The Rabbi Thought He Had Failed. Hashem Had Other Plans

Sometimes, the ways Hashem guides a person are so surprising that you can’t help but pause and feel deeply moved. That’s exactly what happened one day to a rabbi from Aish HaTorah Yeshiva in the Old City of Jerusalem.

While walking through the Old City, the rabbi met a man who didn’t seem connected to Torah observance. Still, he invited him over for a meal, hoping to share something meaningful about Judaism. The man accepted the invitation.

As they spoke during the meal, the rabbi quickly realized this was no ordinary guest. The man had a sharp mind, a deep curiosity, and a sincere interest in learning about Jewish belief and values. Their conversation flowed with energy and depth.

The rabbi invited him again, and the guest returned. They talked more, and soon they began studying together regularly. The more they learned, the more connected the guest seemed to feel.

Then, one day, the visitor shared something that took the rabbi completely by surprise. He explained that he was in Israel as part of his studies in Christian theology. He was actually training to become a priest, and now that his studies in Israel were complete, he would be continuing on to London.

The rabbi was stunned. “A priest? London? Stay in Israel!” he pleaded, hoping to continue their learning.

But the man quietly responded, “I’m not even Jewish.”

Their paths parted. The rabbi was left shaken. He had invested time and heart into this soul, hoping to help him grow in Torah. Now it felt like it had all been for nothing. The disappointment led him to doubt himself. He thought, maybe this kind of outreach work isn’t for me. Maybe I’m not cut out for it.

Before making a final decision, others urged him to seek advice from one of the great Torah sages of the generation. The rabbi did, and the sage encouraged him to continue. Even though he felt unsure of himself, he chose to follow the guidance of Torah and stay in the field.

More time passed. One day, something unusual began to happen. The rabbi noticed that several students had come to the yeshiva from overseas. And many of them shared a strange connection. They had all, at some point, been exploring the idea of becoming priests.

Eventually, the pieces came together. That same non-Jewish man, who had once studied at Aish HaTorah and then returned to the Church, had indeed become a priest. But whenever young Jewish men came to him expressing interest in studying for the priesthood, he would stop them and say, “You are Jewish. Your place is in Aish HaTorah Yeshiva in Jerusalem.”

That was the message he gave over and over again.

Sometimes the seeds we plant don’t grow where or when we expect. But Hashem sees everything, and nothing we do in sincerity and truth is ever lost. In the end, the rabbi’s efforts paid off, just not in the way he imagined.

And perhaps that’s the deepest lesson. Our job is to do what we can. The results are in Hashem’s hands.

Courtesy of the Holy Shabbat Supplement from Yated Ne'eman