I GOT BACK MY BITOCHON
Rav Sholom Shwadron used to tell the following story: The Mashgiach, Rav Chatzkel Levenstein, was known always to walk around with a serious expression on his face that reflected his awe and reverence – Yiras HaRomemus – that permeated his very being and all his 248 limbs and 365 sinews. Once, one of his talmidim was extremely surprised to walk in and find the Mashgiach smiling broadly – a rare sight indeed. The talmid queried the Mashgiach as to the source of his smile and Rav Chatzkel responded:
“When I used to be the Mashgiach in the Mir Yeshiva I almost never received my monthly salary on time (because of the Yeshiva’s dire financial means or lack thereof). I trusted instead in Hashem and had bitochon that He alone would see to my parnossa from other sources. When I took up the position as Mashgiach in Ponovezh I began to receive my monthly salary on time and unfortunately I lost this level of bitochon in Hashem that I had regarding my parnossa. But now – Chasdei Hashem (thank G-d) – it is some eight months that I haven’t been paid (due to the Yeshiva’s staggering debts) and I now have my bitochon back in Hashem that He will send me my parnossa in another way, and this is why I am so happy and overjoyed! (Otzros Rabbeinu Yechezkel, p. 54–55)
