Pnina Souid
The Mitzvah Man relayed a story recently that is just one example of the special siyata d’Shmaya he and his hundreds of volunteers experience on a regular basis.
The Mitzvah Man picked up the hotline one day to find a nearly hysterical woman named Annie at the other end of the line. She was crying so hard it was difficult to understand her.
He patiently helped her to calm down and reassured her that, with Hashem’s help, he would be able to help her.
A Wedding in Danger
After a few long moments Annie told her story. Her daughter’s wedding date was only two weeks away. Annie and her husband have done everything they could to save up for a modest affair, but they were hit very hard financially by the pandemic. The caterer is demanding $5,000 right away or he will cancel. He will not accept late payment. Annie was terrified that this dreamed-of wedding may be cancelled.
“First, don’t worry,” the Mitzvah Man said. “Hashem protects the hatan and kallah. The wedding will not be cancelled. How much you need to reach $5,000?”
Annie burst into tears again. “We had so many other expenses. We don’t even have anything left to pay the caterer $5,000.I think he means it when he says he will cancel the wedding.” ”
The Mitzvah told Annie not to worry. Although $5,000 was not a small sum, he would do his best. He went on to ask what else they needed.
Annie hesitated. She hated to ask for more, but they were in desperate need of a disc jockey. They were not asking for a band or even one musician. But the kalla had dreamed of a lively wedding since she was a little girl, and even a DJ was beyond their means.
The Mitzvah Man assured Annie that he and his team would do their best, so her daughter could have the lively wedding she was hoping for and deserved.
As the Mitzvah Man hung up the phone he put in a prayer, and asked Hashem to help him to get Annie to get everything she needed. He has learned from years of hesed work that one always needs Divine Providence, and the more emunah and bitachon he has, the more Hashem provides.
Side by Side Miracles
The day after Annie called, one of the Mitzvah Man’s business clients called. “I just made a fantastic real estate deal. The ma’aser from the deal is $5,000. I want to give it to help make a wedding for a needy bride.”
The Mitzvah Man was stunned. He told Jerry about Annie’s call. She needed exactly $5,000 for the caterer.
Jerry, repeated that this money must go only to help make a wedding for a needy bride.
“Jerry,” the Mitzvah Man said, “I just got the call yesterday. You will be doing a phenomenal mitzvah. You are not just giving tzedaka. You are fulfilling the mitzvah of being m’samayach hatan v’ kallah! This brings you tremendous merit. And, honestly, I am in awe of Hashem, because He responded to the tears of the kallah’s mother and pulled all the strings.”
Jerry gave the Mitzvah Man the address of his office in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn and told him to come the next day for the check.
After speaking with Jerry, the Mitzvah Man called Annie to tell her that the $5,000 was on its way. She was speechless. Then, she thanked the Mitzvah Man profusely. She was embarrassed to ask for more, but in a quiet voice she enquired about the DJ. He told her that was not yet arranged, but he had not forgotten.
The next day the Mitzvah Man went to Jerry’s office, which was located on the second floor. After collecting the check from Jerry, the Mitzvah Man noticed an entertainment center on the first floor. He didn’t pay much attention to it, and left the building. On his way to the car he heard someone calling him. “Are you Mike Cohen from Mitzvah Man?” the fellow asked. The Mitzvah Man responded affirmatively.
The man told him that he recognized him and wanted to offer his DJ services free of charge for any needy bride’s wedding.
The Mitzvah Man stopped in his tracks. What a beautiful exhibit of Divine Intervention – “two for one!” Annie was overwhelmed with gratitude, to the Mitzvah Man, the donors, and especially to Hashem.