Spreading the Light

When my good friend Yitzchak was diagnosed, I was determined to be at his side, encourage him, and help in whatever way I could. As time went on, however, I realized that practically, there was very little I could do aside from davening for his recovery. He was busy with all sorts of tests and doctors' examinations at first, then with deciding on the best course of treatment. Finally, he flew from his home in Beitar to the United States for an extended period of time in order to receive treatment. I wanted so badly to bring a bit of light into this dark period in his life. I continued davening for him each day and kept him in my thoughts all the time.

One day, I picked up a new sefer on emunah and bitachon that had just come out. It was very well written and extremely practical. I read it and enjoyed it and immediately thought of Yitzchak. It would mean the world to him, I knew, if I sent him the sefer with a heartfelt note and perhaps a box of chocolates. The knowledge that people in Eretz Yisrael were davening for him and anticipating his recovery would definitely give him a lift. I hurried back to the store and bought another copy of the sefer, asking the store owner to giftwrap it. Back at home, I penned a beautiful note, carefully ensuring that every word would uplift and inspire Yitzchak.

That day, I had a single goal in mind: to find someone in Beitar who was traveling to the United States as soon as possible. I felt this urge to know that the sefer was in Yitzchak's hands and that I had done something big in the realm of bikur cholim for a dear Yid and close friend. I asked in shul and in kollel, and I made calls to people whom I knew occasionally traveled abroad. Finally, I hit the jackpot. But the circumstances were not too happy. Someone knew someone else in Beitar who was dealing with a diagnosis very similar to Yitzchak's and who'd completed the same round of examinations and decision-making. The patient was traveling to the United States for treatment the following morning. If I would bring the package to his home, he'd be happy to be the shaliach mitzvah and help me out.

I delivered the package, wished my courier a speedy recovery, and went home, satisfied. At 4 a.m. the next morning, my phone rang. It was a long-distance number, and I sprang out of bed and picked it up. It was the man who'd taken the package, and he sounded both apologetic and completely confused.

"Listen," I told me. "I just landed in New York. There was sup- posed to be someone here to pick me up. That's what the askan who is helping me said. Now I'm here and trying to call him and I can't get through. You know who he is," he continued, "the same one who is helping your friend Yizchak. Perhaps you have a way of reaching him?"

Now I was completely awake and alert. "I'll do what I can," I assured the man who needed a refuah and was all alone in a strange new country. Indeed, I had the askan's personal number, but knowing that he was no youngster, I decided to call one of his assistants. I dialed the number, and the man picked up on the first ring. I told him that the Yid from Beitar was waiting for the driver whom the askan had sent to pick him up.

"That driver is me!" the man responded. "I'm here in my car at the airport, and I can't find him and I don't have his number. It's a miracle you just called me."

I gave the driver the man's phone number, the two got in touch, and the man got his ride.

When I ended the call, the sun was rising over the mountains around Beitar. Hashem, Who is kulo chessed, and Whose miracles are with us every moment of our lives, was shining His magnificent Light upon His good world once again. I was overwhelmed with joy and emotion for the fact that I'd been able to bring my small bit of light into the world as well, to help this Yid in New York and spare him additional pain and worry. It is highly doubtful that he and the driver would have found each other otherwise.

And why did he have my number? Because he agreed to do me a favor and bring the sefer to Yitzchak! How wondrous are the ways of Hashem, and how true it is when we say that whenever a person does chessed for another, he's really doing it for himself.