Directed to the Right Address
I once found myself, as I often do, at the airport. I asked one of my escorts, R’ Chaim Kurson, shlita, to procure a permit for himself so that he would be allowed to enter the section where only passengers may enter.
R’ Chaim looked at his watch. “Honored Rav,” he began, “it’s getting late. The clerk who gives this type of permit has already gone.”
“Nonetheless,” I pressed, “go and try. Maybe he is still in his office.”
R’ Chaim obeyed and returned with a huge smile on his face.
- Rabbi Chaim Kurson, to the right of the Rav
“Honored Rav, I did not obtain the permission slip, as you had asked. When I left you, I knew it was already too late for that. And when I got to the office, the man was, indeed, gone. But I am so happy that I listened to the Rav anyway. Next to the office, what did I hear but a fellow Jew crying out, ‘Ribbono shel Olam! From where will come my help?’
“I understood that Hashem had sent me to the right place at the right time.
“The man was delighted to see someone take an interest in him. ‘Blessed is Hashem Who heard my prayers. I have been standing here for ages, and have no idea what to do. The person who was supposed to meet me and escort me to my destination is nowhere to be seen. I have no address to go to, and I don’t know a word of this language!’
“Of course, I immediately went into action. Finally, I found the address he needed, and sent him off in a taxi.
“I just have one question to ask the Rav,” he continued. “When you sent me for the permit, did you know that the clerk would be gone, and in his place a fellow Jew would be waiting for help?”
“Not at all,” I replied. “And there was no special reason why I chose you to go, above everyone else here with me.”
Hashem had arranged that I insist on him going to the office for the permit, so that he could help a fellow Jew in need.
“Many designs are in a man’s heart, but the counsel of Hashem, only it will prevail.”
