage as a practical strategy to combat the yeitzer hara by focusing one's energy on family and responsibilit
- The Son of the Hated Wife is Always the FirstbornThe Abarbanel explains why the firstborn son is often born to the less-loved wife, citing Hashem's mercy on the oppressed as seen in the story of Leah.
- Like Father Like SonThe Munkatcher Rebbe explains that children emulate their parents' actions over their words, emphasizing the importance of being a positive spiritual role model
- Unbecoming for an Old ManRav Akiva Eiger explains why the exemption for an elderly man's dignity applies to returning lost objects but never to showing kindness to one's own relatives.
- Every Jew Can be FixedThe Chasam Sofer explains that no Jew is beyond reach, teaching that we must draw others close and facilitate their return to Hashem regardless of their past.
- One Who Helps Others Helps HimselfRav Yitzchok of Vorka and the Sefas Emes explain how helping others through the mitzvah of hakim takim ultimately elevates the helper's own character and soul.
- The Enemy Becomes Like a BrotherRabenu Bechaya explains how the mitzvah of helping with a fallen donkey transforms an enemy into a brother by eradicating hatred through acts of kindness.
- A Proud Heart to Serve HashemRav Bunim of Peshischa explains how the word gedilim teaches us to serve Hashem with a proud, uplifted heart rather than feeling too small or humble.