The Gift from a Stranger That Only Hashem Could Arrange

Rabbi Asher Weiss shared an incredible story about a Jewish man living in Manchester, England. He was a father to a large family and completely devoted to a life of Torah learning. He raised his children with strong values, guiding them to follow the mitzvot—the commandments of the Torah.

One ordinary day, something completely unexpected happened. As the man returned home from the beit midrash (study hall), he saw an envelope in his mailbox. It didn’t look like the usual letters or bills—it was official-looking and unusual. Curious and a bit anxious, he opened it.

To his great surprise, the letter was a summons from the district court for a hearing about his personal affairs. But what could a Torah scholar, whose life was centered around learning and family, possibly have to do with a court case? He hadn’t done anything wrong, and he couldn’t imagine why a court would be contacting him.

Still, the day of the court hearing came. And then, even more shocking news was revealed: according to the will of one of the city’s wealthiest millionaires—a non-Jewish man—this father of thirteen was chosen to inherit the man’s entire fortune, worth billions of dollars.

The man was stunned. It seemed impossible. He had never met this millionaire, never heard of him, and had no connection to him at all. He was sure there had been some mistake.

But the judge reassured him: "There’s no mistake. The deceased had no children or family to inherit his wealth. He loved children deeply. In his will, he asked that all of his property be given to the largest family in the city. We checked the records, and your family—with thirteen children—is the largest. There are a few families with twelve children, but your thirteenth child, born just two weeks ago, made your family the largest. So, the inheritance belongs to you."

This story is a beautiful reminder that Hashem, the Creator of the world, has endless ways to care for those who fear Him and live by His will. It’s not our work or effort alone that brings us blessing, but our trust in Hashem—our emunah (faith)—that opens the gates of Divine kindness.

As Rabbi Weiss explained, this wasn’t just a coincidence. It was a clear act of Hashgachah Pratit—Divine Providence. Hashem chose a faithful Jew, who devoted his life to Torah and family, to receive this enormous blessing. And it happened through a path no one could have predicted.

The “Da’at Zekenim” (a classic Torah commentary) teaches a powerful message: Our lives aren’t just sustained by food and physical needs. True life comes from Hashem’s words—from following His mitzvot and staying connected to Him. That’s what brings real blessing, both in this world and in the World to Come.

Hashem has endless ways to help those who trust in Him. Sometimes, it comes from the most surprising places. And for someone living with faith, even a simple envelope in the mailbox can turn out to be the start of an incredible miracle.