SALVATION IN TORONTO

By Nechama Bar

R’ Shlomo, the rosh yeshiva, paced his room. He was wracking his brains, trying to find a solution to a serious problem.

For three months, the teachers have not been paid … there are big debts owed for food … the rent for half a year hasn’t been paid yet …

He kept reviewing all the yeshiva’s growing debts.

He called a meeting, intending, for the first time, to openly discuss the situation.

He looked off into the distance and said, “You are personally suffering the yeshiva’s big money problems. Believe me, I am doing everything I can but this past year we received fewer donations, many parents cannot pay tuition, and the situation is not good.”

The staff listened tensely, waiting for his next sentence. So what were they going to do?

R’ Shlomo cleared his throat and said, “There is no way out. I must take a three month trip to the United States to fundraise. I never dealt with fundraising, I never knocked on doors and asked for a donation, but…” There was a tremor in his voice, “The reality forces me to do so. The trip is planned for this coming week. I hope I will be successful. Pray and continue working devotedly as you have until now.”

A few days went by. R’ Shlomo went from one fancy house to another in an exclusive neighborhood in the US. However, his mind and heart were not free to enjoy his beautiful surroundings. In his hand he held a list of rich people who lived in the area. He hoped that from these magnificent homes he would get some nice donations.

He stood embarrassed before the first rich man on his list and told him about the yeshiva’s tough situation. The man took $50 out of his wallet and gave it to him.

“Is that all?” he asked in open disappointment. The man nodded and motioned toward the exit.

That was not an auspicious beginning. With small sums like that he would not even begin to cover his debts of tens of thousands of dollars.

To his great sorrow, that is how things continued. The list of rich men had all been checked off. He had visited them all but he did not have much to show for it.

R’ Shlomo walked down the street sadly. In two days he would be flying home. What will I tell the staff when I return? How can I look them in the face?

A light pat on the shoulder jarred him from his thoughts. “Sholom Aleichem, R’ Shlomo, my friend. How good it is to see you! What brings you here – a family simcha?” asked his friend whom he bumped into on the street.

“The truth is, the reason for my visit is not so happy. The situation … the financial situation, is not good. The yeshiva has enormous debts and I came to fundraise. In two days I’m going home but I don’t have good news. I was not successful.”

His friend was a Lubavitcher Chassid and he looked at R’ Shlomo’s sad face and said encouragingly, “Go to the Rebbe. He is the only one who can help you. Many were saved with his blessings.”

R’ Shlomo was not a Lubavitcher Chassid and he had never been to see the Rebbe. Nevertheless, he was willing to follow up with this suggestion. What did he have to lose?

His friend used his connections and was able to arrange for an appointment for him for the next day. In yechidus, R’ Shlomo told the Rebbe about the difficult situation the yeshiva was in.

“When are you planning on returning to Eretz Yisroel?” asked the Rebbe.

“Tomorrow,” he said.

The Rebbe gazed at him and said, “Why not go via Toronto?”

R’ Shlomo thought, “Some idea … I’ve spent three months traveling around the US and Canada, including Toronto. Why should I go back there?” Out of respect, he did not say anything.

When he left the room, his friend was waiting impatiently. What did the Rebbe say? R’ Shlomo told him and made a dismissive motion with his hand.

“Don’t disparage what the Rebbe said! You must go to Toronto! The Rebbe is never mistaken. If the Rebbe is sending you there, that is where your help will be found.”

R’ Shlomo did not even have the money to change his ticket but his friend, who cared for him, offered to give him the money he needed. R’ Shlomo accepted it.

The next day, R’ Shlomo took a flight to Toronto. He tried to make himself comfortable in the narrow seat, hoping to take a nap, though without success. Next to him sat a young Jew. They got into a friendly conversation. The rosh yeshiva told his seatmate the reason for his trip and the young man said, “I work at an insurance company and my boss is Jewish. He usually doesn’t give donations to charity but it’s worth trying.”

R’ Shlomo regarded this as a sign from heaven and seized the opportunity like a drowning person seizes a life preserver.

The young man made an appointment with his boss and when R’ Shlomo entered he began discussing all the yeshiva’s financial difficulties.

“How much money do you need?” the boss asked.

“Our debt is $22,000,” he said, as he waited for some small bill the man might take out of his wallet. To his surprise, the man took out his checkbook and wrote a check for the full amount!

“You’re kidding, right? You couldn’t have been convinced in five minutes to make such a generous donation!” R’ Shlomo said in shock, trying to figure out if the man was serious or not.

“I am serious, and the check is real. I will tell you why I am making such a big contribution. Last night, my father came to me in a dream and said to me, ‘If you want to do something good for me, please give charity.’

“The dream was so vivid and I promised my father I would do so. Now you come to me and ask for tz’daka. You told me you need $22,000. Today marks the day my father passed away. Do you know how many years ago he died? Twenty-two. Is there a clearer sign than that?”