The Gemara records numerous other incidents of sages going to great lengths to satisfy the needs of poor people who were once wealthy. The most telling incident concerns a poor man who approached Raba for tzedakah. Raba asked him: “What do your meals consist of?” He answered: “Of fat chicken and aged wine.” Raba asked: “Have you not considered the burden to the community?” The man responded: “Is it theirs that I eat? I eat the food of the All-Merciful – Hashem, as Psalms 145:15 states, “Einei kol eilecha yasaberu v’Ata notein lahem et achlam be’ito – The eyes of all look to You [Hashem] with hope, and You give them their food in his proper time.” It does not say “in their proper time,” but rather “in his proper time.” Thus we learn that Hashem provides for each and every person according to his need.”
What happened next is truly remarkable, if not miraculous. Just then, Raba’s sister, whom he had not seen for 13 years, arrived and brought fat chicken and aged wine for her brother! Upon seeing the food, Raba exclaimed, “I have spoken too much.” He then beckoned to the man and said, “Come and eat.”
(To be continued)
