Rashi explains that Moshe’s enemies were not really dead; they had been reduced to poverty and had no power whatsoever; it was as if they were dead. Dasan and Aviram, Moshe’s nemeses, had lost their possessions and, consequently, their positions of power. Moshe could now return to Egypt with nothing to fear. It is interesting how what one thinks is a terrible curse could in truth be a wonderful blessing in disguise. They tell a story about a certain chasid whose whole fortune overturned, and he went bankrupt. Penniless, he traveled to his Rebbe, the Chidushei Ha’rim, zl. He asked if he could travel to America where he had wealthy relatives who would be happy to help him to get back on his feet financially. Surprisingly, the Rebbe said, “No.” When asked if he could, at least, write to them for funds, the Rebbe once again was emphatic in his dissent.
The chasid could not understand why the Rebbe would not permit him to request aid from his family, but he accepted his lot and went home. The situation at home became increasingly worse. There was no money and no food. He decided to once again ask the Rebbe’s advice about contacting his relatives in America for aid. “Rebbe, I have no alternative but to turn to my relatives,” begged the chasid. “What more can I tell you, “ said the Gerrer Rebbe, “I am against it, and that is my final word!”
The chasid could not hold out any longer. He wrote to his relatives, who immediately sent him money. This continued a number of times; he wrote, and they sent money. The situation at home turned around. There was now money for food, clothes, and other necessities. Suddenly the chasid became very ill. As each day went by, the chasid became weaker and weaker. He felt that he was being punished for transgressing the Rebbe’s command. He dispatched a close friend to the Rebbe to ask his forgiveness and to implore his prayer on his behalf.
The friend went into the Gerrer Rebbe who, after listening attentively to all that occurred, remained still. He then responded, “My friend, at times when the members of the Heavenly Tribunal decree that a person die prematurely, they will reduce the decree by taking away his possessions. One who is poverty-stricken is like a dead man. Other times, they strike him with extreme pain or anguish. These circumstances are a blessing in disguise, for they take the place of the dread decree of death. Your friend, who was destined to die, was saved by his abject poverty. I, therefore, did not permit him to alter his circumstances by contacting his relatives. Alas, he did not listen to me, and now it is too late.” When the friend returned to his town to relay the Rebbe’s message to the chasid, it was too late. The chasid had already passed away. We never know what Hashem has in store for us, or why He is putting us through what we perceive to be very challenging situations. We should place our trust in Him that whatever He decrees is for the good.
