A man named Chaim lived in Montreal, Canada. Chaim was facing great financial difficulty, and after much consideration, in 1995 he decided to move to an unknown part of Canada, where he thought opportunities would be better financially for him and his family. When the Tosher Rebbe, Rabbi Meshulam Feivish Segal-Lowy, heard about his acquaintance Chaim's intentions, he tried to understand his reasons for making such a drastic decision.
The Tosher Rebbe, who was known for his great compassion toward his fellow Jews, inquired about basic Jewish resources in this new location, such as a reliable minyan, a mikvah, and a cheder (Torah school for children). Regrettably, Chaim admitted that these essential aspects of Jewish life were not going to be available in his new town.
The Rebbe was bothered by this, and he tried to ascertain what he felt was the deeper reason Chaim had that was motivating his life-changing decision. With honesty and openness, Chaim confessed to the Rebbe about a heart-breaking incident that had destroyed his faith and trust in G-D and significantly affected his circumstances in life.
During a business trip to Antwerp, he was traveling with a substantial amount of money to close a cash deal already agreed upon that would yield him a hefty profit. Tragically, however, it never came to be; his money stash 'disappeared' at the airport. He searched everywhere but the pouch was nowhere to be found. Clearly, it had been stolen somehow, and it left him poverty-stricken. Overwhelmed by despair, he returned to Montreal burdened by the weight of his financial troubles.
The Tosher Rebbe was moved by Chaim's story, yet still continued his efforts to persuade Chaim from leaving. He also offered to assist him with his financial struggles, but Chaim was determined to relocate and start again, no matter what the Rebbe said or offered. Reluctantly, the Rebbe stood back as Chaim prepared to depart.
The next day, a stranger approached Chaim in the street. For some reason, this stranger seemed somewhat familiar, and Chaim said to him, "Do I know you from somewhere? You look familiar."
Chaim's heart fluttered when the stranger responded. "I have carried a burden of guilt ever since that day at the airport," the stranger confessed. Chaim was shocked. The man continued, "I couldn't live in peace knowing that I had taken your money. It has bothered me every day since then. Here, please accept it back." And with that, the stranger handed Chaim the exact sum of money that had been stolen years earlier!
Chaim was overwhelmed by disbelief and gratitude, and it made a profound impact on him. He abandoned his plan to move away, and Montreal once again became his home where he and his family continued to grow and thrive.
Twenty years later, the sad news spread that the Tosher Rebbe had passed away. At the funeral, as the people gathered around the Rebbe's gravesite, Chaim saw the stranger once again. Chaim remarked, "I suppose this is our third time meeting."
However, the stranger smilingly corrected him and said, "No, it's not our third; it is only our second encounter! The truth is that although I told you I stole your money, I actually did not take it. The Tosher Rebbe felt terrible that you were ready to abandon living a Jewish lifestyle, and in his holiness, he gave me this money and asked me to return it to you, in a manner as if I was the one who stole it."
Tears flowed from Chaim's eyes as he realized the depth of the Tosher Rebbe's wisdom, and his extraordinary act of love!
Reprinted from an email of Torah U' Tefilah.
