Tearing Apart Harsh Decrees
When I was in Antwerp, a man came to me, weeping copiously as he told me the story of his daughter, who was growing older with no prospect of marriage in sight. As I observed the man’s bitter tears, I keenly felt that his broken heart could accomplish much on High in bringing about her shidduch. But because he insisted that I bless him, I added my blessing that in the merit of my fathers, she find her intended in the near future.
Not long afterward, the man joyously phoned me with the happy news that his daughter had become a kallah. I rejoiced with him, informing him that his hot tears on behalf of his daughter had brought about her salvation, not my blessing. Had he cried sooner, her deliverance would have come earlier.
Often, Hashem has something wonderful in store for His children. But He desires their prayers and therefore withholds it from them. It is only the power of prayer, combined with sincere tears, which can draw down the blessing that is waiting for him. Let us never slacken in our prayers.
