A Jew under the burden of a serious problem came to the Baal Shem Tov, seeking relief and aid. He burst into tears and begged the Baal Shem Tov to help him through his mighty prayers. Was it a matter of health? Offspring? Money? We don't know.
What everyone does know is the extraordinary love and dedication the Baal Shem Tov maintained for every single Jew. He felt so bad for this suffering individual and was ready to do everything in his power to relieve his plight, but with his spiritual vision he could already see that there was nothing he personally could do to help him.
The Baal Shem Tov went over to his book shelf and pulled out a volume of Talmud. It was the tractate called Baba Batra. He leafed through it and his eye caught a passage at the bottom of page 15b, "'Everyone who received a coin from Iyov (Job), became blessed' - because Iyov was successful in tzedakah, in his charity-giving."
He realized that if he was drawn to this particular passage, it was no coincidence. Rather, it was divine intervention. Somehow this was the key by which this Jew in dire need could be saved. He pondered deeply. What was the message here? Finally, he thought he truly realized Heaven's intention. He recalled:
In the town of Brody lived a Jew named Shabtai Meir, a man who knew how to study Torah and donated generously to worthy causes. In the merit of his always giving altruistically and with a good heart, G-d had blessed him with great wealth.
He, in turn, prayed to The Holy One for "success in tzedakah." This too was granted him. None of the tzedakah he distributed went to undeserving hands [the first interpretation in that same tractate, folio 9b], and anyone who received any sort of contribution from him had good things happen to them. Indeed, his requests of G-d were always fulfilled.
Not that he ever asked for anything for himself. He didn't alter his personal lifestyle at all, and his house was still the same as it was.
Really, the only recognizable change was the increasingly large sums he utilized for tzedakah. Even here, significant amounts were given anonymously, with neither the recipients nor anyone else knowing the source of the gifts.
On occasion, this wealthy man would give away more than even he could afford. At such times he would pray that he merit increased success and increased tzedakah. To these prayers G-d would always respond, and so Shabtai Meir became even richer. Also, the Heavenly Court ruled that he was worthy for G-d to fulfill his request to always be successful in tzedakah.
When the Baal Shem Tov thought upon this special individual, he immediately understood why Heaven had put it into his mind to take out a volume of Talmud, and why he had been guided to that particular tractate and passage. It was all so he would recall to mind Shabtai Meir of Brody!
The Baal Shem Tov was well-aware of the Heavenly Court's decree concerning R. Shabtai Meir and his 'success in tzedakah.' Perhaps he could be an instrument of salvation for the unfortunate Jew who was so desperately seeking help.
The Baal Shem Tov turned back to the man in front of him, who by now was becoming somewhat uncomfortable at the Baal Shem Tov's prolonged silence. The Baal Shem Tov told him to travel to Brody, and there to look up a man called Shabtai Meir. "This Shabtai Meir," the Baal Shem Tov explained, "has a great reputation for hospitality, and surely will invite you for Shabbat. You should accept, and after Shabbat, when the time comes for you to depart from Brody, thank him appropriately for his hospitality and ask him to give you a blessing for Heavenly salvation in the merit of his great accomplishments in tzedakah."
The Jew went to Brody and spent Shabbat as one of the many guests of Shabtai Meir. He was deeply impressed by his host, who served each of his guests generously from the best that he had. On Sunday, when he went to take leave of his host, he requested his blessing in the way the Baal Shem Tov had instructed. R. Shabtai Meir blessed him fervently with all his heart.
It worked.
Although the Baal Shem Tov with all his powers couldn't help this Jew directly, R. Shabtai Meir was able to save him through the merit of his many deeds of kindness.
Translated-adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from Ahavat Yisrael (based on a letter from the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, R. Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn). Rabbi Tilles of Tsfat, is a co-founder of ASCENT. His email list for stories is in its 27th year. To join the list a/o his WhatsApp group for Saturday night Audio, Video and Zoom stories, go to AscentOfSafed.com or WhatsApp +972-526-770-137.
