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We find a seemingly similar occurrence with Avraham Avinu and with Bilaam, the wicked prophet. The Torah reports that each of them “arose early in the morning and saddled his donkey.” In Hebrew, the word yachavosh (יחבוש – saddled) is closely related to kibush (כיבוש – to conquer). Likewise, the word chamor (חמור – donkey) resembles chomer (חומר – physicality).

The following story was told over by R’ Yitzchok Zilberstein shlit’a, who marvels at the greatness of a Jew to become a “partner” with Hakadosh Boruch Hu and merit tremendous z’chusim and even miracles on his behalf.

The episode of the five daughters of Tzelafchad is mentioned two different times in the Torah: in Parshas Pinchos and Parshas Maasei. (Tzelafchad himself is also referenced in Parshas Shelach as the mekosheish eitzim.) A basic principle in the Torah is: “Biglal nashim tzidkaniyos nigalu avoseinu miMitzrayim – Because of the righteous women, our forefathers were redeemed from Egypt.”

The following story took place a number of years ago in Ramat Elchanan in Bnei Brak. The famed mashpia, R’ Elimelech Biderman shlit’a, personally knows the family to whom this happened, and the story is well known in the community there.

One person who was never intimidated by people of power and influence was the great Telsher Rosh HaYeshivah, R’ Mordechai Gifter zt”l. His passion for Torah was combined with his incredible common sense and practical view of the world. He learned this outlook and hashkafah in Telz, in Lithuania. He saw it in his father-in-law, R’ Zalman Bloch zt”l Hy”d, and the Roshei HaYeshivah, R’ Avraham Yitzchok Bloch zt”l Hy”d, and R’ Elya Meir Bloch zt”l.

When the Chazon Ish zt”l departed Vilna for Eretz Yisrael in 1933, a small sum of money was owed to a distributor who supplied his wife’s store with merchandise. Despite many sincere efforts on behalf of the Rebbetzin, she could not locate the person and repay the debt. Twenty years later, after the Chazon Ish passed away in 1953, the creditor, who had relocated to Tel Aviv, heard the news on the radio and attended the funeral. Before it began, he happened to mention to Rav Shmaryahu Karelitz zt”l, a nephew of the Chazon Ish, that his uncle had once owed him money from 40 years ago. Rav Shmaryahu immediately repaid the outstanding sum and, even before the Chazon Ish was buried, the full debt had been discharged.