Hashem’s Kindness Through His People

One of the most beautiful ways that Hashem shows His love for His children is through the hearts of other Jews. Although Hashem alone performs every yeshuah, many times He chooses to do it through people who open their hearts and willingly become His messengers. Every act of chesed is much more than one person helping another. It is Hashem's kindness flowing through the hands of one of His children. A man whom we'll call Alan told me that 25 years ago, someone knocked on his door and entered his home crying uncontrollably. After calming him down, the man explained that he had been married for nine years. He had a very happy marriage and loved his wife dearly, but because they had not been blessed with children, and apparently the medical issue was with him, she had reached the point where she wanted a divorce. He had gone to Hadassah Hospital in Israel for one last attempt, and he was told there that perhaps there was one specialist in Brooklyn who might be able to help. But after years of treatments, the couple had used up every last penny they had. The doctor's fee was $28,000, and they had no way to pay for it. The man had come to Alan to ask for financial help. Alan immediately assured him that he would take care of the money one way or another. After the man left, Alan called his daughter, whose husband knew the doctor, and asked her to see what could be done. His daughter contacted a generous individual and explained the situation. Without even taking time to think, the philanthropist replied, "I'll pay for the entire procedure. Tell the Dr. to bill me the $28,000, but don't tell the couple who paid. I want to remain anonymous." With that, the treatments began. About six weeks later, the doctor shared the wonderful news that the wife was expecting. Soon afterward, they found out she was carrying twins, and a short time later they discovered it was actually triplets. After nine years of waiting, the couple was blessed with three healthy babies—the only children they would ever have.Twenty-five years later, baruch Hashem, all three are married. When the anonymous donor heard the news of the birth, he was overjoyed. "Triplets? I can't believe it! They're going to need even more help now." Without even being asked, he contributed again. He gave a check for $5,000 to help with the expenses of the babies. Alan, who had answered the knock on his door that day, also wanted to participate financially. He asked his daughter to find out who the anonymous donor was so that he, too, could share in the zechut of bringing these three precious neshamot into the world. The donor insisted on remaining anonymous, but he agreed to let Alan participate by sending in a contribution. The triplets were certainly a miracle, but there is another inspiring lesson here as well. Look how these Jews responded to another person's pain. Nobody asked, "What's in it for me?" No one hesitated because the amount was too large. They saw another Jew suffering and did whatever they could to help. Perhaps it was their mesirut nefesh that became the catalyst for these miraculous babies to come into the world. Hashem could have brought this couple their yeshuah in many different ways, yet He chose to bring it through the kindness of His people. He gave one Jew the opportunity to open his door and lend a listening ear, another the opportunity to make a phone call, another the opportunity to give generously, and a doctor the opportunity to become a shaliach. Hashem allowed each of these people to become His partners in bringing three precious children into the world. Every act of chesed creates far more than we can imagine. We never know how many lives will be changed because we chose to help another person. When we open our hearts to our fellow Jews, we become the hands through which Hashem's infinite kindness is revealed in this world.