In The Right Time

Shaar Habitachon

“It should be clear to the person that all things in existence in this world, have a clear and defined limit, and it is impossible to add or subtract from the limit that G-d, may He be blessed, has decreed. A person cannot change an object’s quantity, quality, time, or place; he cannot increase that which was decreed to be few, nor can he decrease that which was decreed to be many. Similarly, a person will not be able to delay something that has been decreed to be early, nor is he able to hasten something that has been decreed to be delayed. That which does seem to occur by accident or quicker than their time or later than their time has already been decreed by G-d.”

Story: In the times of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov there lived a wealthy man, Avigdor was his name. He once brought a large sum of money to the Baal Shem Tov, and told him that he should give it out to the poor.

The Baal Shem Tov took the money and asked Avigdor if perhaps he would like a blessing in return. Avigdor replied arrogantly:  "No thanks! I am very wealthy and have everything. What else do I need?"

The Baal Shem Tov responded: "You are indeed very fortunate! Maybe you would like a blessing for your family?" Avigdor replied: "I have a big and healthy family. I am okay. I don’t need anything."

The Baal Shem Tov told him: "So, maybe you can help me. Can I ask you for a favor? Can you please deliver a letter for me to the head of the charity committee in the city of Brody?"

Avigdor responded: "Certainly. I live in Brody and would be very happy to help you in this matter."

The Baal Shem Tov took a piece of paper and wrote a letter, then placed it in an envelope and sealed it, and gave it to Avigdor. Avigdor took the envelope, and without even looking at the name on the envelope, he placed it in his inner jacket pocket, and went on his way.

Avigdor was so busy with his many businesses that by the time he arrived home in Brody he had completely forgotten about the envelope.

Sixteen years later, and the wheel of fortune suddenly turned for Avigdor. All of his wealth and properties were lost or destroyed. He had setback after setback, and was left penniless. Creditors took his house and everything else he owned. He was forced to sell everything in his house in order to feed his children.

One day, he went to the attic to look for something to sell, and he found an old jacket. He checked the pockets, before he was going to sell it, and he found a letter. Yes. The letter that he had received many years earlier from the Baal Shem Tov! He immediately remembered his visit, and how the Baal Shem Tov offered to bless him, but he thought he had everything. He remembered how the Baal Shem Tov asked him for a favor, which he forgot to fulfil. Tears started falling from his eyes for all his mistakes. 

Avigdor decided he would rush and finally fulfill his mission and deliver the envelope to the head of the charity committee. He looked at the envelop and saw that it was addressed to a Mr. Tzaddok, head of the charity committee of Brody.

Avigdor ran into the street of the town of Brody and grabbed the arm of the first person he met and asked, "Where can I find Mr. Tzaddok?"

The man responded: "You mean Mr. Tzaddok, the head of the charity committee?"

Avigdor replied: "Yes, him. I must see him immediately!" 

The man responded: "He is in Shul. I was there only a few minutes ago. Mr. Tzaddok was just this morning elected as the head of the charity committee."

Avidgor asked: "Tell me more about this Mr. Tzaddok?" 

So the man continued: "Mr. Tzaddok was a poor tailor, and had a hard time to earn enough money to support his family. No one ever took notice of him. Recently, his wheel of fortune turned. He was introduced to a local nobleman, who needed uniforms for all his servants, and he tasked Mr. Tzaddok with this job. The nobleman was very satisfied with Mr. Tzaddok's work, gave him more work, and suggested Mr. Tzaddok to his friends for all their tailoring needs. His business picked up and he became a rich man. He did not forget his former poverty, and gave a lot of money to charity. He gained respect in the eyes of the community and began taking an active role in the needs of the community. Just this morning, he was elected as the head of the charity committee."

Avigdor hurried to Shul and found a line of people wanting to speak Mr. Tzaddok, requesting for financial assistance. When it was Avigdor’s turn, he handed the Baal Shem Tov’s letter to Mr. Tzaddok.

Mr. Tzaddok opened the envelope and began reading the letter that the Baal Shem Tov wrote some 16 years earlier:

Dear Mr. Tzaddok,

Mazal Tov on your election as head of the charity committee. The man who is bringing you this letter is named Avigdor. He was once very wealthy, but is now very poor. I ask of you that you do all you can to help him, since he has a large family to support. And this is the sign that this letter is real: Your wife is expecting a baby. Today she will give birth to a boy.

At that moment  someone burst into Shul and announced, "Mazel tov! Mr. Tzaddok, your wife just had a baby boy!"

Mr. Tzaddok took the message of the letter to heart, and helped Avigdor get bacon to his own feet. Thanks to the Baal Shem Tov's foresight, Avigdor became rich again, but this time he remained humble and gave a lot of charity.

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