נסנסה אברהם אבינו ועמד בכולם (אבות ה:ג)

The holy tzaddik Reb Eizik’l Ziditchover Zt’’l was very poor.  He didn’t even have money to purchase food Lekovod Shabbos.  One Erev Shabbos, his Rebbetzin cried to Reb Eizik’l that there wasn’t any money to buy food that week.

Reb Eizik’l left his house for the mikvah and, on the way, saw something sparkling on the floor. He bent down to pick up the stone, not knowing its worth since it was covered in dirt.

After Shabbos, the Rebbetzin washed the stone and realized it must be precious for its color, brilliance, and sheen. Reb Eizik’l called a diamond expert to appraise the stone’s value. The diamond dealer was amazed by the stone. It was almost the size of an egg, and its color was brilliant—such a gem was a real rarity, not just found on the streets.

Reb Eizik’l understood that the stone wasn’t a simple matter.  He did a “שאלת חכם” – asking from heaven if this stone would deduce his merits.  He was answered from heaven that HaShem saw his pain and poverty, so he was given divine assistance in the form of a stone. However, he was given a נסיון – a challenge: Either keep the stone and become very wealthy, or he can acquire the holy brain of the ARIZ’’AL to which he can attain the wisdom of the ARIZA” L.

Reb Eizik’l immediately chose the cleverness of the ARIZA’’l but asked what should be done with the stone.  He was told to throw the stone up to heaven.  Reb Eizik’l threw up the stone, and a spark of fire emitted from it, appearing as a hand. The stone disappeared