One day, he visited a small town in the province of Kishinev and was informed that the community had declared a public fast because of a drought. Upon entering the local inn, Reb Moshe Chaim Ephraim ordered the inn keeper to prepare a sumptuous feast for him and his followers. The rav of the community was informed and immediately came to Reb Moshe Chaim Ephraim complaining:
“Oh Master, why do you violate our edict? Don’t you know that unless it rains, we are in danger of starvation?”
“Fools,” he replied, “you are seeking a bountiful harvest, and yet you show G-d that you can exist on very little food. You are proving that you can get along without food and water, so why should G-d give you any?
“On the other hand, if you eat well and then pray to G-d, He will have to make it rain to make sure that you continue eating well
“Therefore does our Torah state (Devarim 8:10) ‘And you shall bless the L-rd your G-d.’ So did the prophet declared (Yoel 2:26), ‘You shall eat your fill, be satisfied, and then you shall bless the L-rd your G-d.’”