Spiritual Tools-Slonim-Bitachon

The 28th of Adar is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Mordechai Kastelanitz of Lecovitz, the father of the Slonim Chassidic dynasty, immigrated to Chevron in 1844 (1837-1916). A man once heard a sermon to the effect that Providence allots to each one his livelihood and does not permit him to be cheated of it. It was the man’s custom to arise before daylight on market days, to walk out of the village in order to meet the farmers bringing in their produce, and to drive bargains with them before they reached the marketplace. He would, thereupon, resell the produce at higher prices and thus gain his livelihood. Other middlemen did the same, and each strove to buy the entire produce of the farmers at the best prices.

After hearing the Rabbi’s discourse the middleman resolved to act upon the counsel to have trust in God. He determined henceforth, to await the arrival of the farmers in the town. When market day came, his wife roused him as usual before sunrise, but he refused to wake up, asserting that the farmers would find it necessary to visit his house in order to sell their produce.

“I am convinced,” he said, “that I cannot be deprived of my profit.”

In a few hours, he was awakened again by loud knocks on his window shutters, and by repeated cries, “Where is Hershel? We wish to deal with Hershel, as usual!”

This is an example of the reward meted out to a person of simple heart, with true confidence in God. (Ohr Yesharim, page 43)