Rabi Chanina was such a holy Tanna that every day a bas kol from Shamayim announced “The entire world is nourished in the merit of Chanina My son.” HaKadosh Baruch Hu made sure that every living creature had enough food to eat all in Rabi Chanina’s zchus! Yet Rabi Chanina himself lived in poverty as the bas kol went on to say: “But Chanina My son suffices with a small measure of carobs.”

Had Rabi Chanina wanted to benefit from some of the bounty Hashem sent to the world he could have easily asked for it and his wish would immediately have been granted but it was Rabi Chanina’s sincere desire to live simply.

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