Shabbat Nachamu: Never Give Up Faith

The Chazon Ish relayed an impactful story about Reb Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor zt"l, the great 19th century sage from Novordok. Many years ago, in a distant village, there lived a pleasant Jewish couple; the husband, let's call him Shmuel, was a merchant who saw a fair amount of success in his business dealings.

Annually, in the city of Kovno where Rav Spektor served as Chief Rabbi, a major merchants fair gathered businesspeople from all over the world who would stock up on bulk inventory to sell in their respective towns. Every year, Shmuel would travel quite a distance from his village to Kovno to purchase goods. As this was his main source of living for the upcoming year, Shmuel never failed to attend. Unfortunately, one year Shmuel fell ill right before the yearly fair and there was no way he could participate. Left without a choice, Shmuel expressed to his wife, Yaffa, “You must go to the fair this year. Don’t worry, I will explain everything that you need to know ahead of time.”

After much preparation, Yaffa, having never in her life left their little village, was on her way to the big city. As she departed, Shmuel handed his wife the most important package - the money pouch. Inside was more money than Yaffa had ever held in her life; she grasped its importance and pledged to herself to be extremely careful handling the valuable funds. After a long journey, Yaffa finally arrived in Kovno where she was awe stricken, wandering around the new city bustling with people, tall buildings, and innovative technologies. These were sights her eyes had never seen before! As Yaffa began her stroll through the marketplace, suddenly she froze and realized that the money was missing. “Oh no, this cannot be!” she quietly exclaimed. Yaffa searched high and low but could not locate the integral pouch anywhere! As the realization sunk in, it became too much for Yaffa to bear and right in the middle of the street, Yaffa fainted.

Passerby quickly surrounded poor Yaffa and immediately a fuller picture unfolded. Apparently, the pouch of money fell as Yaffa had strolled along and miraculously another Jew discovered the parcel. Then, with a sizable crowd surrounding the pair, Yaffa begged, “Please, return my money! I need it for our family’s survival!” The man cold-heartly stated that he could not simply pass over the monies, “You must understand,” said the gentleman, “I too have a family that greatly requires my support and since I found the money, I am permitted by halachah to retain my find. So, I am not giving it back.” “That can’t be!" Yaffa blurted with definitiveness, “I am taking you to the rav!” Yaffa firmly believed that the posek would rule in her favor.

Rav Elchanan, in his esteemed position as Chief Rabbi, questioned the finder, “Tell me again why you believe that the money is rightfully yours.” “Well," began the man, “I feel that the money belongs to me because the halachah states that lost money that is later found may be kept by the finder since the owner most certainly has despaired on its recovery.” “That is true,” observed Rav Elchanan, “But still, my ruling is that you must return the money pouch in its entirety.”

A packed courtroom waited anxiously for the revered rabbi to expound on his decision, “Indeed, any item that one has given up hope of retrieving despairs is considered ownerless. Although we know that Yaffa had already despaired of finding her money, however, only an owner’s despair is halachically considered a valid relinquishing of hope. Since Yaffa is not the owner of the money, rather her unknowing husband is its rightful owner, Yaffa has no entitlement to despair on someone else's money. The funds therefore must be returned to its rightful owner with haste.” Only an owner has the right to despair.

After Tish'ah B'Av, where we mourn the destruction of Beit Hamikdash and the enduring suffering of this long exile, despair seems inevitable. Hashem seeks to give us solace. Never give up hope and know that Hashem is our Master, so we have no reason or option to despair; rest assured there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The redemption is near, and the glory of Hashem and of our resolute nation will soon be restored!

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Rabbi Leeor Dahan, a graduate of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim/RSA, is well versed in aspects of halachah and has written commentary on the Mishnah Berurah, and Shulchan Aruch. Rabbi Dahan encourages his congregants at Kehilat Avodat Hashem in Hillcrest, Queens to find time in their day for the study of Torah and associated halachic customs.