I ordered a milichig meal for my friends and myself. Then an avreich came over to me with his entire family, seven children in all, and asked me, “Can I ask you an atypical question?”
I was curious. “What’s the question?”
He was a bit embarrassed, I could tell, and then he said, “We promised the children that we’d buy them something yummy, but I did not imagine it would cost this much. I ordered portions for everyone, and I’m missing two portions for two children.” He didn’t continue. I saw it was difficult for him, and I understood exactly what he wanted. I thought to myself, Why should I cover the cost of two portions?! What does this story have to do with me?! I’m not some wealthy man who easily throws out dozens of shekels for a portion for someone else. But, I told myself, this was tzedakah. I took out a respectable sum and handed it to him. The avreich was very happy and thanked me with all his heart, and I was happy that I had done a mitzvah.
Twenty minutes later, as my friend and I were leaving, we passed a low barricade that we had to bend in order to get through. Something about my movement was a bit clumsy, and I lost my balance and fell.
It was the type of fall that could land one up in the hospital needing surgery. I was really scared. I’m not young, and at my age such a fall could be really dangerous. I called my friend to help me, and he stretched out his hand and used all his strength to assist me in getting up. And there I was – standing, then walking, and I discovered that nothing had happened to me! A serious fall resulted in no harm at all!
I am certain that the zechus of the tzedakah I gave, which was beyond my comfort zone, is what stood by me and saved me.
