We continue with beautiful thoughts from Rav Pam, quoting from his sefer Atara L’Melech ( page 178):
Rav Pam said that Whenever one is presented with an opportunity to do hessed, one should see the moment, for Hashem may be offering him a chance to attain a merit that is crucial for his destiny. He proves it from the story of Rachel. The Torah tells us in Bereshit (30,22)
ויזכר אלקים את רחל
And Hashem remembered Rachel.
What did He remember?
Rashi tells us from the Bereshit Rabba that Rachel was silent for her sister’s sake. When Lavan presented Yaakov with Leah instead of Rachel, Rachel knew but she remained silent. Therefore, Vayizkor Elokim, God remembered Rachel
But the name Elokim usually means judgement. So Rachel deserved a child, because she selflessly allowed her sister to take her place under the marriage canopy. Rav Pam says that if we look at this with a different lens, Hashem actually did a kindness to Rachel. 14 years earlier, before Yosef’s birth, Hashem arranged an opportunity for Rachel to attain the merit that she needed, in order to miraculously bear a child and become one of the Imahot. How awesome would the loss be, had Rachel not seized the opportunity to do this kindness for her sister?!
We may look at this as if simply, Rachel had a zechut/merit. But really, Hashem prepared that zechut for her, because she needed it in her zechut bank.
Therefore, Rav Pam says that a person should always be very zealous whenever an opportunity for Hessed comes his way. He should realize that the ways of Hashem are hidden, and who knows if this opportunity is not actually a manifestation of Hashem‘s attribute of kindness towards him? You may think that you are doing the other fellow a favor, but Hashem is actually doing a kindness for you.
As it says in Megilat Esther, the king held out his scepter and Esther touched the tip..Who knows if this chance to do a hessed is not Hashem reaching out His scepter to you, and giving you an opportunity to touch the tip?
This is an important principle, that we have mentioned in the past. Any time a person has a chance to do a Hessed, he has to view it as an opportunity. Hashem just gave you an opportunity for zechut.
A great man in our community once told me that every year, Hashem gives him a great opportunity to do kindness. There was a problem in Argentina that year, and he said, “This year, Hashem gave me Argentina and I took on that project.” And every year, he sees another opportunity that Hashem sends him.
That is how we have to look at it, instead of, “Oh no! Why do we keep on having these charity drives? Ukraine, but Matanot LaEvyonim… How many causes are there? How many parlor meetings are there?”
Don’t look at it that way. Rather, ask yourself, “How many opportunities are there!”
Seize the moment.
Have a wonderful day.