Messengers Everywhere

Living Emunah By Rabbi David Ashear

The Sefer Oznayim LaTorah relates a story passed down through a chain of tradition: From the Brisker Rav, who heard it from his father, Rav Chaim, who heard it from another rabbi, person to person, back to the one who experienced it. On one occasion, Napoleon visited a small city in Poland. The local leaders and dignitaries prepared a grand reception for him, each taking turns to extol his praises. In the middle of the event, Napoleon asked why no one was there to represent the Jewish community. Immediately, some people went to search for a Jew. They returned ten minutes later with an elderly rabbi, one of the only Jews in the area. Napoleon then asked the rabbi to say a few words. The rabbi replied that he was not accustomed to speaking about monarchy, as he only knew how to speak words of Torah. Napoleon encouraged him to share some Torah, as he had already received enough praise. The rabbi then quoted a pasuk from Parashat Vayeshev regarding Yosef speaking to the sar hamashkim in prison. Yosef told him he would be reinstated as the chief wine steward for the king and then said, " כי אם זכרתני "—mention me to Pharaoh when you are freed. The rabbi posed a question: The words כי אם suggest they are providing a reason for what was previously stated. Seemingly, it should have said instead, וזכרתני . He explained that Yosef was telling the sar hamashkim , "It doesn't make sense that you were imprisoned in the first place. When a man of stature like yourself is accused of a crime, an investigation is conducted, and only after guilt is established is he jailed. Yet you did nothing wrong and were still imprisoned. The only reason you are here now, and leaving soon, is " כי אם זכרתני " —so you can mention my name to the king and secure my release. I too was imprisoned unjustly." The rabbi then turned to Napoleon and said, "My great emperor, how is it that you are here now in this small town in Poland, so far from your palace? Perhaps this is G-d sending you to witness the plight of the Jews here. We are treated unfairly. We are beaten and killed for no reason. Please save us from the torture we endure." The lesson here is clear. Hashem sends His messengers to different places at different times to accomplish what He wills. No matter where we are, we can trust that help is always possible, for Hashem can easily place one of His messengers to assist us. Rabbi Binyamin Pruzansky tells a story that illustrates this idea. A young man named Eli traveled with friends by car from Brooklyn to Toronto for a wedding. He planned to return with them on Thursday night, but changed his mind and decided to fly back alone the next morning. After his friends departed, he stayed at a hotel near the airport. When he was checking in for his flight the next day, Eli realized he had left his passport in his luggage, which was in the car that had already returned to Brooklyn. Now stranded at the airport on Erev Shabbat with no way to get home, he pleaded with the airline agent to let him board without his passport, but the request was denied. Desperate, Eli moved to the side and prayed to Hashem for help. Just then, a man in sandals and a straw hat approached him and asked, "What's the matter? You look miserable." Eli turned around and saw someone who didn't look like what he imagined a heavenly messenger would. But he had no choice but to explain his situation. The man responded, "A citizen is always allowed to return to their country of origin. That's the law. Even if you don't have a passport, they must let you board the plane." He instructed Eli to return to the desk and assert this point. Eli followed the advice, and at first, the agent refused to comply. Eli persisted, saying, "It's the law." The agent went to investigate and, after confirming the information, allowed Eli to board. Hashem puts His messengers everywhere. No matter where we are, we can always be helped.