One of my family members needed an important examination by a specialist. The cost of the examination was 1,500 shekels, and my health insurance did not cover it. The askan who had sent me for the examination told me that they would have to speak with the person in charge of the health insurance’s budgeting, and to send a special request to the committee that approves nonstandard needs. “You’ll need go through the whole process,” he told me, “but even then, it’s not certain that they’ll reimburse you for the cost of the exam.”
Since the matter was very important and could not be pushed off, I couldn’t wait for the answer; I couldn’t have the examination be dependent on whether they would cover it or not. We set out with a checkbook and with tefillos to Hashem that everything would work out.
Since the doctor’s clinic is located on a street where the residents are, unfortunately, not shomer Shabbos, I took a taxi in order to guard my eyes. Although I do not have money in abundance, I placed my burden on Hashem, for traveling by taxi would enable me to carry out the mitzvah of “do not stray after your eyes.”
Indeed – wonder of wonders – the examination took place on a Friday, and on Sunday I was called to give a speech in a certain beis medrash, and the sum the gabba’im there paid me covered the cost of the taxi.
All this is only a prelude to the real story. The most meaningful part of the story is what happened at the clinic. Before I entered the doctor’s office with my relative, I went over to the water cooler there and poured myself a cup of water, reciting the brachah of Shehakol nihyah bidvaro with great kavanah. At that moment I had an amazing idea. The letters of the word shehakol could stand for Shalem, hechzer – ken? Lo? – Will the insurance pay back the money? Yes? Or no? and the answer: Nihiya bidvaro – Hakadosh Baruch Hu would decide. The entire matter was according to His Word and in His Hands alone.
After the examination I went over to the secretary, and after looking over our documents and checking the computer, she said, “You don’t have to pay.”
I have no idea what she saw there, but that was the fact: We did not have to pay for the examination. Why? I knew the answer in advance – because everything is done according to His Word!
This story really excited me. I felt that it is truly a zikui harabbim to publicize it, and I discussed it with a certain Yid, whom I asked to write it up properly and to send it in to one of the newspapers, so that the readers would get a bit of chizuk in emunah.
The Yid wrote it up, and I waited for the story to be publicized. However, after some time had elapsed, the story was still not published. I asked this Yid about it, and he told me, “I wrote it up and sent it in, and I have no idea why they didn’t put it in the paper.” The word “shehakol” actually stands for: Shelach, hachneis – ken? Lo? — Send it in, put it in – yes? Or no? Meaning, if you sent in a story, it doesn’t mean they’ll put it into the paper, because everything is in His Hands.
We were zocheh to hear this story and to print it here for you. At the exact time that was set from on High for it to be publicized.
