Worry-Free

Shaar Habitachon: A person who trusts in G-d, his trust will bring him to turn his heart away from a preoccupation with worldly matters, and instead dedicate himself to matters of Divine service. (Shaar Habitachon, introduction) 

Story: The Baal Shem once heard a heavenly voice instructing him to travel to a certain village in order to learn the trait of bitachon. The Baal Shem Tov traveled to this village with his students, and upon arrival found the local inn where he would stay. 

The Innkeeper, who leased the inn from the local Poritz, ladowner, was an elderly and respectable Jew, who was very happy to welcome and host such special guests.

The next morning, as they were about to begin Shachris prayer, The landlord’s Sheriff  came into the inn, walked over to the table, knocked with his stick on the table three times, and left. The Baal Shem Tov and his students did not ask any questions, but searched on the face of the innkeeper for a clue to the reason of the three knocks. The innkeeper remained cheerful and had no reaction to the knocking.

A small while later, as they completed their prayers, the sheriff came once more and once again knocked three times on the table and left. The Baal Shem Tov asked his host: “What is the meaning of these knocks?” The innkeeper answered: “That was a warning that today I must bring the Poritz the rent for the inn. The warning of three knocks is repeated three times. If, after the third warning, I do not pay the rent, the Poritz will throw me and all of my family into prison.”

The Baal Shem Tov said: “It is obvious from your happy worry-free mood that you have the necessary  money for the rent. May I suggest that you go and pay your rent now, before breakfast. We will wait for you to return, and then we will all sit calmly to eat.”

The innkeeper answered: “As of now I have not even a single penny for rent, but Hashem will no doubt provide for me the money I need for rent. Since I still have three hours left until I need to pay the rent, let us please sit, eat and drink without hurrying.”

So, they all took their time and had a calm meal, and one would never be able to tell from the way the innkeeper was acting and from his facial expressions whether he was in desperate need of money or not. As they finished the meal the sheriff came in for the third time and knocked three times on the table for his final warning. Still, the innkeeper did not show any worry or anxiety. They bentched after their meal slowly and with proper intention, the host got up from the table and went to put on his Shabbos clothing, and said: “Gentlemen, I must go now to pay the rent to the landlord.”

The Baal Shem Tov once again asked the innkeeper : “Do you have enough money?”

The innkeeper answered: “I do not have yet even one single penny for the rent, but Hashem will definitely provide.”

The innkeeper went on his way to pay the rent. Meanwhile, the Baal Shem Tov and his students went to the balcony and watched from afar what would happen. From a distance they saw a horse and carriage making its way down the road towards the innkeeper. They watched how the horse and carriage stopped near the innkeeper, and the innkeeper stood by the carriage and spoke a few words with the driver. After a few minutes, the innkeeper continued on his way, and the horse and carriage drove away slowly on its way. However, after a few moments the horse and carriage stopped again, and the driver called for the innkeeper to come back. The Baal Shem Tov and his students saw that when their host returned to the carriage, the driver began counting money and gave it to their host. The Innkeeper then continued on his way, and the horse and carriage came to rest at the inn.

The Baal Shem Tov and his student asked the driver: “Tell us please, Why did you call the innkeeper back after he walked away and only then did you give him money?”

The driver said: “I offered  to go into business with him. I would pay him now and buy all the whiskey that he makes this coming winter. In the beginning we could not agree on a price, as he  refused to settle for anything less than his asking price. After he walked away, and I know him to be  an honest man, I decided to pay his price. He said he had to hurry and pay the poritz rent, so I quickly gave him the money and we both went on our way. 

The Baal Shem Tov turned to his students and said: “See how strong  is the power of bitachon!”

(Sippurei Chasidim, Parashas Bechukosai)

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