Trading The Car For Torah

Israel’s Independence Day, Yom Ha’atzmaut, is a day when the entire country has off from work. In the religious community, this day is used as a time for mass learning programs and shiurei Torah. Rabbis deliver Torah classes all day to the men who are off from work in communities nationwide.

One shul in Rishon L’Tzion is renowned for its massive learning program, attended annually by 600. One year, however, the gabbai made an announcement that the learning program was canceled, explaining its burdensome and exuberant cost of 45,000 shekel. The shul was undergoing renovations draining its budget leaving no funds to cover the program forcing its cancellation.

Dovid Azoulay, a regular program participant, was very perturbed when he heard of the plan and approached the gabbai, “You simply cannot cancel the shiurim!”

In agreement that this was a drastic step, the gabbai replied, “What can I do? We need our funds to cover the construction.”

Dissatisfied, Dovid agreed to fundraise the costs, and immediately returned home to print up a “for sale” signage. Dovid had decided to sell his only vehicle in exchange for the program running another year. The sale meant that he, his wife, and their children would now need to use public transportation as they were losing their sole means to maneuver.

Still, Dovid was ready and willing to take this upon himself so 600 men could study  Torah on their day off from work.

A buyer soon emerged, and after adding a little money from his own pocket, he accrued the 45,000 shekel necessary and brought the sum to a shocked gabbai amazed at how fast he gathered the funds.

“Where did you get this money from?” the gabbai inquired. “I sold my car,” Dovid answered simply.

Dovid did not sell his car a personal reason, rather for the glory of the Torah so could learn and hear shiurim!

Dovid was employed at a high-tech company, and one day not long after this episode his boss summoned him, “I have a tremendous reward for your selfless deed.”

Surprised his boss knew of the sale of the car, the boss explained that the whole city was talking of kiddush Hashem made by selling the vehicle for the sake of Torah.”

Then the boss related an astounding tale of an American car leasing firm desiring to enter the Israeli market and reached out to see if he knew two men to act as agents manning the new branches. In turn, the company agreed to provide brand-new cars for these agents. “As soon as I heard your story, I knew that Dovid Azoulay is the right guy for this job," said the boss. "Here are the keys to your new car.”

While the story is incredible, the most inspiring part is not that Hashem hooked Dovid up with a new car, because the Almighty is able to do anything and that is not a chiddush.

Isn't it amazing that Dovid Azoulay, a Jew who works all day to support his family, made such a remarkable Kiddush Hashem, sacrificing his family vehicle for the sake of the Torah!

That is what is meant when it is said that every person has his personal portion of Torah. What this person accomplished, nobody else would have done. Every person has his share. B’shvili nivrah haolam, the world was created for each of us and we must do whatever we can for Hakadosh Baruch Hu!

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Rabbi Yaakov Rahimi has created a storm in the Jewish world bringing back many unaffiliated young men and women to the pathways of Hashem. He has been involved in the Chazaq and Torah Anytime organizations, among others including NCSY, BJX, and Partners in Torah. He has since returned to his hometown of Lakewood, N.J. Rabbi Rahimi is a graduate of Deal Yeshiva, and learned in Beth Medrash Govoha becoming a very close talmid of Rabbis Yeruchem Olshin shlit"a, and Yitzchok Sorotzkin shlit"a. Rabbi Rahimi partook in the Sephardic halachic project Mishnah Berurah Tiferet. He can be reached at, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..