The Power of Mizor L’Sodah (A Psalm of Thanksgiving)
Rav Gamliel Rabinowitz shared a story that was submitted to Tiv HaHashgacha: On my way from Yerushalayim to Beit Shemesh, a friend gave me a ride to the outskirts of the city. From there, I planned to take the Mehadrin line to Beit Shemesh.
However, I noticed that there were three boys already standing at the stop, and I realized that the Mehadrin line was not coming any time soon. I asked them what they were going to do, and they replied, that they would say Mizmor L’Sodah and rely and have faith that Hashem would provide a ride to take them home.
There Was Not One Time When They Did Not See Salvation
I raised my eyebrows, and I asked them where this trust came from? They calmly replied that this was their way, to say Mizmor L’Sodah before they needed help, and once again when leaving their ride, and there was not one time when they did not see salvation.
They began to say Mizmor L’Sodah and I observed from the side. It seemed a little strange, but I waited to see what would happen. Not five minutes passed, and an empty taxi stopped by and invited us to ride with him. The driver, when he heard where we wanted to go, offered us a very cheap rate because of the late hour, and also because he had no other passengers. I was happy to take this offer and I told the group that this was a really good price.
Hashem’s Help Would Come Without Having to Pay Any Money
But they disagreed and said that Hashem’s help would come without having to pay any money. My curiosity was aroused, and I waited to see what would happen. About four minutes later, a large car stopped, and a man asked if any of us needed a ride to Beit Shemesh. He said that he was going to the exact neighborhood where these boys and I lived. We were all happy to accept the ride, and we got into the car and went on our way. Of course, the boys had already said Mizmor L’Sodah an additional time, but I was still curious how all this came about.
I asked the driver where he was coming from. The driver said he was coming from a Simchah at Zevil Hall. I wondered and asked why he did not take Highway 9, which was shorter and faster.
The driver smiled and said that he really intended to take Highway 9, but suddenly, he thought that perhaps at this late hour there might be people looking for a ride, and since it was only a few minutes out of the way, he decided to go the longer way and see if he could help anyone. He added that his hunch was correct, because we were all waiting and hoping to get a ride.
When I asked him when he left Zevil, it turns out it was at the precise moment when the boys began saying Mizmor L’Sodah! Had I not witnessed this whole incident, I would have found it very hard to believe, but now it was obvious about the power of giving thanks to Hashem. I decided to publicize this story so that people will learn from it and rejoice at this amazing Segulah!
Reprinted from the Parshas Shelach 5784 email of Rabbi Yehuda Winzelberg’s Torah U’Tefilah.
