For many years I would fly to the United States for the Yamim Noraim to be a chazzan in a shul in one of the communities.
Two years ago, we had a baby close to the holidays and it was not doable to fly, so I found them a replacement chazzan so that the congregation should not lose out and I also thought that I would reserve my place with the community. I sent my friend in my place, and I was sure that my friend would give it back to me the next year.
But when the time came and I spoke to the congregation in order to make reservations. To my surprise, the gabbai explained to me that they had already reserved my friend that I sent the previous year, he also explained that he took less than I did and he worked harder to make himself likeable by the congregation.
I went to that friend and asked how he could do this and take my livelihood, and he simply replied, “This is how it is in the workplace, he who succeeds takes!!!”
I was so speechless from his response that I did not even get angry, the mind could not grasp his thinking, of course I had time to work on my midos, and I accepted with love that everything that Hashem did was calculated and precise, and no one could touch what was meant for me...
Two weeks later I received an invitation to an amazing congregation whose chazzan could no longer take the position and they had heard about me. This was a congregation of Bnei Torah who wanted a yeshivish davening unlike the congregation of baalei batim, where one of them would stand behind me breathing down my neck, and woe to me if I took a little too long because I was emotional. This congregation paid more than the other one, and I give thanks to Hashem for the kindness bestowed upon me for the extra money. Also, it is a wealthy community and they donated to an organization I maintain for struggling youth. Two donors paid all the expenses for an entire year, and I used the extra money for other things.
I saved the sweetest thing for last: That friend suddenly came to me and asked if I could find a place for him in America. I asked him what happened to the community that took me, he told me that the congregation dispersed and they have no minyan, and everyone went to another shul... [of course it took me time so as not to rejoice at his downfall...]
Just thank Hashem and do not get angry, for everything is truly for good and blessing!!!
י.א.
