Faith – Harbinger of Hope
I was once asked to visit a sick man who was hovering between this world and the next.
When I entered his room, I found him lying still as a stone. I began talking to him, telling him that even when a sharp sword rests on one’s neck, he may not despair of Heavenly mercy.
His daughter, sitting at his side, suddenly burst into tears. She cried out to me, “Honored Rabbi, I am so envious of you. You have such strong faith and hope for a better tomorrow. As for me, my father is as good as dead.”
I shuddered at hearing her words. “What gives you license to give your father a death sentence while he is still alive? Where there is life, there is hope. One may never despair of Heavenly mercy.”
- At Kever Rachel
My words penetrated her heart. She was truly remorseful over her words. In a most miraculous fashion, the man fully recovered.
When I met his daughter at a later time, she said, “Honored Rav, you have a tremendous merit in being a man of faith. Your unshakeable faith in Hashem is what fuels you with hope for better times to come.”
