Calling for Divine Intervention
When I was visiting Chicago, I suddenly thought of my dear friend, Eliezer, who lives in New York. He is a most devoted friend. Whenever I would ask for various favors, he would always respond enthusiastically. He often sends me people in distress, so that I can try to help them out in the merit of my forefathers, zy”a.
As I thought now of my good friend, thoughts of death and a funeral also entered my mind. I immediately called my secretary, Chananya, and asked him to contact Eliezer, requesting that he make an immediate contribution to tzedakah for the poor of Eretz Yisrael.
Chananya hurried to do my bidding. At the other end of the line, he heard the strains of Kaddish and then Eliezer’s whispered voice, “Chananya, I cannot speak right now. I am in the cemetery, at a funeral.”
- With the Gabbai, HaGaon Rabbi Chananya Shushan
Chananya and I looked at each other in wonderment. We decided to put the matter on hold and phone Eliezer at a later time. Two hours later, I instructed Chananya to call Eliezer again. He turned to do as I asked. In the meantime, an elderly woman of about eighty walked into the office. She asked Chananya to help her fill out a form which she found difficult to understand.
In general, Chananya does not get involved in such things. But this time, he helped her fill in her family’s names. Then she entered my office, to ask that I bless her family.
Chananya got through to Eliezer and walked into my room with the phone. I told him to order Eliezer to have all of the mezuzot in his house checked. I suddenly noticed the woman patiently waiting for my blessing. Among the names on her list, was that of Eliezer and his wife, Chana.
“Who is Chana?” I asked.
“She is my daughter in New York.”
This was none other than Eliezer’s mother-in-law. Wonder of wonders! Just as I was asking him to check his mezuzot, his mother-in-law walked in, asking for my blessing for his family.
Hashem obviously wanted Eliezer to be doubly blessed. This was in the merit of the good deeds which he is always looking to do.
