How One Neighbor’s Decision to Choose Peace Led to a Life-Saving Miracle

Rabbi Moshe Toledano shares a chilling true story. Just days before Passover, a well-off man in an apartment building decided to replace his living room sofa with a beautiful new one for the holiday. His old sofa was still in great shape, and he hoped it could benefit a family in need. So, with good intentions, he offered it to anyone who wanted it.

But as the delivery date for the new sofa approached, no one came to claim the old one. Not wanting to throw it out, he gently moved it into the building’s courtyard, placing it in a corner where it wouldn’t bother anyone. He could have tossed it into the garbage, but something in his heart held him back. He truly wanted to help someone else.

A neighbor from the fourth floor, however, did not see things the same way. He came down, visibly upset. “Why are you putting your sofa here?” he shouted. “Is this your private yard? This building belongs to all of us! Don’t try to show off your new sofa by leaving your old one for everyone to see!”

The man who had moved the sofa stood in stunned silence. He had only meant to do something good, to help someone in need. He hadn’t expected his gesture to lead to such harsh words. Just as the argument was about to spiral out of control, a well-known rabbi happened to walk by. Sensing the tension, he stepped in gently to calm the situation.

He listened quietly and then turned to the angry neighbor. With warmth in his voice, he said, “I hear you. It really can be upsetting when someone leaves furniture outside. But is it worth arguing about?”

The rabbi continued, gently and lovingly: “Peace brings blessing. There is no greater protection than peace. Think how much better it is to live in harmony with your neighbors. Buildings where people live together peacefully are blessed by Hashem. If you can give in, you’ll gain so much—inner peace, unity, and the merit of choosing peace over pride. Believe me—it’s worth it.”

The angry neighbor softened. The rabbi’s words touched something deep in him. In the end, he agreed to leave the sofa where it was, and the tension melted away. The building was quiet again. Peace had returned.

And then something incredible happened.

The very next day, the daughter of that same fourth-floor neighbor was standing by the window, airing out blankets and bedding. She leaned on the bars—but suddenly, without warning, the bars gave way. She fell, screaming, straight out the fourth-floor window—plummeting over 15 meters (about 50 feet) to the ground below.

There was no way she could survive a fall like that. Her parents, hearing her scream, ran to the window in terror, hearts racing, fearing the worst. They couldn't even look down.

But then they heard her voice—frightened, dizzy, in shock—but alive.

She had landed directly on the old sofa—the very one her father had agreed to leave in the courtyard. The cushions had softened the blow and saved her life. The girl was shaken, but whole. No broken bones. No serious injuries. She just asked for a glass of water.

Rescue teams rushed to the scene. No one could believe what they were seeing. A fall from that height usually ends in tragedy. But here, the “peace sofa”—as it was now being called—had become a miraculous safety net.

It was only because her father had chosen peace the day before that the sofa was still there to save his daughter.

Yes, sometimes it’s hard to give in. When neighbors want to build and it causes a disturbance, when someone wants to use the shared yard or parking, when someone at shul (synagogue) asks to change the air conditioner or open a window—it’s easy to get annoyed. These are the little things the yetzer hara (evil inclination) uses to bring discord, to start arguments, to plant distance between people.

But if we take a step back and choose peace—even when it’s hard—we invite Hashem’s blessings into our lives. Let’s choose shalom. Let’s value love, unity, and compassion as the greatest treasures.

And then, just maybe, we too will see miracles