B"H

Tuesday, Mar-Cheshvan 25, 5785 / November 26, 2024

The following is a Talmudic story about Rabbi Nachum Ish Gam Zu, which illustrates how true belief in the concept that, "Whatever G-d does is for the good," actually transformed a potentially disastrous situation into a great miracle.

Rabbi Nachum, one of the Talmudic sages, was known as Nachum Ish Gam Zu, for no matter what happened to him, Rabbi Nachum would say, "Gam Zu L'Tovah" - "This is also for the good".

Once, the Romans made a harsh decree against the Jews in Israel. It was decided to send Rabbi Nachum to plead with the king, because, "He is used to having miracles performed for him!"  

Rabbi Nachum went to Rome with a box full of gold and precious stones as a gift to the king.  On the way, he stopped overnight at an inn.  While Rabbi Nachum was asleep, the innkeeper stole the valuables and filled the box with earth instead.

In the morning, when Rabbi Nachum opened the box and saw the earth, he was puzzled, but said, "Gam Zu L'Tovah - this is also for the good."  He took the box and continued on to Rome.

Rabbi Nachum presented the king with the box. "This is a gift from the Jews," he told the king.  The king opened the box and became very angry.  "The Jews are mocking me!  I will kill them all!" he cried.  Rabbi Nachum didn't become frightened and said, "Gam Zu L'Tovah - this is also for the good!"

G-d then sent Eliyahu Hanavi (Elijah the prophet) disguised as one of the king's advisers.   He said to the king, "The Jews wouldn't make fun of you.  This earth must be special.  I have heard that when their forefather Abraham fought against the mighty army of the four kings, he threw sand at them and G-d transformed the sand into arrows and therefore he won the war!   Maybe this earth is the same." 

The king, who was at war with a neighboring country, tested it and G-d made a miracle and transformed the earth into arrows.

Not only did the king nullify his evil decree, he also had the box filled with precious stones and sent it back with Rabbi Nachum as a gift to the Jewish people.

On his return home, Rabbi Nachum stayed over at the same inn.  When the innkeeper heard what happened, he said, "I had no idea that my earth was so valuable.  I will fill a whole carriage full of earth and bring it to the king.  He will surely reward me handsomely!"   The innkeeper came to the king with his load of earth claiming that it was the same earth as the one Rabbi Nachum brought.  The king tested it, but nothing happened.  The innkeeper, naturally, was punished.

During these difficult times, we have to remember the lesson from Rabbi Nachum, "Gam Zu L'Tovah - this is also for the good!"   We must have faith, think positively and things will be positive!"

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

    UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW