No one wishes upon himself financial crisis. It’s a reality where, all at once, a family can be sucked out of their tranquil lives to a stormy sea of uncertainty, confusion and helplessness.
This letter describes the story of a person who was saved from financial crisis because of a kabbalah that he took upon himself regarding answering amen. The letter was sent to Bney Emunim by the person to whom the story happened, and we present it to you with slight adjustments to conceal identities.
I will begin by noting that for a number of years, I have been zocheh to read Vechol Ma’aminim each week, and it is wonderful and full of valuable messages. My children and I wait for it with anticipation.
I wanted to share with you a personal and very special siyata diShmaya that I merited following a kabbalah that I made to strengthen my answering of amen, which baruch Hashem, I have been able to adhere to.
I cannot describe to you the situation of a person with a large family who lived a relatively comfortable life, and then suddenly, in the middle of it all, finds himself poverty stricken and unable to support his family. My family was used to a pretty comfortable standard of living. We didn’t live a luxurious life, but I tried not to turn my children down when they asked for things. And when things changed, I couldn’t even provide them with the minimal basics. It was a very bitter burden to bear. I was not used to it at all, and it caused me terrible tension. I hardly ate, I slept fitfully, if at all. I experienced the words of Chazal (Nedarim 64b): “A poor person is considered to be dead.”
One day, after a difficult exchange with my family, which was part and parcel of this financial situation, I went to the Kosel to daven. I was broken to the depths of my heart, and I wept copiously. I felt like I had to take on something, but I wasn’t sure what would be the right thing. All kinds of ideas ran through my mind, and I couldn’t choose. I finally decided to say all of Sefer Tehillim, at the Kosel, and hoped that while I said it, a good idea would come to mind.
I began to read the perakim. Naturally, when the pesukim described situations of poverty and angst, I said them with more kavanah.
So when I reached the passuk (9:19): “Ki lo lanetzach yishakach evyon...” after lingering on the words, I noticed that the acronym of these words are numerically equivalent to ‘amen.’ As a loyal reader of your weekly pamphlet, the subject of answering amen has always been close to my heart. When I found this, I said to myself: I have an answer! I need to strengthen my answering of amen, and then my merits will be brought to HaKadosh Baruch Hu and I will not be forgotten.
I continued saying Tehillim emotionally. Towards the end, I received another clear answer. As I was saying the words (Tehillim 109:31): “Ki ya’amod l‘yemin evyon lehoshia...” I noticed that in this passuk as well, the acronym of the words is ‘amen’! Beforehand it had been “ki lo lanetzach yishakach evyon” and as soon as I took upon myself to strengthen my amen, I received the promise “ki ya’amod l’yemin evyon lehoshia.”
Now I understood without doubt! Form Above it was desired that I strengthen myself in amen! I decided to take upon myself to be strict about saying Birchos Hashachar bechavrusa, and to say amen at every opportunity. What can I tell you? On my way home from the Kosel, a childhood friend who I hadn’t spoken to in years called me. I answered and after a few polite words, he told me that he has a chain of stores and he is looking for a franchisee to open a branch in the city where I live.
When I told him I didn’t have a penny to invest, he reassured me that he would give me merchandise and I’d pay him when I sold it...So I opened such a store. My family and I worked there on shifts from morning to evening, and baruch Hashem, we have seen much success in our work, and we have brachah in our parnassah.
At the same time, I opened an amen business: All the brachos from Birchos Hashachar to Birchas Hamapil, are said out loud in our home, no matter what! A brachah is said only out loud!! A brachah without amen doesn’t exist in our realm! And I rise to go early to shul to answer amen after other mispallelim. Baruch Hashem, both my “businesses” are thriving together.
I thank you wholeheartedly for the tremendous awareness you have instilled on this subject. You have so many zechusim, and may Hashem give Rav Marmurstein and his family strength to continue with his lofty work.
With best wishes,
S.Y.
