IT IS NEVER ENOUGH
When Avraham instructs Eliezer to go to Aram Naharyim to find a wife for Yitzchok, Eliezer raises the concern that perhaps the woman will not want to come. Avraham tells Eliezer not to worry; “HaShem Who took me from my father’s house and promised to me that my children will inherit this Land, He will send his angel before you.” Armed with the blessing of Avraham, Eliezer heads out to Aram Naharyim . When he arrives at the city well he turns in prayer to HaShem and pleads to please grant him success in finding the woman who is destined for Yitzchok.
How are we to understand Eliezer’s prayer? Avraham, the individual about whom HaShem said that he is the source of blessing for the entire world, gave him a blessing that HaShem will send His angel to insure that the woman will be found? What concern did Eliezer have that compelled him to daven for this special intervention?
Shmuel Tamir, Israel’s Minister of Justice in 1977, was considering introducing a law in the Knesset legalizing abortion. As you might imagine, there was an uproar in many communities around Israel about such a prospect. How can we allow a law that permits indiscretionate abortion ? A large group of Rabbis organized and chose several Rabbis to speak to Mr. Tamir. Among the people chosen was Rabbi Michel Stern, the Rov of Ezras Torah and Rav Raphael Levine, the son of Rav Aryeh Levine. The latter was chosen because his great father, Rav Aryeh Levine was revered even in non-religious circles.
A few days before the scheduled meeting, Rabbi Levine sent an urgent request to all the Rabbonim to please do whatever they can in having their communities pray for the success of their mission. So much was riding on this meeting they needed tremendous syata d’Shmaya.
The day came and they came to Mr. Tamir’s office. Once the Rabbonim were seated they introduced themselves. Rav Raphael introduced himself as the son of Rav Aryeh Levine. Upon hearing this Mr. Tamir’s face lit up “your father was our Rav, tell me what would you like to say.”
Rav Raphael told Shumel Tamir that he remembers how as a child a couple came to his father for advice. They had fallen into an argument whether to abort their child or not. The husband was in medical school and understood that with a child at home it would make their life difficult. The wife, however, insisted that they should have the child. After spending over an hour with Reb Aryeh, and Reb Aryeh’s blessing the couple with a beautiful baby from whom they would have much nachas, the father agreed to go ahead with the birth.
Rav Raphael then leaned closer to Mr. Tamir and continued, “not long after that meeting with my father the couple had a baby boy. They named the baby Shmuel, Shmuel Tamir. That was you.” Mr. Tamir was in utter shock “This cannot be true I never heard of such a story.” Rabbi Levine said “call your mother now”. Mr. Tamir did just that and spoke to his mother. She was caught off guard and confirmed the veracity of the story.
Mr. Tamir told the delegation that as long as he is the minister of Justice this law will never hit the floor of the Knesset.
After they left, Rav Michel turned to Rav Raphael and asked him why were you so concerned that there should be so much tefillah, you had the perfect story. Of course we would have succeeded. Rav Raphael responded that no matter how guaranteed you may be in your success, without that extra tefillah you cannot count on it.
Perhaps that is why Eliezer, too, davened one last time as well.
Have a very wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind