Every Person Is G-D’s Messenger

Chovat Halevavot: The manner with which to have bitachon in G-d regarding the matters that pertain to someone who is of “more capable” or “less capable” class of people… when he request an object from one of these people—who is either above you or below him—he should consider the weak person and the strong person as equally able to perform his request, not placing any more trust in the stronger person. He should rely on G-d, blessed be He, that his request will be fulfilled. If his request is fulfilled by one of the people, then he should thank the Creator, blessed be He, Who fulfilled his wishes. (Chovot Halevavot, ch. 4)

Story: Chaim Zelig was an honest and generous man, whose livelihood was earned from an inn that he leased from the local Poritz, ladowner. He provided good service, and his inn quickly became a popular place for gatherings and lodging.

The Poritz was happy with Chaim Zelig, who always paid his rent on time, and never caused any trouble.

This was the story for many years, until one day the Poritz’s manager knocked on Chaim Zelig’s door and notified him that the Poritz would like to speak to him. Chaim Zelig asked the manager for the reason for this summon, since it was not yet time to pay the rent, but the manager didn’t answer him. 

Chaim Zelig could not think of a reason why the Poritz wanted to speak to him, and was feeling very uncomfortable while making his way to the Poritz. When he arrived at the Poritz’s mansion, he was immediately accompanied to the Poritz’s office.

The landowner told Chaim Zelig that he has unpleasant news for him. He decided that he will not be renewing his lease and that Chaim Zelig has one month to pack his belongings and leave the inn. “You'll just have to find another source of income,” said the Poritz.

Chaim Zelig began reasoning with the landowner, asking what he did wrong, and if he would reconsider, but the Poritz responded that he has already made up his mind and his decision is final.

Chaim Zelig was almost crying when he left the office, not knowing how he would be able to feed his family.

As a Chasid of the Tzemach Tzedek, Chaim Zelig decided to visit his Rebbe and ask for a Beracha and help. As soon as he arrived in Lubavitch, where the Tzemach Tzedek lived, he went directly to the Rebbe's house and requested for an urgent yechidus, private audience, with the Rebbe. 

Chaim Zelig was led to the Rebbe's holy room, burst into tears and related the entire story to the Rebbe. 

When Chaim Zelig finished his story, the Rebbe thought for a moment, took a piece of paper and wrote a letter, then placed it in an envelope and wrote an address on it.

Chaim Zelig glanced at the address and saw that it was addressed to Berel, and he was excited since there was a rich man named Berel in his town, who was very influential, and Chaim Zelig was sure that when Berel received the letter he would immediately help him. Chaim Zelig left the Rebbe’s room excited with the assurance of the Rebbe’s help and blessings.

Later on Chaim Zelig examined the envelope once more and his heart sank. The Tzemach Tzedek had two Chsidim, both were named Berel. One was rich and influential, who was known as der kleineh Berel, the short Berel, while the other was a modest person, who lived at the edge of town, and was known as der groiseh Berel, the tall Berel. When Chaim Zelig first glanced at the envelope he was sure it was addressed to der kleineh Berel, but now he noticed that it was addressed to der groiseh Berel. 

Chaim Zelig's first thought was that the Rebbe made a small mistake, and that he intended to write der kleineh Berel and in error wrote der groiseh Berel, but he could not return to the Rebbe‘s room, and was in a confused and upset mood. He decided to go to one of the Tzemach Tzedek's seven sons and told him his story, asking if they perhaps can mention this to the Rebbe. 

The Tzemach Tzedek's son told Chaim Zelig: “My father does not make mistakes! If he addressed the letter to der groiseh Berel, it means that the tall Berel is who it needs to go to. Take my advice and go and deliver the letter right away, for that is where your salvation lies." Chaim Zelig left Lubavitch and set out for the home of der groiseh Berel. He knocked on his door and handed him the letter. 

Der groiseh Berel read the letter and read how the Rebbe is asking that he help Chaim Zelig out from this hardship, and while he admitted that he did not know how he can be helpful, he also was sure that the Rebbe can see what others cannot, ane was sure that somehow he will be of help.

Berel suggested that Chaim Zelig remain for a bit as his guest, prepared for him a room in the attic, and Chaim Zelig settled in.

A week passed and nothing changed. Chaim Zelig was worrying about the 30 day deadline to move out of the inn that was quickly arriving. It all still seemed hopeless.

One day, a strong wind blew, the skies opened, and there was down-pour of rain. The weather did nothing to improve Chaim Zelig's mood. He was wondering how his wife and children are doing, as tears rolled down his cheeks. Suddenly Chaim Zelig heard loud knocking at the front door. "Help, Please let me in!" a voice cried out.

Berel ran to the door, opened it, and at the door was none other than the Poritz himself. He was soaking wet, shivering and blue from cold. He begged to be allowed in the house and be protected from the storm. 

The Poritz related how he had gone out earlier in the day hunting, how he had been caught unaware by a violent storm, how he has been wandering in the cold for hours, until he saw this house. 

Berel brought the Poritz to the fireplace, helped him warm up his body and prepared for him a room to weather the storm. 

When the Poritz was ready to leave, he turned to Berel and said, "I owe you my life. If not for you, I would have died. I want to reward you. Ask for anything and I will gladly fulfill your request."

Berel replied: “I have a request, but it is difficult. Will you do anything?”

The Poritz responded: “Yes. Anything.”

Der groiseh Berel said: "There is this one thing that you can do for me. I have a dear friend named Chaim Zelig, he is an innkeeper who finds himself in trouble. A few weeks ago you told him that he has to leave the inn within thirty days. The greatest reward you could give would be to allow him to stay."

The Poritz replied: Consider it done. Not only can he remain, but the next three years he will have the inn rent free." The Poretz put his promise in a document, signed it and sealed it.

Chaim Zelig asked one final question: "Dear Poritz, there is one thing that is still bothering me.. Why did you want me to leave in the first place? Was I not an honest and good tenant?"

The Poritz’s answer was shocking.

"To tell you the truth,” he said, “you were a perfect tenant. It was never my idea to make you leave. You see, I have a friend called the short Berel. I borrowed a lot of money from him. A short while ago he told me that his brother-in-law needs a job, and that he should take your place. He said that if I don’t do so, he will make my business suffer. It was the short Berel’s idea to evict you. But now I am changing my mind and letting you remain in the inn."

(Based on Chassidic Stories Made in Heaven)

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