The following story was told by a Canadian businessman who marvels at the manner in which Hashem speaks to each and every individual. He relates:
I worked in the building supplies industry for many years, and that is where I met David. As a partner in a residential management company in Toronto, David owned and managed tens of apartment buildings across the city. He was an exceedingly wealthy and giving man, and his level of tz’dakah was equal only to the good heart that he possessed. Having serviced David’s company for several years, I became acquainted with many of his managers and staff.
A few years ago, I had a negative experience while meeting with one of his managers, which I was compelled to relate to David, as the “boss.” He nodded sympathetically but his surprising response was, “I am well aware of the deceit that some of my managers employ in operating my buildings and how I must constantly be on guard with how they treat my vendors. In fact, I rarely keep my staff for more than two years. That’s how quickly I get rid of them!”
Now it was my turn to express surprise. “David, what about your senior manager, Beta? She’s been with you for at least as long as I have known you.” He answered, “Oh, Beta is indeed a different story completely.”
He then shared with me a very interesting explanation to Beta’s longevity with the company. It seems that after managing some buildings, complaints began pouring in from tenants and vendors regarding Beta’s attitude, laxity, and general dour disposition with which she dealt with all the residents, as well as the numerous issues that would crop up. The level of disappointment reached the point where David was seriously considering firing her.
But he knew she was quite capable and suspected that something might have precipitated her recent lack of disposition. He decided to investigate what if any underlying situation could have triggered this change in her behavior. It turns out, David learned, that Beta’s husband took ill the previous year, and after a few short months, tragically passed away, leaving Beta alone with her two young children. She became depressed and despondent, and she let it out on her co-workers and tenants.
David wasn’t sure how to handle this situation. He went to ask his rabbi. “Being non-Jewish, do I still have to treat this woman with the extra sensitivity the Torah requires of us to deal with a widow and orphans?” His rabbi told him, “No. According to halachah, you may dismiss her if that is in the best interest of the business.” Yet, David’s conscience was still bothering him. Something gnawed at his insides: How can I do this to a widow and her young children?
He tried a different tactic. He proceeded to sponsor courses for her in Property Management and ESL to help her improve on her sorely lacking English. She was appreciative of David’s efforts, and there was a small improvement in her overall performance.
A while later, David’s partner, Max, was retelling a lecture he had recently attended, entitled, “The Role of the Armenians in the Holocaust.” In it, the professor spoke at length of how the Armenian people, as a whole, resisted the Nazis, refused to comply with their orders, and actually many Armenians hid and saved Jews during the war.
Fascinated at this historical anomaly, David told Max, “You know that we have an Armenian woman working for us – Beta. Maybe we should ask her if she knows about this and if she can corroborate this historical fact?”
When asked about the role of Armenians during the Nazi occupation, Beta actually perked up and said, “Yes, it is true. Many Armenians resisted the Germans and paid a heavy price. Others got away with it. In fact, I vividly recall hearing my late mother sharing with us the story of the Jewish family she hid during the war years!”
Now David realized why he was so hesitant to fire Beta. Deep down, in his heart of hearts, something was telling him to be nice to her. For a long time, he could not shake the unusual feeling, but it was his Jewish spark that was crying out. He was very pleased with his decision to retain Beta, for, through this, he feels, the Jewish people were able to repay a debt to her.
That very day, David announced to his staff: “Beta is here to stay and her job is not touchable!”
(heard from a Canadian askan)
Rabbi Dovid Hoffman is the author of the popular “Torah Tavlin” book series, filled with stories, wit and hundreds of divrei Torah, including the brand new “Torah Tavlin Yamim Noraim” in stores everywhere. You’ll love this popular series. Also look for his book, “Heroes of Spirit,” containing one hundred fascinating stories on the Holocaust. They are fantastic gifts, available in all Judaica bookstores and online at http://israelbookshoppublications.com. To receive Rabbi Hoffman’s weekly “Torah Tavlin” sheet on the parsha, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
