Miracles in Building a Beit Midrash: The Power of Faith in Hashem

More than four years ago, while studying at the 'Kisei Rachamim' yeshiva, I noticed that there was no place in my neighborhood for the general public to study Torah in the evening. This led me to envision creating a place where anyone who wishes to study Torah and strengthen their faith could freely come and learn at any time.

I also found that there were no Torah classes for women in the area, for those eager to hear the word of Hashem. There was a significant lack of lessons on faith, self-improvement, and marital harmony.

It took me a long time to find a suitable location for the Beit Midrash.

Eventually, I found a vacant plot of 400 square meters in a good location, but upon inquiry, it turned out that the owner demanded 10,000 shekels per month, without any structure or infrastructure.

Naturally, at first, I was very concerned. How could a simple student like me raise such a sum every month, especially without covering the Beit Midrash's expenses?

I consulted with friends and acquaintances, and unanimously they replied:

"Are you crazy?! To commit to such an amount for three years? Where will you get the money?"

However, as I had previously shared, verses of faith convinced me that Hashem has enough money for the whole world, and certainly enough for this commitment.

Without hesitation, I went to meet the property's owner, a simple student standing before a famous businessman, and confidently promised to make all payments. Initially, the owner was puzzled by my confidence and asked, "Are you sure you can finance these monthly expenses?"

I prayed silently that Hashem would give me the right words to touch his heart.

I replied, "Certainly! I have a rich Father."

"What's His name?" he asked skeptically.

"The King of kings, Hashem, for whom I want to build a house! Do you think He won't pay?"

The owner's expression was one of disbelief, and he concluded the meeting with, "Let me think about it, and I'll get back to you."

I returned home feeling that by natural means, there was no chance he would choose to lease the plot to me, especially since he mentioned during our conversation that many businessmen were interested. But I knew that Hashem could change people's minds, and if I just strengthened my genuine faith, salvation would come.

I again immersed myself in the book 'Chovot HaLevavot', opening the chapter on faith to gain strength and avoid despair.

A few days later, the phone rang, showing the landlord's number.

I answered with a silent prayer to Hashem, "Please Father in Heaven, bring good news."

Just like a small child.

"Come to my office tomorrow at four, and we'll meet," he said joyfully... and hung up!

During the meeting, the landlord shared, "Everyone I consulted advised me not to deal with a Beit Midrash, and certainly not to rely on a young student who promises he can meet the payments. But something inside me said to lease the plot to you; you found favor in my eyes," he concluded.

"There is a Creator of the world," my heart immediately declared.

I thanked him for the trust he placed in me, and after extensive negotiations regarding the lease details, with the help of heaven, we signed a three-year contract.

If you thought that was the end of the story, the truth is it was just beginning.

It was a week before Rosh Hashanah, and my dedicated assistant R' Moshe בן ששון and I desperately wanted to pray in the new location by the holiday.

However, we faced two main challenges: We didn't have the funds to buy a caravan, nor did we know where to find an appropriate one suitable for Rosh Hashanah prayers that could accommodate Torah scrolls, tables, chairs, an ark, and prayer books.

In such times, to gather strength, I give a class on having faith in Hashem, asking the public, "What do you think? By Rosh Hashanah, could Hashem provide us money for the caravan, find us a suitable one, and fill it with all that's needed? Plus, accomplish the electrical, sewage, and infrastructure connections?"

Absolutely! - everyone replied in unison. "Of course, He can, but who says we deserve it?"

"Hashem deserves everything, and if we do it for Him, it will happen."

I called a company that manufactures caravans to ask how long it would take to prepare one suitable for a synagogue.

"A month," the company replied.

Suddenly, they said, "But coincidentally, we have a caravan that was ordered for a synagogue, but the organization went bankrupt. If you wish, you can come and see."

"I will be there now," I concluded the call.

I immediately called upon our righteous Rabbi Moshe, and we drove to the company. Upon arrival, we could not believe our eyes. A new caravan was made specifically for prayer needs, with a space for an ark, ready lighting, and restrooms prepped for sewage connection.

And you won't believe it... but the caravan was exactly the right size for the plot we leased.

We entered the office to ask how much the caravan costs. "One hundred thirty thousand shekels," the owner replied.

After some discussion, he agreed to reduce the price to one hundred twenty-four thousand shekels, with only ten thousand shekels in my pocket that I had collected. It was Friday.

