In this week’s Parsha, we learn about Yitzchak Avinu who was 40 years old and still single. He needed to get married. The pasuk tells us, “Vayeitze Yitzchak lasuach basadeh” – Yitzchok went out to pray in the field. The pasuk continues, “Vayisa einav vayar” – he lifted his eyes and his intended bride, his kallah arrived just at the moment of his prayer. Yitzchok had immediate results in his prayer. He had instantaneous success. He prayed and his prayer was answered.
There is a question here. What did Yitzchok do to have his prayer answered so expediently? Why did he merit to have such immediate results?
I heard an unbelievable answer from my father, Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita based on the Chizkuni: When it says lasuach basadeh it means that Yitzchok went to talk in the field. He went to talk to someone. There was a person in the field. There was a person who desperately needed another person’s love. There was someone who needed a listening ear and a supportive friend and Yitzchok went out to him.
Before Yitzchok prayed to Hashem, he took care of one of Hashem’s children. He went out and made them feel good. That’s why Hashem listened to his prayers and answered him right away. What an incredible thing! If there’s someone in need and we try to help them and care for them then Hashem will take care of our needs!
Rav Paysach Khron shlita, shared the following powerful story that a man told Rav Sholom Schwadron zt”l after one of his lectures: One day a man who worked in the diamond exchange in Russia was on his way to his office when he heard someone yell out, “A tzenter, a tzenter!” He turned around and saw an elderly man standing in front of a small shul. He was looking for a tenth man to complete a minyan. Since he had a few minutes to spare, the man went inside the shul. When he got inside, however, he saw that he was tricked and there were only three others in the shul. In the meantime, the old man went back outside to search for another “tzenter”.
The man wanted to leave but the older man convinced him to stay. Frustrated, he just sat down and waited. Five minutes. Ten minutes. Still no one. After fifteen minutes one more man enters. After waiting long enough, the man began to make his way to the door, but the elderly man said, “It’s my father’s yahrzeit and I must say kaddish. Please, I’m begging you. Don’t leave. Stay for one more minute. The man said, “I can’t! I have to be at my office right now. The old man however stood at the door blocking the man’s entrance. “You will not leave until we get a minyan and I say kaddish. After I get ten men together, I’ll say kaddish and then you’ll go.”
Not wanting to cause a big fight, the man went back to his seat. Another ten minutes passed and still no one showed up. The man tried making his way to the door, but the same thing happened. Eventually, he realized his situation and he felt bad for the old man. He put himself in the elderly man’s shoes and waited.
Finally, at about 8:30 the elderly man finally got a minyan together. He started from the beginning of davening and insisted that every one of the ten men stay for the whole time. When they finished the elderly man who had the yahrzeit thanked everyone profusely and served some cake and whisky. Finally, everyone was allowed to leave.
The man made his way to his office, still carrying his bags full of jewelry. When he came within two blocks of his office a man suddenly ran over to him waving his hands and screaming frantically. “Quick! Run! Get out of the way!” He screamed wildly. “The Bolsheviks took over the government today and some of them came in and tragically killed the Jews in the Diamond exchange. They are now looting as much as they can. Run for your life!” The man ran and hid for a few days. Eventually, he was able to get out of Russia.
“Rabbi,” the man said to Rav Sholom, “That man was me. I survived that tragic attack because I helped another person.” What a story! We never know what effects our actions can have. Let’s show love! Let’s care for others! The things we do can have an immense, unseen impact, and can protect us when we least expect it. To receive this every week email us at info@parshaknowledge.com.
