שלם ישלם המבעיר את הבערה (משפטים כב: ה)

The arsonist will pay in full for the burning.

A chassid, R’ Boruch Rachmis z’’l, a talmid of the Tarnopoler Rav zt’’l, bought lots of grain for a low price, planning to sell it for a higher price.  He stored the grain in his shed, and one day, a fire broke out in his shed, burning all the grain and leaving him severely in debt.

R’ Boruch visited Reb Yissocher Dov of Belz zt’’l to unburden his heart.  Reb Yissocher Dov calmed him down, saying,  שלם ישלם המבעיר את הבערה – the one that caused the fire should repay you and wished him well.

Not knowing what to do, R’ Boruch got up and left.  On his way home, he met a textile merchant offering to sell vast quantities of textile for a low price and on loan.  R’ Boruch closed the deal and became wealthy from it… because Hashem, who orchestrated the fire, paid back.

Filed under Parshas Mishpatim | The Frierdige Rov