When Hashem Sent Help from Unexpected Places

Bluma had spent hours standing by her daughter’s side as she labored in pain, trying to comfort her and ease her suffering. It was late, and Bluma, emotionally and physically drained, fell asleep on the couch nearby. In her sleep, she had a vivid dream. A noble-looking woman appeared and gently spoke to her: “You want your daughter to give birth safely and with ease, don’t you? Then go to the beit midrash (study hall), where my son, a great and hidden tzaddik (righteous man), is learning in hunger and poverty. Bring him a tzenerl”—a small coin used in those days “and your daughter will be saved.”

Bluma awoke with a start. The dream was so real, so clear. She hesitated for just a moment, then straightened her clothes and made her way to the study hall. If there was someone learning Torah at this late hour, she thought, it would be a sign that the dream was real.

To her surprise, she found a man immersed in Torah study. He was Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch of Liska, who was not yet known to the public as a tzaddik. At the time, he wandered from place to place, unknown and unrecognized. Bluma walked up to him, told him her dream, and placed the coin in front of him. He gave her a warm blessing that her daughter should give birth easily.

When Bluma returned home, she was greeted with wonderful news, a healthy baby had just been born.

Years later, when Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch shared this story with his followers, he smiled and said, “Look at what a devoted mother I have. She came down from Heaven and worked through people to bring me support.” Then he paused and asked, “But if she came all the way down from the upper world, why did she ask only for a tzenerl? Why not something more valuable?”

And he answered his own question: “It must be that in Heaven they decided that I deserve only this small coin. Everything is measured precisely from Above.”

Another story about Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch also reveals just how closely Hashem watches over those who serve Him with love.

Once, the rabbi set out on a journey to visit other tzaddikim. A Hasid who knew him well asked to join him. This Hasid was wise and understood that traveling with Rabbi Tzvi, even before he was widely known, would be a rare opportunity to learn deep spiritual lessons.

Rabbi Tzvi agreed but gave one condition: “During this journey, we don’t ask anyone for food or drink. If someone offers it to us on their own, we’ll accept it. But we won’t beg. If you want to come, you must accept this too.”

The Hasid agreed, and the journey began. After some time, they found themselves without food or water for three full days. Still, the Hasid kept his promise. He didn’t ask anyone for help.

Then, late one night, just as they were about to collapse from weakness, someone called out to them in the dark, “Stop! Stop!”

A Jew came running toward them and warmly invited them to his home for a meal and a place to sleep. They gratefully accepted and were amazed at the generous food and care they received. The man seemed to go out of his way for two complete strangers, and they wondered why.

After they had eaten, the host sat down and explained. “I am a descendant of the Shach, Rabbi Shabtai HaKohen. Earlier tonight, the Shach came to me in a dream. He told me that a Jew from Hungary, a Torah scholar who studies for the sake of Heaven, is passing by my house and he is very hungry. That’s why I came to find you.”

These stories remind us that Hashem runs the world with precision and care. Whether it’s a coin given in the middle of the night or a meal after days of hunger, when we walk with simple faith, we often discover just how close He really is.