Taking the Plunge
When I was a young boy, I was quite rambunctious. One Friday evening, in a spirit of adventure, I fell into the chimney of the Beit Hakeneset of the tzaddik, Rabbi David Chazan, zy”a, the noted chavruta of the tzaddik, Rabbi Chaim Pinto Hagadol, zy”a.
I held on, for dear life, to a portion of the chimney which was made of glass. I was deathly afraid of falling down the chimney, which was long. I remained in this precarious position interminably, feeling my strength waning with each moment. I knew that eventually, I would plummet downward.
During those fateful hours, Father was busy learning Torah, oblivious to the danger which faced me. In the merit of his pure Torah study, I was granted a second chance. Finally, someone released me from the chimney, and I returned home, safe and sound.
Many years later, after I matured from my childish pranks, I decided to enter the world of business. But Father advised me against this, asserting that I would not see blessing in this area.
“Was I born with no mazal?” I demanded. “Will I always be met, regardless of which direction I take, be it business or Torah study, with failure and disappointment?”
“Of course not,” Father reassured me. “That was not what I meant at all. You are full of mazal and good fortune. But your calling is only in Torah.”
When I asked how he was so sure of himself, Father reminded me of the incident in the chimney. He said that I would not have been saved in the merit of his Torah study, had I not been destined to devote my life to that very vocation.
With the wisdom of hindsight, I see that Father’s words were true to the last detail. Although I tried my hand in the business world, giving it my very best, time and again, I suffered losses. They were distinct signs from Heaven that I was chasing the wrong dreams.
Once, during my days as a businessman, I ascended to the grave of my grandfather, the tzaddik, Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a, in Morocco. I wondered if my grandfather was proud of such a grandson, or was ashamed of my chosen career. I asked myself if it was appropriate for a grandson of such a virtuous man, a veritable wonder-worker, to be involved in transient pursuits. Maybe a life devoted to Torah would be more fitting.
Then and there, I resolved to spare my holy grandfather shame in the Upper World. I made a turnaround in my lifestyle, abandoning the glitter of the business world and immersing myself in Torah, for it is the best merchandise.
