Once upon a time, somewhere in a Lithuanian village, a certain Eliezer Lipman, known for his wealth and generosity, meets a beggar on the way to the village. He stops his carriage and invites him to get in.
The beggar refuses: “I still have not earned anything all day.”
“How much could you possibly earn?”
“A lot. Twenty five ducats, Maybe”
“I will give them to you, come along.”
“No” says the stubborn beggar, “I can’t “
“Why not? Since you won’t lose anything!”
“True- but money is not everything. I must think of the people who regularly, once a week, open their doors and hearts to me. If they don’t see me today, they’ll worry.”
“Don’t let that worry you, I’ll go myself—I’ll go from door to door—to reassure them on your behalf. But do come along— I can’t bear to see you walk so far”
Dropping his mask, the beggar—a messenger in disguise— congratulates Eliezer on passing the test. “As a reward, you may look into your future. The fact is, you have only one year to live. I tell you this to you so that you use the time to good advantage and put some order into your life.”
Eliezer gave up his business and devoted himself so completely and exclusively to serving God, that he was granted a twenty year reprieve.
And five children including Zusia and Elimelekh.
Elie Wiesel
from Souls on Fire
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