The following story has been brought to you by stories to inspire.org.
Many years ago in Europe, before World War I, Russia was at war. The Russians were terribly paranoid. They did not know who was loyal and who was spying for the enemy. Because of this, they made a strict curfew. No one was allowed to have lights on after a certain hour at night.
In those days, long-distance communication was sometimes done through flickering lights, like Morse code. So the Russians instituted a rule — after a certain hour, no lights. Nobody meant nobody.
In a small Jewish town, the rabbi was sitting late at night learning Torah by candlelight. When you get into a good piece of Gemara and you’re learning deeply, you lose track of time. The rabbi became completely engrossed and forgot about the curfew.
The Russian patrol came down the street and saw a light on well past curfew. They said, “Whose house is that?” It was the rabbi’s house. They thought this was their chance to prove that the Jews were traitors.
They banged on the door. The rabbi did not hear. They broke down the front door. He still did not hear. He was in another world — a world of Abaye and Rava, a world of Torah.
They stormed into his study and shouted, “We caught you. You are sending coded messages to the enemy through your lantern.”
The rabbi looked at them and said, “Really? I am preparing a shiur in Gemara. You think I am sending codes to the next town?”
They did not listen. They shackled him in chains and took him into the White Forest. They stood him against a tree. Nine Russian soldiers with rifles formed a firing squad.
They told him they would grant him one last wish.
The rabbi said, “I would like a cup of water.”
They were surprised, but they gave it to him.
The rabbi closed his eyes. His hands were shaking. He made a Shehakol with incredible kavanah. With tears in his eyes he said, “Everything comes through Your word, Hashem. You are in control. Ein od milvado. There is no one else.”
He drank the water.
As the soldiers prepared to shoot, they suddenly heard galloping in the forest. A magnificent horse approached. On it was a highly decorated Russian general.
The general demanded, “What is going on here?”
They explained that they caught the rabbi sending codes.
The general began to laugh. “This old rabbi? These are the loyal people of Russia. These are the last people you should be shooting.”
The soldiers, seeing the general’s anger, ran away.
The rabbi was still standing with his eyes closed, waiting for the shot. He opened his eyes. The general wished him a good evening and rode off into the forest.
The next morning the rabbi stood before his congregation and announced he was making a seudat hodaah. They thought it was because he was saved from being shot.
He said, “No. The hodaah is because through Shehakol Nihyah Bidvaro I merited to see Eliyahu HaNavi.”
It is a known segulah that when a Jew is in danger among non-Jews, he should make a Shehakol. But it is not magic. It is a declaration. Shehakol Nihyah Bidvaro means everything comes from Him. Ein od milvado. There is no one else. Not even a blade of grass grows without Hashem willing it.
When we say Shehakol, we are making a tremendous statement. The entire foundation of Judaism stands on that belief.
I once tried this myself.
Three weeks ago I was driving early in the morning from Lakewood with my wife. As I exited the Belt Parkway onto Ocean Parkway, I was still going fast. Right there it becomes a 30 mile per hour zone and a police officer clocked me at over 50.
He put on his lights. My wife was panicking.
I asked her, “Do we have a bottle of water?”
She could not believe it. But she gave me water and a plastic cup.
I pulled over and made a Shehakol with full kavanah. I said, “Hashem, I am in Your hands. Whatever happens now is from You.”
The officer came over.
“Do you know how fast you were going?”
I apologized sincerely.
He looked at my license and said, “You seem like a nice guy. I’m going to let you go this time. Just slow down.”
No ticket.
At the end of the day it is not magic. It is a declaration. Hashem, You are in charge. Nothing happens unless You will it. Ein od milvado. Shehakol Nihyah Bidvaro.
These are the days when we must strengthen each other in these fundamentals of emunah. Every time we run to hear more news and anxiety sets in, we must return to this principle again and again.
Everything comes from Hashem.
Ein od milvado.
Shehakol Nihyah Bidvaro.