Open Lines
When I was on a visit to New York, I needed a large sum of money for charity purposes. In an act of Divine intervention, I met Mr. Kadi. He is a wonderful man, who generously donates tzedakah and hurries to help me whenever I turn to him. I asked him now, as well, to make a sizeable contribution to the cause I was rallying. Mr. Kadi did not disappoint me and donated a handsome sum.
But I wanted him to contribute of his own goodwill, not out of a sense of coercion or force. I put forth a short prayer that Hashem should put the right words in my mouth. Baruch Hashem, my prayer was accepted. This was how it happened:
Mr. Kadi told me about the new home he had just built. He asked that I bless him in the merit of my fathers that nothing bad should happen to his house. There should be no ayin hara upon it, and he should dwell in it peacefully. I instructed him to check out all the gas lines before moving in.
- Mr. Kadi’s letter
He answered immediately, “Honored Rav, I checked out everything. The gas system is built in the most superior way possible.”
But I was adamant. “Do not move in until you dig up the gas lines and check that they are all in order.”
When he saw that I was unwavering, he finally relented and agreed to do whatever I said.
About two days later, Mr. Kadi returned to me. He was so excited that he could hardly speak. Finally, he calmed down enough to relate the following:
“Honored Rav, I have no words to thank you. Had I not checked out the gas lines like you recommended, the entire house would have exploded! During the first investigation, everything seemed in order. But after the Rav instructed me to do another search, I called other engineers, with more advanced electronic equipment. They checked out the system more thoroughly and found a leak in an underground gas pipe. Had we not discovered it in time, it would have posed a definite hazard to the entire house and its occupants.”
I lifted my hands heavenward and thanked Hashem for guiding me to say what I did. I was grateful to be the channel through which Mr. Kadi and his family were rescued from danger.
After this harrowing incident, Mr. Kadi wished to demonstrate his gratitude to his Creator. He donated the respectable sum I had previously specified, with a willing heart.
Since I needed Heavenly assistance to cause Mr. Kadi to donate of his own goodwill, I merited giving him a good piece of advice.
When a person is in need of siyata di’Shemaya, Hashem will come to his assistance. Hashem has thousands of ways of helping people out of their predicament. All that is left for us to do is turn to Him and ask for His help.
