I am Yisrael Elyashiv from Ofakim. It is Elul, and we all want to accrue merits. We know that all things, whether major or minor, are going to be determined on Rosh Hashanah.
In our beis midrash they’re collecting money for air conditioners. An air conditioner in the beis midrash is a lot more than just an air conditioner. Quality air conditioning means quality learning, the ability to concentrate while davening, without deterrents such as heat and sweat. Air conditioning in a beis midrash is a means of preparation for all the spiritual bounty that abounds there. I wanted to take part in this. How much? I didn’t know yet. It was certainly on my mind, and I was trying to decide how much to donate.
Just two months ago we learned in Daf Yomi about Rabban Yochanan ben Zakai, who advised his relatives to give large sums to tzedakah, and at the year’s end they were saved from the huge fine levied by the king; they paid only six dinarim. Then Rabban Yochanan told them that on the night of Rosh Hashanah he had dreamed that it was decreed upon them to lose the amount of money the king demanded of them, and therefore he asked them to give this amount to tzedakah.
I thought to myself, We’re so close to Rosh Hashanah. It would be worthwhile to give a nice amount now for the air conditioning, on the account of the expenses that were decreed that I have this year.
I hadn’t spoken about this at home yet, hadn’t donated yet, and hadn’t yet reached a decision, but Hashem in His mercy arranged an amazing process for me. On Shabbos night, the air conditioner in my house turned off at the time that was set on the Shabbos clock, but in the morning it didn’t go back on.
I thought it was a one-time thing, maybe connected to a problem with the Shabbos clock. I didn’t think the air conditioner itself had failed, but on Motzaei Shabbos, when I disconnected the Shabbos clock and tried to turn on the air conditioner, it didn’t react.
I called some people in the know, and they all said it sounded like something in the air conditioner was irreparably broken. I called a few repairmen, and they all gave the same “psak”: You need to switch the circuit board inside the air conditioner, at a cost of about 800 shekels.
I realized this did not by happen by chance. There was a Heaven-sent message here. Since in shul they were campaigning for air conditioners, and in my heart I wanted to contribute, but I hadn’t decided how much, I was being rushed from on High to contribute my part. I immediately called the gabbai and told him, “I’m donating an air conditioner! Not part of one, but a whole one.”
I wasn’t surprised by the end of the story. I called another technician, and he asked me, “Did you try turning on the air-conditioner?” “Yes.” “Then you see there...,” and he explained exactly where I was to place my finger. “Press that button for a long time.” I pressed the button, and the miracle happened before my eyes: The air conditioner went back on as though nothing was wrong. The following Shabbos we enjoyed a cool, air-conditioned room, knowing that we had merited to receive a personal message from Hashem: One air conditioner for another.
