Hashem Provides Here Too: A Life Saved by Faith

In the Midrash Tanchuma on Parshat Tazria, there’s a beautiful story with a deep message of faith. It tells of a priest who used to examine nega’im, spiritual skin afflictions that appear on the body. He was preparing to travel abroad and turned to his wife with a concern. “People regularly come to me for these examinations. It’s hard for me to leave them. But come, and I’ll teach you how to check for afflictions. For every single hair on a person’s head, Hashem created its own tiny spring of nourishment. If the spring dries up, the hair dries and becomes afflicted.”

His wife listened carefully and then said something remarkable. “Let your ears hear what your mouth just said. If Hashem created a spring for every single hair on a person’s head, don’t you think He’ll take care of you too? You, who are a living soul with many hairs, and children who depend on you, how could Hashem not provide you with your needs?” And because of her pure and simple faith, she convinced him not to go.

This story, tucked into the Midrash, teaches us about trust in Hashem’s ability to care for us no matter where we are.

A story with the very same message was once told to Rabbi Shmuel Halperin by a man who had once considered moving to America. When Rabbi Halperin mentioned that he had learned under Rabbi Yisrael of Tchortkov, the man’s eyes lit up. He had something important to share.

“When I lived in Vienna,” the man began, “it was hard to make a living. Things were very tight. So I decided I would move to America. I knew the spiritual situation there wasn’t strong, but everyone said you could become wealthy quickly. I managed to get my immigration papers in order and even bought a ticket for the voyage.”

“A few days before I was set to leave,” he continued, “friends told me I should go get a blessing from the Rebbe of Tchortkov before my trip. So I went to him. When I told him I was moving to America, the Rebbe looked at me and said, ‘I’ve been waiting for someone going to America. Maybe you can do me a favor. That way, you’ll be fulfilling a mitzvah (a sacred act), and no harm will come to you on your journey.’”

“I said yes right away. Then the Rebbe said, ‘Please give my regards to the American Hashem.’”

“I was shocked. ‘What? Is there another Hashem in America, G-d forbid? Isn’t Hashem the same everywhere?’ I asked.”

The Rebbe smiled gently. “Really?” he asked. “You truly believe that Hashem is the same in America and here?”

“Of course,” I replied.

“In that case,” said the Rebbe, “why do you need to go so far? If the same Hashem who provides in America is also here in Vienna, then can’t He provide for you here as well?”

“The words struck me so deeply,” the man said. “They went straight into my heart. I canceled my voyage.”

Only later did he find out which ship he had been booked on. It was the Titanic. The very ship that tragically sank on its maiden voyage.

“That’s what I meant when I told you that your Rebbe saved my life,” the man said.

The story reminds us that sometimes, a moment of clarity, delivered with kindness and wisdom can open our hearts to something greater. Hashem is not limited by place. His care reaches us wherever we are, as long as we open ourselves to Him.

Courtesy of the Dirshu website