A man told Rav Chaim Kanievsky ZT” L: “I own a large amusement-style park in Northern Israel that is very popular with tourists, families, and school groups. Recently, I became more religious, and decided to close the park on Shabbos. I feared that losing the income from the busiest day of the week, Saturday, would hurt the business terribly. Unfortunately, my fears were realized and I am now suffering tremendous losses. Rabbi, he concluded, I do not regret accepting to keep Shabbos, but I am asking for a bracha (blessing) that I should be able to save my business.”
Reb Chaim looked at him lovingly and answered with a smile on his holy face: “So it is when one does a good deed. Initially, the Yeitzer Harah fights us and tries to break our resolve. However, if you hold strong and continue keeping Shabbos, you will see that you will have tremendous bracha with your business.”
Months later, a relative of Reb Chaim visited the park with his family. The owner greeted them warmly and updated them: “When I came to the Rav, I was absorbing tremendous losses to the tune of hundreds of thousands shekalim. The temptation to reopen on Shabbos was immense, so I went to Reb Chaim for a bracha. His response pushed me to continue keeping Shabbos.
Today, my business is flourishing, with over 10,000 customers in the past few months. In fact, have jumped from 50th place to 3rd place on the list of amusement parks! I have no doubt that the credit goes to my keeping Shabbos, and to the bracha from Reb Chaim! I have also already convinced some friends to close their businesses on Shabbos!”
Reprinted from the Parshas Pinchas 5783 email of Torah Sweets.
