Even a Dog Is Divinely Directed
Mr. Gavriel Elbaz manages our institutions in Lyon, France. He was once in a predicament and did not know which way to turn. He was in dire need of Divine help to guide him. He asked Hashem to grant him the wisdom to know whether he should maintain his post as president of the institutions, or hand in his resignation, as his wife had requested, and devote himself, instead, to expanding his business.
He prayed fervently for Divine intervention and asked for a Heavenly sign indicating which path he should take.
Upon hearing of this, I rebuked him severely. “One doesn’t ask for Heavenly signs,” I said, “because if they do not materialize, one’s emunah is liable to falter.”
Mr. Elbaz replied, “The Rav is correct. When one does not receive the sign he requested, doubts in his faith are liable to surface. However, even if I do not receive the requested sign, I will continue believing in Hashem as before. But if I do receive a sign, my emunah will only be reinforced all the more. I will feel even more strongly connected to Hashem, and I will make even greater efforts to expand Torah institutions.”
Mr. Elbaz had a guard dog on his premises. He adored his dog. I told him, with a smile, “If your dog were to drop dead, would that be a Heavenly sign?”
“That my dog should die?” he asked, aghast. “That is illogical. My dog is young and healthy.”
“But what if it would die?” I persisted.
“If my dog were to drop dead right now,” Mr. Elbaz began decidedly, “it would be the greatest sign that Hashem is pleased with my work, and I should continue in it.”
Mr. Elbaz and I stood transfixed to our places as his dog playfully ran around us. Mr. Elbaz smiled to himself, wondering how his dog could suddenly die, out of the blue. Not a half-hour later, the dog lay dead at our feet.
Mr. Elbaz was filled with fear. I, too, was quite surprised, as I didn’t expect my words to have immediate effect. But Hashem wanted to teach us the lesson that He guides every aspect of Creation.
This incident became widely publicized and caused a great kiddush Hashem. Our faith in Hashem became strengthened. Until this day, Mr. Elbaz remains the active president of the Orot Chaim U’Moshe institutes in Lyon.
