How Devotion to a Mitzvah Inspired Divine Providence

A Remarkable Tale of Divine Providence

Learning to perceive Hashem's direct intervention in our lives (hashgachah pratit—Divine providence) is something that can enhance our faith and trust in Hashem. There is even a magazine, called Hashgachah Pratit, which consists entirely of accounts of amazing events that happened to invididuals in our day and age.

One story that was recently published was recounted by a young man who wanted to extend himself for a mitzvah and experienced first-hand how Hashem helps those who devote themselves to His Torah.

In his words:

Five years ago, Hashem sent me the great blessing of being able to purchase my very own apartment, at a bargain price. As the date approached when the apartment block would be completed, I resolved to purchase the most exquisitely written mezuzahs to affix on the doorways. I don't have money to spare, but if I could find money to buy an apartment, then I was going to find money for exquisite mezuzahs too.

Honoring the Mitzvah

I contacted a scribe and asked to see a sample of his work. After consulting with an expert, I learned that even more beautiful script was available. Since I was determined to buy the very best in order to honor the mitzvah, I approached a mezuzah dealer but once again, after showing his samples to an expert, the conclusion was that even finer mezuzahs could be found.

I wouldn't have minded waiting, but time was tight and I would be moving into my new apartment in just three weeks' time. And these weren't just any three weeks — they were the three weeks of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot, when everyone is exceptionally busy. Nonetheless, I wasn't prepared to compromise on mezuzahs of lesser quality and I prayed that I would find what I was looking for in time.

The Divine Orchestration

Two weeks passed with no news from the dealer, and then on Chol Hamoed Sukkot (one of the intermediate days of the festival), he suddenly called me. He had been told about mezuzahs written by a very pious scribe; his scrolls were of exceptional quality. In fact, he had already shown a sample to the expert I had consulted, who confirmed that these were exquisitely written scrolls.

"I'm going to be in your neighborhood later this evening, and I'll bring them with me," the dealer said. "We'll sort out the payment after Sukkot."

I was delighted and thanked him wholeheartedly. Right after Sukkot, my family and I moved into our new home, adorned with our beautiful mezuzahs.

The next morning, I called the dealer. "You told me to call after Sukkot about the payment," I reminded him.

On the other end of the line, I heard him chuckle. "You don't need to pay," he said. "Hashem already settled the bill."

The Hidden Benefactor

Taken aback, I asked for an explanation. He told me, "On my way back from your home, after delivering the mezuzahs, someone asked if he could catch a ride with me. I invited him into my car, and during the ride, he asked me what I did for a living. When he heard that I deal in tefillin and mezuzahs, he told me that he wanted to be a partner in the mitzvah of mezuzah. I mentioned that I had just delivered exquisite mezuzahs to a young man who doesn't have much money but wanted to honor the mitzvah, and he was delighted. He asked me how much they cost and right then and there he gave me the entire amount."

I was totally blown away. The cost of the mezuzahs would have made a huge dent in my finances (tight at the best of times), but I had been determined to focus only on the mitzvah and to honor Hashem. And in return, Hashem had shown me that I could and should trust Him to help me to fulfill His will, as the verse in Tehillim (Psalms) states: "Trust in God and do good" — rely on Hashem to support you and fulfill the Torah, and He will never let you down.