I own a car, and I like to help. I’m sure you’ll agree that this is a winning combination that anyone would be happy to find. I noticed that many times there are cars stuck at the side of the road in need of help, and I got hold of two batteries to charge cars that need it.
One day I came across a delivery truck that was stuck. This type of vehicle needs a stronger jump than a regular car, and it was doubtful that my batteries could get him started. Nonetheless, I went over to see what happened, because I can’t see a Yid in trouble without at least trying to help him.
I discovered that the driver had no idea what to do. I connected my booster cables to his engine, but with no result. I connected the second battery as well, but still it would not start. I told the driver, “Sometimes it takes time before the car responds to power from an external source. Let’s wait a bit. Hashem can do anything.”
We waited a long time, and in the meantime we strengthened ourselves in emunah. I told the irreligious driver stories of hashgachah pratis, and together we hoped for Hashem’s salvation. When an hour had passed, I understood that, logically, there was no further point in waiting. I thought to myself, What else can I possibly do that I haven’t yet done? I went to my car and looked around inside, and I discovered candies.
I told the driver, “You know what? Take a candy, make a berachah Shehakol nihyeh bidvaro out loud, and I’ll answer amen.” After the words of emunah we had spoken, this was not an untenable idea. The man took me seriously and made the berachah, and I responded amen.
Ten seconds later, a young avreich stopped his car and asked how he could help out. I showed him the starters, which hadn’t helped at all, and he said, “I have a starter in my car. Let’s try mine.”
He took out his battery and connected it, and within a minute everything was working.
It was amazing that it happened just seconds after “Shehakol.”
“It was worth getting stuck here for so long in order to see the power of one berachah,” the driver told me.
I did not need anything more. That moving sentence was worth more to me than any thanks. I had received full compensation.
