Credit Where Credit Is Due
A woman once approached me and said, “In the merit of the Rav, I had two sons.”
“Not in my merit, but through Hashem. It is only in the merit of my fathers, whose prayers Hashem accepts.”
“No!” she asserted, “It is in the merit of the Rav that I had two sons.”
I remained silent. What was the point in arguing with this woman? But I kept thinking to myself how strange it was that this woman should think that she had children in the merit of a rabbi, instead of attributing it to Hashem. Surely, in her innermost heart, she believes it was only Hashem Who granted her sons.
Even if she were absolutely positive that the Rav brought her sons into this world in the merit of his prayers, this thought, too, is inaccurate. What does a Rav accomplish by his prayers? He indicates to the petitioner that at a time of difficulty, one must turn to Hashem for salvation. He merely shows him the right address for his supplications. This address is none other than Hashem, Himself. Why would she imagine that it was the Rav who affected the miracle of the birth of her sons?
On second thought, I realized that although she might be lacking in her faith, her submission to the Rav, Hashem’s messenger, is virtuous, connecting her neshamah to Hashem and thereby drawing blessing upon herself.
I tried convincing her that the Rav is merely an agent of Hashem. Hashem Alone is the One Who gives children to the barren and cures the ill. He did, He does, and He will do to all living creatures.
