Absolute Trust
A man once asked me for my advice. Since I am not a halachic authority, I merely presented my opinion and advised him what to do.
But he was not satisfied with my response. He asked another rabbi for his opinion. This rabbi advised him differently than I had. Therefore, he went for a third opinion. This rabbi gave him completely opposing advice to what anyone had previously said.
The man was getting himself more and more confused. Eventually, he did as he saw fit. But he did not meet with success. He then phoned me and stated that his problem was not settled.
“Did you follow my advice?” I asked.
“No,” he answered. “I wanted to get other opinions.”
I rebuked him for his attitude and told him the following, “When you first came to me with your dilemma, I told you how to act, taking responsibility for my words. Had you fully believed in the Torah opinion which I represented, you would have merited salvation. But you looked for more opinions, and thereby lost everything.
“I don’t mean to say that the other Rabbis were wrong. Had you followed any of their words, you might have met with success. But remember the following: When you ask a Rav for his opinion and place your trust in him, he is granted siyata di’Shemaya in order to help you.”
