Who says that only troubles are tests? Who still thinks that
only unusual problems are challenges to cope with?
What happened to family D is an example that even happy
events which are prefaced with much anticipation are trying
and require restraint and emotional strength.
Family D lived with its 9 young children in a far-flung
southern city. The parents had been investing money, energy
and much planning for a long time to move to Jerusalem to be
near their family. Finally, with Divine Providence (and a
story in its own right), they were able to obtain an
apartment in Jerusalem, where they had always longed to live
and the moving date was set for Monday the 21st of Av. All
the members of the household, young and old, were drafted to
help organize and pack with mixed feelings.
On the one hand, they were eagerly looking forward to their
new apartment in Jerusalem. On the other, they were loath to
leave their tranquil village whose residents were like a warm
and supportive family.
On Sunday, the 20th of Av, the work was finally finished.
Long days of amassing boxes, sorting and packing were at an
end. The contents of the house were organized into dozens of
crates, standing in the apartment in piles that reached
impressive heights, aside from a few necessary items that
were packed in a separate bag. The moving company had been
ordered for Monday morning. But something unpredictable
happened.
The children woke up on Sunday morning and discovered that
their parents weren't at home. After a little while, their
good neighbor said: "Mazel Tov, you have a new brother." The
empty rooms of the apartment echoed with their cries of joy.
The good neighbors joined forces, as always, to help out and
host the children until the parents could decide what their
next move would be. Having no choice, the parents didn't push
off their moving date. On the morning of Monday, the 21st of
Av, a truck wound its way to Jerusalem loaded with the nine
children of the D Family and dozens of boxes. Only the mother
and her newborn stayed down south in the hospital.
On Wednesday, the 23rd of Av, the mother and child joined
them in their Jerusalem home. A gloomy welcome awaited them
in the afflicted Holy City. The mourning had not ceased over
those killed in the terrorist attack on bus line number 2 the
evening before and the chareidi neighborhoods were shrouded
in sorrow. But life must go on and the needs of everyday life
forced family D to find solutions to their simple daily
problems: What to eat, what to wear, where to sleep?
Everything was at the bottom of the crates and aside from a
crib, there wasn't a free bed in the house.
The extended family was commissioned to help as best it
could. Everyone was busy with unpacking the boxes, at least
those that held the essentials. But their efforts resembled
those of a little bird trying to empty out the Kinneret.
After two days of work, they saw, but barely, some floor
space, most of the cupboards were still unassembled and there
was nowhere to put the clothes or books.
On Thursday, the carpenter was supposed to come and continue
putting the furniture together. Early in the morning they
received a telephone message. An urgent matter prevented him
from coming even with the incentive of a fair bonus that was
offered. The father tried to get another carpenter but when
he couldn't, he gave up and went to the Beis Midrash. If they
weren't able to make any progress in their work, at least
he'd use the time to learn and would take strength from there
to continue with "the project."
A hand on his shoulder roused him from contemplating his
woes.
"Shalom Aleichem, R' Avraham," R' Tzvi stood opposite
him, hearty as always, an old friend from the southern city.
"Why so glum?" his friend asked "I hear you get a Mazel
Tov!"
"Yes, that's right, I almost forgot that we have a bris
in another two days. It's exhausting, our apartment is in
chaos and the carpenter told us that he couldn't come. Maybe
you know someone?"
"What Divine Providence! Excellent!" R' Tzvi said naturally,
"Of course I know someone! Have you already forgotten that I
am famous for my golden hands? I can do very professional
work. We're here on vacation till Sunday and I'm free to come
help. What's your exact address? I'll just go to get my tools
from my father-in-law's house."
And R' Tzvi bolted like a deer to do the will of his Father
in Heaven without giving R' Avraham a chance to react for or
against his offer. When they were already at wits' end, R'
Tzvi appeared at the home of the D family. He was hardly able
to pick his way between the cartons and piles of furniture.
Armed with appropriate tools and especially boundless energy
and indefatigable strength, he began the task of assembling
the closets. In spite of the difficult work conditions, he
worked skillfully and with unparalleled efficiency. Even in
the dry Jerusalem summer, rivulets of sweat cascaded off his
face. But a song was on his lips and a halo of brightness
illuminated his countenace. With his positivity and joy, he
enfused new spirit into the family.
"I'm not leaving here until the Shabbos table is set and
ready for the meal," he said and Hashem helped him to be as
good as his word. It was as if his work were blessed. He
found even the smallest screw in the general disorder and
each hinge was properly placed. An inner happiness and a
feeling of being on a special mission energized the work of
R' Tzvi which, it goes without saying, he did without
payment.
Towards midnight, the house looked completely different. The
bookcase took pride of place in the living room, its books
meticulously arranged on its shelves, likewise the clothes in
their cupboards. Even the children's shelves had not been
neglected and hung in their chosen places. Only then, did R'
Tzvi allow himself to rest. He sat on a chair whose leg he
had mended and sipped a cup of coffee. Only then did the new
mother and R' Avraham allow themselves to ask. "R' Tzvi,
you've done so much. How can we ever repay the great kindness
you've done for us?"
"Me? Thank me?" R' Tvi was beside himself. "I'm the one who
should be saying thank you, I'm the one who's indebted and I
haven't even paid a small amount of it."
He put down the coffee cup and started to explain: "You heard
about the terrorist attack on bus 2? Well, we came here for a
vacation: me, my wife and our four children, on Sunday. On
Tuesday evening, we went along with many others to the Kosel.
We took with us a student bus ticket as we figured we'd have
many chances to use it on our week's vacation. At close to
8:30, we got on from the back door on that bus number 2 on
our way back to the center of town. The bus, as you know, was
especially crowded and the children stood between the joints
of the bus. I went towards the bus driver while searching my
pockets for the bus pass, but it wasn't there. I checked with
my wife and kids to see if someone knew where it was. But it
was gone without a trace.
"A quick reckoning led to the conclusion that it wasn't
worthwhile investing in a whole new bus pass. Our time was
short and if I was already going to put out a large amount of
money, it was cheaper and quicker to take a taxi. We gathered
the children and got off the bus. We stopped a taxi, arrived
at the center of town, and the tragic continuation we heard
with the rest of the country a half hour later. The bus pass
had fulfilled its mission and the lives of myself and my
family were given to us as a gift.
"So now you understand who has done kindness with whom. You
are my messengers who have enabled me to express in some
small way the gratitude I feel towards my Creator! Allow me
to come here tomorrow as well; there's still much to do. As
for the bris on Sunday, leave that to me. How can I
thank Hashem for the kindness He has done for me? Any
kindness I do will seem petty and pale in comparison. Perhaps
like that of a bird trying to empty out a large lake by
taking drops out in his beak."
R' Tzvi finished his story, took a last sip and left. The
members of the family who were still up remained seated,
amazed by the story and the revelation that they were the
means by which to offer a sacrifice of thanks to Hashem and
the realization that they had themselves become indebted.
They had been living in Jerusalem only four days and had
already experienced first-hand Jerusalem stories of sorrow
and joy, relief and comfort, all intertwined but with a
common thread, the thread of greatness of spirit and
closeness to Hashem.
Because one always goes up to Jerusalem, and always feels
closer.
