A distinguished Yid once had the special opportunity of hosting the Arizal in his home, and he went to great lengths to show his appreciation and Kavod for the great Tzadik.
Just before the Arizal left, he thanked his host for all his kindness asked him, “What can I do for you? How can I repay you for your outstanding hospitality?”
The host replied, “When my wife and I got married, Baruch Hashem we were bentched with children. But then suddenly, for no apparent reason, we have stopped having children for many years. Can you please daven for us to have more children?”
The Arizal said to the host, “At one time, there was a ladder that was at the side of your house, and the chickens would use it to reach the water bucket that was on the shelf near the top of the ladder. One day, your wife instructed the maid to remove the ladder.
“Certainly, her intention was not to cause any pain for the chickens, but, inadvertently, this is what happened. The chickens couldn’t reach the water anymore. As a result of this, the chickens have been unhappy. Hashem has compassion for all of His creations, as we say in Ashrei, Hashem is good to everyone, and has mercy on all of His creations.
“Hashem sees the distress of these chickens. If you can correct this, Hashem will answer your Tefilos and you will be Bentched again with a child. The man immediately returned the ladder to its original place, and shortly after, the couple was Bentched with a child!
Reprinted from the Parshas Chayei Sarah 5786 email of Rabbi Yehuda Winzelberg’s Torah U’ Tefilah.
