There was once a very good family, who were righteous and upright people with healthy and successful children—a household blessed by Hashem. However, their financial situation was extremely dire. Despite their many efforts to earn a livelihood, none of their ventures bore fruit. Fortune seemed to turn away from them, and they lived constantly in poverty, struggling to make do with what little they had.
Over time, they learned of a wealthy relative who also resided on the other side of the city. Being a person of great means, he might be able to assist them and offer support to alleviate their hardship.
One day, the impoverished man encountered his wealthy relative after Maariv at a local shul. They greeted each other warmly and spoke pleasantly, as relatives naturally do. When the wealthy man inquired about the family’s financial situation, the poor man did not hide his struggles. He sighed deeply and shared the difficulties of providing for his household, barely managing to sustain his family with the meager resources he had. He asked his wealthy relative if he might offer some support, having heard from others that the man had generously assisted many in the past. After all, charity begins at home and with one’s own family.
”Certainly!” the wealthy man replied enthusiastically. ”I had no idea your situation was so difficult. You never told me! Please come to my office tomorrow at 7p.m., after work. I will make arrangements to provide you with substantial support that will bring relief to your household, Hashem willing.”
The following day, the wealthy man finished his work, tidied his office, and prepared to meet his beloved relative. He took out his checkbook and waited for his guest so he could give him a generous donation. However, the man did not show up. The benefactor assumed he might be delayed and waited patiently for a long time. But as the hours passed and his relative did not arrive, the wealthy man returned home.
Sometime later, the two met again at the shul. Once again, the impoverished man lamented his dire circumstances. The wealthy man said, ”Didn’t we arrange for you to meet me at my office? I had everything ready for you! Why didn’t you come?”
The poor man apologized, explaining that he hadn’t been able to make it due to the late hour, and asked if they could arrange a meeting earlier.
The wealthy man, in his great kindness, agreed. He pulled out his planner, checked his schedule, and found an earlier time when he could meet with his relative at the office to provide support.
But once again, the man failed to appear for the meeting. The benefactor waited for a long time but was once more disappointed.
A while later, they met again. As was his habit, the poor man asked if the wealthy man could still assist him, reminding him of his ongoing struggles.
”I waited a very long time for you,” the benefactor said, bewildered. ”Why didn’t you come to receive the support I prepared for you?”
Again, the poor man apologized, explaining that the office was too far from his home and making the journey difficult. ”Perhaps we could meet somewhere closer,” he suggested.
The wealthy man graciously agreed. “If that’s the case,” he said, ”please come to my home during the lunch break tomorrow. It’s much closer to you. I will give you a respectable donation there so you can support your family with dignity.”
The next day, the wealthy man returned home for his short lunch break, having made special arrangements to meet his relative and help him. He eagerly waited, confident that this time the man would come. The time was convenient, and the location was close. Yet once again, the impoverished man did not show up.
This pattern repeated itself several more times. Eventually, the benefactor realized that his efforts were in vain.
The next time they met, and the impoverished man began complaining about his financial struggles, the wealthy man lost patience. ”Please don’t waste my time anymore,” he said. ”I have tried repeatedly to help you, but you never show up to receive the support. Why do you continue to complain to me?”
This parable reflects our own spiritual reality. During the month of Elul and Tishrei, we are granted auspicious times from Heaven—times of Divine favor when abundant blessings flow forth. The days of Selichos and the Ten Days of Repentance are exalted, holy times. Tishrei is known as the Yerach HaEisanim, ”Month of Mighty Ones.” Anyone who wants may approach the Shechinah to receive spiritual and physical blessings. As the prophet declares (Yeshayah 55:6),
Seek Hashem while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.
We, too, yearn to see and be seen, as we say daily during Selichos: “Like the poor and needy, we knock on Your doors; we knock on Your doors, Merciful and Gracious One; please do not turn us away empty-handed from before You!”
Hashem, in His infinite mercy, responds to us and gives for us these special times of favor and grace—Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the joyous festival of Sukkos, when He draws close to us in the holy sukkah, the dwelling place of the Shechinah, to receive us with joy. Yet how great is His sorrow and disappointment when we fail to utilize these precious times for spiritual elevation and to approach Him! We are like the poor man in the parable who repeatedly missed the appointments arranged for his benefit, leaving his needs unmet. After these sacred times pass, one can only lament, ”Alas, for what has been lost!”
Let us, therefore, take full advantage of this exalted month and its opportunities. Let us ascend the mountain of Hashem, stand in His holy place, and merit the fulfillment of all our heartfelt wishes for good and blessing.