I felt during those moments that if Hashem arranged for an organization to order a caravan that perfectly fits our site, then He would certainly send the money for it. I concluded with the owner that we would pick up the caravan on Sunday.

That Shabbat was simply amazing. Everyone I met and shared my intentions with immediately pledged and volunteered, even the "Avrechim" contributed amounts up to ten thousand shekels per person. During Shabbat classes, I spoke of the importance of the endeavor, and everyone opened their hearts.

By the end of Shabbat, we reached a sum of seventy thousand shekels!!!

On Sunday morning, an Avrech approached me and said, "I have sixty thousand shekels that I currently don't need, and if you like, I can loan it to you for a year."

At that moment, I felt as if Hashem was giving me a kiss, telling me, "Don't worry, continue to believe in Me and I will support you."

That Wednesday of the same week was Rosh Hashanah. Our caravan arrived on Monday night, and the following day I went to see how to connect it to electrical infrastructure, as the plot had none. To my surprise, I saw about fifteen professionals from the area who had come to help with the connections and prepare the site for the entrance of the Beit Midrash.

That same day we acquired two Torah scrolls and a safe to store them. The next day, donations poured in: the first brought chairs, the second tables, prayer books, a bimah for the Torah scrolls.

By Tuesday night, the Beit Midrash was ready to welcome worshipers, and the Rosh Hashanah prayers were incredibly moving for me, with the Beit Midrash packed to capacity.

Dear readers!

Do not think that I ever believed I personally had the ability or money to create such an enterprise, let alone manage it. I am certain I am merely a puppet led by the Creator. Every story in this book is an act of Hashem's kindness from start to finish, aimed at teaching us that even someone lacking understanding in fundraising (like me), who surely doesn't grasp managing people and feels embarrassed asking others to act, and isn't connected with officials, if he only looks to Hashem and doesn't fear throwing himself upon His care, surely he will succeed.

During the prayers of the High Holy Days, the treasured public continued to contribute generously, so that after the holidays I had thirty thousand shekels. I was very uncertain whether to continue building the remaining two hundred meters of the plot or to first repay my borrowed debt.

That following Shabbat, seeing that there was no room for all the worshipers, and during classes people stood outside due to lack of space, I understood that Hashem prefers we continue building, and He will surely provide the funds.

Another doubt lingered in my heart, after several Avrechim in the area asked me to open a Kollel, studying halacha and good character traits and the love of Hashem. Should I start the Kollel and halt construction, or build first?

As usual, during the first post-Shabbat lesson, I spoke about faith, sharing my dilemma with the public until a man stood up and said:

"Rabbi, is there a limit to Hashem's ability to provide you money for both the Kollel and the construction?"

His words penetrated my heart. I thanked him for his message, and the next day fifteen Avrechim signed up for the new Kollel.

To this day, I can't explain how the money arrived, but that same year during Chanukah, we inaugurated the large Beit Midrash, and the Kollel expanded to twenty Avrechim. Meanwhile, Hashem saw fit to pay off the sixty thousand shekel debt for the caravan.

However, one thing I do know is that I continue to study and teach faith and trust in Hashem every day, and whenever the evil inclination pounces and frightens me—how will you fulfill all your obligations? Why accept another Avrech? Then the lesson on faith helps dismiss the fears and emboldens me to cast those fears onto Hashem.

Today, I can dare to say, anyone who wants to see that there is a G-d in the world and how much He loves us, should come to the 'Yabia Omer' Beit Midrash at 41 Rechov Oziel in Bnei Brak. Currently, 84 Avrechim study in the Kollel, with salaries at the end of the month totaling around 100,000 shekels, aside from rent, electricity, and other expenses of the Beit Midrash.

I, the small one, try to sit and study most of the day, with my main effort being strengthening faith and trust in Hashem every day.

Every 10th day of the month, when it's time to pay the cherished Avrachim their salaries, my eyes turn to Him in supplication, for I know there is no way in my power to obtain such a sum, and all my existence relies on His mercy.

And so, month by month, I must throw myself upon His grace, and with His abundant mercy, we have not delayed the salaries to the Avrechim until now. Every month, I have the merit of feeling a kiss from Hashem.

The book 'Yagel Libi BiYeshuatecha' can be found in select stores and online at Hidabroot Shops.