There was once a wealthy man who owned many fields but did not have animals with which to plow them. So, one market day, he took a bag of money and went off to purchase oxen.
Intending to Buy Oxen
On the way Eliyahu HaNavi stopped him and asked him where he was going. When he said he was going to buy oxen, Eliyahu told him that he should add that this was dependent on HaShem’s will; he should say, “im yirtze HaShem".
The prosperous landowner insisted that he already had the money in hand, and it was now all up to his own will. Eliyahu warned him, “If you don't say ‘im yirtze HaShem,’ you will not succeed.”
Before he reached the market place, his money mysteriously disappeared. This repeated itself several times; he would have the money with him; he would meet Eliyahu who disguised himself differently each time and would suggest that he say “im yirtze HaShem”; again, and again he would not listen – and the money would again get lost.
Finally Learning an Important Lesson
Finally, he realized this was all hashgacha peratis due to his incomplete belief in HaShem’s providence, and resolved that from that day on he would say “im yirtze HaShem” about whatever he desired to do.
The next time he was on his way to the market, he again met Eliyahu, but this time he said, “I'm on my way to buy oxen, im yirtze HaShem”. When Eliyahu heard that, he blessed him with success and sure enough the man got a good deal on his purchase. Then, as he was on his way home, the oxen suddenly ran off the path into the forest and stopped near a stone, where he found his lost money bags.
Reprinted from the Parshas Va’eira 5784 edition of The Weekly Farbrengen.
