Faith, Gratitude, and Miracles: A Journey of Hope Through Life's Challenges

Shifra (name changed for privacy) has always been someone with a deep faith in Hashem. But no amount of faith could prepare her for the toughest trials of her life—the long wait for a home and for a child. It all started when Shifra and her husband decided they needed to move. The couple had no savings to fall back on, so their only option was to sell their current apartment, pay off their mortgage, and take out a new mortgage for a new home. They found a buyer for their apartment and put a sale sign up, but with limited income, they faced financial strain. They needed money for an attorney’s fee, but they didn’t have a penny to their name.

Then, just before the contract with their buyers was to be finalized, Shifra got a new baby to care for, which brought in a small initial payment. With this, they were able to start paying the builder for the new apartment they wanted to buy, but the builder refused to close the deal with them. Shifra, not wanting to give up, went to the mikvah (a ritual bath) and shared her feelings with her husband. “If this apartment is meant for us, it will be ours. If not, we’ll move on,” she said, trusting that Hashem had a plan.

Miraculously, just days later, the builder agreed to move forward with the deal under their terms. However, they faced another obstacle: the bank wouldn’t approve the mortgage because they hadn’t yet covered the old one. Despite months of sleepless nights and constant prayer, the couple’s persistence paid off. One day, the bank’s computers inexplicably showed that the mortgage was covered, and the loan was approved. The family signed the paperwork, and the new mortgage was transferred to the builder.

When the time came to move out, they had seven months to wait for their new home. That wait turned into a stressful three years, with construction delays and uncertain plans. At the same time, Shifra and her husband desperately longed for another child. They already had two children, but their prayers for a third were unanswered. Despite visits to doctors and trying various treatments, they were left with no results.

One day, Shifra made an important spiritual decision: she would start covering her head as a sign of her faith and trust in Hashem. “I believed that covering my head would bring us a home and that the home would bring a pregnancy,” she says. During this time, she carried a verse from Tehilim (Psalms) with her: "He will not fear bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in Hashem." This verse became a source of strength and comfort.

Amid a critical trial with the builder, Shifra stayed home to pray and fulfill the mitzvah (commandment) of separating challah dough. During that day, she had a strong sense that she was pregnant, but she kept it to herself until a test confirmed it. “We were overwhelmed with joy,” she recalls. “We knew that our faith and trust in Hashem had finally borne fruit.”

At three months pregnant, Shifra’s husband surprised her with unexpected news: “Prepare the cleaning supplies, we’re going to our new apartment!” They had received the verdict earlier than expected, and their new home was ready. It was a joyous moment, but the journey didn’t end there.

Just two days after moving into their new home, Shifra faced another challenge: she began bleeding and rushed to the hospital. After a tense examination, a nurse informed her that the situation was dire, saying, “Pray for a miracle.” Shifra and her husband were devastated, unsure of what to do. It was a test of their faith, and Shifra couldn’t stop crying.

The next day, after more tests, they received miraculous news: everything was okay, and the pregnancy would continue. Later in the pregnancy, Shifra faced another scare with a blood clot, but her son, David, was born healthy and strong.

In reflecting on her journey, Shifra says, "Even in the darkest moments, Hashem is always there, guiding us. Faith, trust, joy, and gratitude are the keys to receiving His blessings. Everything is prepared for us above, we just need to ask and take on good commitments."