Rav Fischel Schachter said that he was once taking a bag of garbage through his backyard to throw it away in in the garbage can, when for no apparent reason, the bottom of the bag ripped open, and garbage spilled all over his yard. He was frustrated, but he went to get a broom to clean it up.
When he came back with the broom, he saw that some animals had come out and were eating from the garbage that had spilled, and he realized that Hashem had wanted these animals to have Parnasah, and have what to eat that day. He waited for them to finish, and he then swept up the rest.
He went to get a hose to wash away the crumbs that were left, and when he came back, he saw that some bugs had come out and were eating from the crumbs, and he realized that Hashem wanted the bugs to have Parnasah, and this was their food. He waited until the bugs had finished, and he then sprayed the yard with water to wash it down a little from the mess.
He went to put the hose away, and when he came back, he saw some birds had come to drink from the water he had sprayed, and he realized that Hashem wanted these birds to have water to drink. He then understood why his bag of garbage had to break open in the first place. It was so that Hashem could provide for all of His creations!
Reprinted from the Parshas Mattos-Masei 5785 email of Rabbi Yehuda Winzelberg’s Torah U’Tefilah.
