Paths of Faith: Believing Salvation is Ready and Will Arrive in Its Time

Hashem is almighty, and nothing can stop Him from bringing us salvation; however, sometimes the time for salvation has not yet arrived. We need to understand that sometimes the salvation is already prepared, and at the moment its time comes, it will arrive. It is through this strong faith that we can hasten the arrival of salvation.

A story is told of the Baal Shem Tov who set out on a journey with his student. Along the way, they ran out of water. The student told the Rabbi that he was thirsty, and the Baal Shem Tov asked his student: "Do you truly believe that Hashem can send us water right here in this desolate place, but truly believe?" The student replied he still was not completely sure.

For three days, the Baal Shem Tov repeatedly asked the student if he believed that Hashem could send them water. Each time, the student replied that he still wasn't completely sure. After three days, when the Rabbi asked again, the student replied that yes, now he truly believed.

Suddenly, a Gentile appeared before them with a bucket full of water and offered them to drink. The Baal Shem Tov and his student asked him where he came from. The Gentile said: "My landlord went crazy, and three days ago he ordered me to go out with a bucket of water and give it to any people I meet along the way. I've been wandering without purpose, and now finally I've met you."

This story teaches us how sometimes salvation is already ready, but because a person's faith is not strong enough, it is delayed. The moment a person truly believes that Hashem can rescue him, the salvation suddenly comes.

Rabbi Pinchas of Koretz, of blessed memory, added a teaching on this story. It is written in the Torah: "And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed a dream" (Genesis 41:1). After two full years that Joseph was in prison, Pharaoh dreamt his dream. On the surface, this seems puzzling: what is the connection between Joseph's two years in prison and Pharaoh's dream?

The holy "Or HaChaim" explains: Throughout those two years, Pharaoh dreamt the same dream every day, but upon awakening, he completely forgot it. Only after two years, on that particular day, he did not forget the dream. Rabbi Pinchas of Koretz asked: What was the purpose of dreaming the same dream and forgetting it? He answers, Hashem had already prepared the salvation for Joseph right from the time he entered the prison. Hashem waited for Joseph to reach the level of faith suitable to his high stature. Therefore, Pharaoh dreamt the dream every day, so that if Joseph reached this level of faith, the salvation would be immediately ready, and on the day Joseph achieved the appropriate level—Pharaoh did not forget the dream, called Joseph to interpret it, and Joseph became the viceroy.

If salvation is delayed, we should be strengthened by remembering that Hashem is almighty and can rescue us at any moment.

Let us not despair on the path to salvation, but remember that every trial has an end.

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