A Merchant’s Courage on Shabbat Earned Him More Than He Expected

Once upon a time, in a small Jewish community in Holland, there lived a Jewish merchant. It was a cold and peaceful Shabbat evening, and the merchant’s large family gathered around the beautifully set table, enjoying the delicious food and drinks. The songs of Shabbat filled the house, creating a sense of joy and tranquility.

But suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

The maid rushed to answer, only to find the prince’s messenger standing outside. She quickly called for the merchant, who stepped forward with calm and dignity.

The messenger explained, “I come on behalf of Prince Hendrick. He urgently needs several valuable carpets from your workshop to decorate his palace for a gala event tonight. Many important guests are expected.”

The merchant smiled gently and said, “I’m sorry, but I cannot fulfill the request. It is Shabbat, and I cannot work today. The prince will have to wait until tomorrow night for the order to be completed.”

The messenger was shocked. “Do you think the prince will delay his event just because of your Shabbat?” he asked mockingly.

The merchant remained firm but kind. “It is not my decision,” he explained. “I cannot work on Shabbat, as it is a holy day for us. Had you come earlier, I could have helped, but now, it is too late.”

The messenger left, and the family’s singing resumed. However, soon the knock came again. This time, the messenger handed over a letter written in the prince’s own hand, demanding immediate delivery of the carpets.

The merchant remained calm and replied, “I’m sorry, but I still cannot fulfill the prince’s request. This is not out of personal choice, but because of a divine decree. Please tell the prince I cannot break Shabbat.”

The messenger left frustrated and the family continued their Shabbat prayers.

The merchant’s children, who were involved in the business, tried to persuade him to deliver the goods without naming a price. Perhaps, they suggested, it would have been better to comply with the prince’s demands. But the grandmother, wise and strong in her faith, spoke up.

“Instead of being upset,” she said, “we should be grateful. Hashem has given us an opportunity to sacrifice for His sake. He will provide us with even greater blessings because we kept the Shabbat holy.”

When Shabbat ended, an invitation came from the prince for the merchant to meet him at his palace on Monday morning.

The merchant felt a bit nervous but trusted in Hashem’s protection. On Monday, he arrived at the palace, unsure of what to expect.

To his surprise, the prince stood up as he entered, greeting him warmly with a smile. He apologized for disturbing the merchant on Shabbat and explained the reason behind his actions.

“A count came to visit me,” the prince said, “and he was critical of the Jewish people. He said that Jews would sacrifice anything, even their sacred beliefs, for money. To prove him wrong, I decided to test you. I’m proud of your stand for your faith, and I respect your commitment to your values.”

A few days later, the merchant received a letter from the prince, naming him as one of the royal suppliers.

This story reminds us that keeping Hashem’s commandments is never easy, especially when we face temptation or pressure. But just like the merchant, when we choose to stay true to our values and trust in Hashem, we are always rewarded.

In the end, Hashem never leaves us empty-handed. By following His will, we are blessed in ways we might not even imagine.