וידעת עם לבבך כי כאשר ייסר איש את בנו ה' אלקיך מיסרך וגו' (ח-ה)
The following story took place a number of years ago in Ramat Elchanan in Bnei Brak. The famed mashpia, R’ Elimelech Biderman shlit’a personally knows the family to whom this happened and the story is well known in the community there. The family was preparing to marry off a daughter. They are a large family with many children, quite a few are married already and a few are still at home. It was a very stressful time for the parents because they were tight on funds and needed money to make the wedding. One of the married children, seeing that his parents were under so much stress, suggested that the family go away, maybe to a relative, for Shabbos, take a little break and rejuvenate themselves. This was a few weeks before the wedding. The parents liked the idea and they went away for Shabbos with their unmarried children.
That Motzei Shabbos, one of the married children went to the parents’ home to retrieve an item and as soon as he walked into the house, he saw that the place had been ransacked! Vandals had broken in and taken everything! All the checks the father had received from his customers that week in his store were gone. A number of gold bars from an inheritance were taken. All of the jewelry and wedding supplies for the bride, gone. The parents had borrowed thousands of Shekalim to make the wedding, and this too was stolen. The son called a few of his siblings and told them what happened. They all decided that it was important for them to be together when they broke the news to their parents as such a shock could be devastating. In the end, one son called his parents who were on their way home and broke the news slowly.
“There was a robbery in the house, but Boruch Hashem, everyone is okay,” he said, as gently as he could.
The father asked, “Was the money for the wedding taken?”
He paused for a moment before replying, “Yes.” The father asked about all the valuables, and when he heard that everything was stolen, he could not continue driving. His emotions got to him and he had to pull over to the side of the ride just to get his bearings. The married children were all informed and they all came to the house to be with their parents when they arrived. They knew their father was strong and he would be able to deal with it eventually. They were more concerned and worried about how their mother would react when she saw her house in such disarray.
A short while later, the family came home. They entered the house and looked around. The furniture was overturned, seforim and books were strewn all over, papers were piled up in disarray, and the closet shelves were systematically ransacked. The married children feared the worst - but they were in for quite a surprise. As her family stood around her, hoping to encourage her, their mother stood quietly and looked around. Then, she turned her head up and spoke in a heartrending voice: “Ribono Shel Olam, my Father in Heaven, only You know how much sorrow I have over this, but I believe B’Emunah Sheleimah, it was only You who did this. It was only because of Your abundant mercy and kindness that this happened. Robbers don’t have the ability to steal. You control everything. Even though I cannot possibly see how this is good, I’m going to trust You and I’m always going to believe in You.”
Suddenly, she opened up her arms and declared, “Hashem, please, in the merit of my Emunah, help my two children who have not yet given birth and need children themselves!” She had one daughter married for over five years without children, and another married for close to nine years without having given birth - the doctors had already given up hope for her. And then she added, “And my son who is divorced - let him find the right zivug! Please Hashem, in the merit of my Emunah!”
Unfortunately, the money and valuables were never recovered. A few weeks later, their daughter got married and the whole family was there to celebrate the modest simcha. Within the next twelve months, all three of her requests were granted - she was blessed with two beautiful grandchildren, and she brought her divorced son to the chupah!
Reacting with Emunah is very powerful. To say, “I believe, Hashem, this is for my best. I will not be broken. I will continue loving and serving You with all my heart.” We hope never to be tested, but if the test does come, it’s an opportunity for greatness.