As I stepped out the door of the mikveh, the icy air let me know I hadn’t really dried myself off that well. But there was no time to dawdle. I had just enough time to make it to my shul in time for Shacharis.
But I was really chilled. Invite another cold? No way! I fished a tissue out of my pocket, tore off one corner, and stuffed it into my right ear. I did the same for my left ear. Baruch Hashem, it really helped.
Twenty minutes later, at shul, I recalled my “earplugs” and decided it was time to remove them.
Out came the white fluff from my right ear. But my left ear? It seemed glued in place. I tried yanking to one direction and then another, but nothing worked.
Why? I asked myself. What message is Hashem sending me? It doesn’t make sense! One ear yes, the other no?
There must be a message here. Nothing happens by chance! Then it occurred to me. Ears – listening – newscasts...maybe it’s that news hotline I listen to; it’s nominally kosher, but it talks only of members of the government and committee reports. They analyze politicians’ speeches no end.
There’s never a word of thanks to the Ribbono shel Olam for His nissim – even now, when they’re happening day after day! And what about announcements for future events? Do they ever say “b’ezras Hashem”’? No!
Maybe that’s what Hashem is warning me about, I thought. ”Okay, Hashem,” I said in my mind. “I undertake not to listen to it for such-and-such a period of time. ”Is that what You want me to do?“
I got my answer at once. Out slipped that bit of tissue, on the spot!
