Who Gave You Permission To Give Up?

There was once a man who went through all the tribulations of Siberia together with the famed Maggid, R’ Yaakov Galinsky shlit”a. After their freedom, he found out that he was the only survivor of his family and was alone in the world. He was broken and saw no reason to live. R’ Yaakov felt that he needed some chizuk to strengthen his resolve and brought him to the home of the Chazon Ish, R’ Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz zt”l.

The Chazon Ish listened intently as the man poured out his heart and explained how he felt he had no reason to go on living. When the man finished, the Chazon Ish began to speak.

“I want to tell you about a din Torah (halachic judgment) that came before the great posek, R’ Yitzchok Elchanan Spector zt”l. There was a fellow who learned Torah all day, and his wife supported the house by going to the big city, buying merchandise, and then selling it at a profit. One day, to her misfortune, she lost her purse containing all her money in the big city. Her world became dark, as all her money was in it. She came to the rav of the city and requested that he announce that if anyone found a purse, they should bring it to the rav.

“A poor Jew came forward and said that he found a purse. The woman gave all the simanim (identifying signs) to indicate it was hers. At this point, the poor Jew said, ‘Rebbi, I also learned in cheder that if one finds a lost item in a city that is mostly gentiles, he may keep it because the owners have given up on the item, assuming a gentile will find it and keep it. I have a child to marry off, and I need this money like my body needs air to breathe. When I found it, I was happy that Hashem sent me a present from Heaven. The rav announced to bring it, so I have, but I’m letting the rav know that if, halachically, according to the law, the money can be kept by the finder since this is a city of mostly gentiles, I will not forgo it.’

“The rav was in a quandary about what to do. On the one hand, everyone knew that the money belonged to the woman. It was all she had, and her financial situation — her life savings — depended on it. On the other hand, the poor Jew had the halacha on his side. This was a city of mostly gentiles, and anyone finding an item there is entitled to keep it.”

At this point, the Chazon Ish stopped his story and asked the man what he would decide on the matter. The fellow shrugged his shoulders and said, “Sounds like an unfortunate woman.” Apparently, the poor Jew was correct.

The Chazon Ish continued that the rav of the city initially felt this way but sent the case to R’ Yitzchok Elchanan, the Kovno Rav, for his decision. He responded that, according to the law, the poor Jew must return the money to the woman.

The friend of R’ Galinsky interjected, “According to the law? I could understand if he said it was lifnim mishuras hadin — above the letter of the law — and it would be a nice thing to return it. But why is this the actual law?”

The Chazon Ish explained: “The foundation of the halacha that one who finds a lost item in a city of mostly gentiles may keep it is based on the assumption that the owners have likely given up on the item, believing that a gentile will find it and keep it. However, here the money was the woman’s, and we know from the Gemara (Gittin 57a) that what a wife acquires belongs to her husband. Her husband had no idea that the money was lost; consequently, he — the real owner — didn’t give up hope. Therefore, the poor Jew must return the money according to the letter of the law.”

The eyes of R’ Galinsky’s friend shone as he said with awe and astonishment, “Brilliant! What ingenuity!”

The Chazon Ish turned toward this fellow and gave him a piercing look: “These words apply to you as well. Who gave you permission to give up? Even when a sharp sword is on your neck, you shouldn’t give up! Are you the owner of your situation or your life? We are all agents of Hashem, and He allots our mission in life. We have to do what is obligated upon us and pray for our success! Who gave you the right to give up?”

The man sat quietly, head bowed in submission for quite some time, absorbing this lesson deeply. R’ Galinsky later reported that the fellow left the Chazon Ish a different person — a changed man.

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.