The Test of Faith: Why Was the Newspaper Shown to Me?

There was a story about one of my friends who lived in a certain place, and his place of residence was somewhat far from his workplace, his wife's workplace, and the school where his children studied in the Talmud Torah, all of which were concentrated in one area far from his residence. He greatly desired to live in that centralized place for all his needs. For two years, he strengthened his faith in Hashem, believing that Hashem was doing what was best for him, accepting with love whatever Hashem would desire, and he fortified his trust to be sure that if it was meant for him to get an apartment in that centralized place for all his needs, he would receive it; and if not, then it was best for the situation to remain as it was. And behold, after two years, a newspaper advertising apartments for sale came into his hands. His eyes fell on an advertisement for an apartment for sale in that same area where he longed to live, and even on the same street as his and his wife's workplace, and very close to the Talmud Torah. Immediately, he thanked Hashem for the find that was arranged for him as the price was also reasonable and within reach. He immediately picked up the phone, and the response to his question: the apartment was sold; a contract with a certain buyer was signed half an hour ago...

This friend approached me half-broken and disappointed. I told him: Look, it seems that the apartment is not for you, because if it were meant for you, no one could have taken it from you.

My friend told me, I believe that the apartment is not for me, as evidenced by my not receiving it, but I cry out from the bitterness of my heart for the meaning of this Providence that was done to me: why was this advertisement shown from heaven in the newspaper, could not Hashem have hidden this from me and I would not have seen and not been disappointed?! Why show me as if the apartment is in my hands, and in the end, it slipped away from me...

I told him: Listen, my friend, Hashem examines the righteous. This is Hashem's way to test His righteous ones, to see if for two years, when you speak of faith, and strengthen yourself with trust in Hashem that He is doing the best for you, whether it is mere lip service or if you truly feel it.

And now, it is a time of testing for you, if you feel sorrow as if you lost the apartment because you didn't hurry, or for any other reason, and if you are angry with yourself or others who caused it, it is a sign that your faith was not complete. But if you feel even now that what happened was the best for you, and without anger and rage you settle in your mind to believe that no one can touch what is meant for another, it is a sign that your faith was genuine and true, and this is the way of Hashem to test His believers, as it is said "Hashem examines the righteous."

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Know that when you are, Heaven forbid, surrounded by many evil and minor thoughts, sufferings, judgment, and concealment of face, and everything seems gloomy to you, know that His blessed divinity surrounds you, even if you have fallen to the depths, with this faith you will rise with greater strength and with more vigor, because His blessed divinity is with you, as holiness spreads to the depths and does not change anywhere and there is no other god with me (Deuteronomy 32).

Other gods, Heaven forbid, for they are nullified nonexistent, there is nothing substantial in them at all, and His blessed light shines to the depths without any change, except that you have caused yourself with your bad deeds to experience bitterness, as if there is change and separation, because He is all-powerful. (Zohar Chai Chapter 1, page 86)

The article is taken from the book "Living by Faith". To purchase Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Lugasi's book click here.