Fishmonger or Torah Scholar?
There was a very special young man that lived in Berditchov. He spent his day immersed in prayer and Torah study in the Beis Hamedrash. As his family grew he realized that he wouldn't be able to continue his present lifestyle but would have to provide some source of income.
He spent time thinking what he could do to earn a living. He decided to buy wholesale a barrel of herring fish and then went to the market place to sell them as single fish and thus earn a meager income. It wasn't a great business but at least his wife and children wouldn't starve.
Chose to Daven in the Shul of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev
When Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur arrived, he went to daven in the Shul of the famous Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchov. He was so glad to be able to spend a few days completely immersed in prayer again. The tears flowed down his face as he poured out his heart to Hashem how difficult it was for him being unable to spend his day in the Beis Hamedrash as in the past.
Instead of study the words of Abaye and Rava, the Rashi and Tosfos, the Ramban and the Rashba instead he was busy selling herring. His memories of those elevating times aroused his emotions and tears. He begged Hashem to allow him to once again be able spend his day in Torah and prayer.
Waiting to Hear What the Great Rebbi Wanted
After Yom Kippur he received a message. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchov wants to speak to him. He entered the Rabbis study waiting to hear what the great Rebbi wanted.
The Rebbi said, "I want you to know that your prayers caused a great uproar in Heaven. On the night of Yom Kippur, you cried to Hashem pouring out your heart how you can't spend your day in the Beis Hamedrash studying. You prayed that Hashem should give you 120 gold coins and that would suffice you for a whole year to sit and study.
After a night’s sleep and thinking it over you changed your mind. You decided that if you have such a large sum of money in one go, the Yetzer Hara will try and make you open a fish store instead of studying. So, you asked Hashem to give you 60 now and then 60 for Pesach. Then you decided that even that isn't a great idea so you asked Hashem to give you 10 gold coins per month so you would have enough each month. Then by Ne'ila prayer, you decided that the best would be if Hashem would give you 2 and a half coins each week to provide you and your family with enough food. My dear friend, your prayers caused a big uproar in Heaven."
"Yes," replied the young man, "that is exactly what I prayed on Yom Kippur."
"And what did they decide in Heaven," asked the young man?
"The answer was no," answered the Rebbi.
"But why?"
"Who said that is what Hashem wants from you? Who said Hashem appreciates more when you are in the Beis Hamedrash? Hashem decided that He wants you to work honestly for a living, sanctify Hashem's name by your behavior and honesty in business to everyone who meets you. And then when you come home tired at night, you force yourself to go to the local Shul and join a Shiur Torah even though you can barely keep your eyes open. You are a true model of what a working person should be. That's what Hashem wants from you.
Reprinted from the Parshas Shelach 5784 email of Inspired by a Story by Rabbi Dovid Caro.
