Doubly Repaid
When I was young, I studied under the tutelage of Mori V’Rebbi, the Gaon, Rabbi Gershon Liebman, zt”l. In later years, his yeshiva was undergoing financial difficulties. The debts were unbearable, and the yeshiva was in serious jeopardy of closing its doors.
- Grave of Moreinu HaGaon Rabbi Gershon Liebman, zt”l
The Roshei Yeshiva, among them the gaon, Rabbi Eliyahu Shneur, shlita, asked for financial help for this holy institute. They asked me, “Do this for the sake of Heaven. Take the yeshiva under your wing.” I was put into a tough spot. Gratitude dictated that I should help cover the debts of the place where I had been educated. On the other hand, I had my own institutions to worry about. How could I underwrite another institution and thereby endanger my own?
But the rabbis would not take no for an answer. They asked that I help them in any way possible, small as it may seem. I donated a token sum, but nothing that could extricate them from their sea of debt. Even a collection which I arranged in Lyon did not reach one percent of the yeshiva’s needs.
Ultimately, I accepted the entire burden of the yeshiva’s debts upon myself. The rabbanim were very pleased to hear this and were visibly relaxed. I, too, was happy with the knowledge that my mentor, Rabbi Gershon Liebman, zt”l, was certainly looking down at me from Shamayim, happy with my decision.
I turned my thoughts to how I would acquire the vast sums needed for the yeshiva. I realized that Hashem was testing my level of faith. I therefore strengthened my belief that Hashem is all-powerful. I am merely a tool in His hand, a conduit through which He would send His blessing to the Torah institution in need.
To add to the drama, one day, the yeshiva building went up in flames. Baruch Hashem, no one was hurt. But in addition to all of the previous debts, there was now the expense of renovations. The yeshiva boys were learning temporarily in various other places of study. Of course, I undertook this expense, as well. I sent my bundle up to Hashem, certain He would provide me with whatever was necessary.
Not long afterward, the phone rang in my house. On the line was a man who faced great danger. He asked that I bless him. I warmly blessed him with success in all his endeavors. Then he added, “Rabbi, if this entire incident ends on a good note, I will donate a very large sum of money to tzedakah.” It took all I had to refrain from asking the specifics of that said sum. But of his own accord, he mentioned the exact amount I needed to support the struggling yeshiva.
May Hashem’s Name be blessed forever! A few hours later, my phone rang again. The man called to say that he had emerged unharmed from his predicament. His donation was on its way. When I received it, I immediately dispatched it in its entirety to the rabbanim of the yeshiva. I was extremely gratified to have been the messenger to support and renovate the yeshiva of my youth.
I learned a lesson far more valuable than any donation. As soon as I transferred my load to Hashem’s capable hands, completely believing that He would sustain the yeshiva in distress, He arranged for the man’s call and his eventual tremendous donation.
But the story does not end here. This man related that as a result of his tzedakah, he was once again saved from peril. When he and his wife were flying home from Florida, and they were nearly ready to land, the captain instructed everyone to fasten their seat belts. The plane had entered thick clouds and was in great danger. It could not come in for a landing.
All of the passengers, as could be expected, were panic-stricken. But this man calmly told his wife that they had nothing to fear. They had the zechut of tzedakah to their credit. The merit of Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a, would surely stand by all of the passengers on their flight.
And that is what happened. Thunder and lightning rent the skies, but did not cause any damage to the plane. It landed safely.
The man had another story to relate. When his daughter-in-law was expecting twins, there was suddenly a situation which posed danger both to mother and offspring. The doctors recommended an abortion to save the mother’s life.
But her father-in-law had unyielding faith in Hashem. He was sure that the merit of the tzedakah he had given would stand by him and his son to merit children after many years of childlessness. The expectant mother and her twins were delivered from danger in a miraculous manner. She gave birth to healthy children.
How great is the power of tzedakah! It saves from certain death!
