The meshulach watched as David’s hands shook violently as he handed Tzaddok a satchel of coins
David was soon stealing so regularly that he rarely admitted it to himself. He justified his actions with all sorts of excuses and before long a massive pile of coins that really belonged to Jacob ended up inside a safe in the back of David’s bedroom.
Late at night was when his conscience would awaken and whisper rebukes to him as he tried to sleep.
How can you commit such a terrible aveirah! You are a G-d-fearing Jew, not a common thief off the streets!
David would toss and turn, combating his good thoughts with evil ones from the yetzer hara.
It’s not really stealing! I deserve the extra money for putting in the extra effort. Everything we’ve built is mostly because of my own hard work and clever business tricks.
Stop lying to yourself! You would still be a ragged beggar roaming the streets if it weren’t for the kindness of Hashem. If not for the help from Moshe, you wouldn’t have a single coin to your name. You owe everything to Hashem, yet you dare go against His will!
It’s too late… How can I fix things? If I put the money back, Jacob will figure it out.
So speak to him and tell him the truth. Or, at least begin to put back the money slowly.
Okay, tomorrow.
But every time, when morning would arrive, David would have a change of heart and seal his lips from saying anything about the stolen coins to Jacob. As his inner battle with greed raged on, his health began to deteriorate. His hair began to fall out, he lost weight, and his hands shook when he became stressed.
**************************
“David, a guest from the Holy Land is here to see you.”
Jacob called David to the front of the store where a meshulach, a money collector, from Eretz Yisrael was waiting for him.
“Shalom, Tzaddok! Good to see you again.”
“Shalom, David! Good to see you, as well! I remembered your generous donation last year, so I’ve returned to seek your kindness once more.”
“Come to the back of the store, I have money for you.”
The meshulach watched as David’s hands shook violently as he handed Tzaddok a satchel of coins.
“Thievery!” the meshulach hissed, his eyes narrowing.
“W-what?” David fell back in shock. “What did you just say?”
“Stress is robbing you of menuchas hanefesh, peace of mind. A tzaddik like you should not be so shaken and frail!”
David regained his composure and swallowed hard.
“What can I do? It isn’t easy being in business and dealing with... so much money.”
“I feel for you.” The meshulach thought for a moment. “You know what I think, my friend? I think you should travel to Eretz Yisrael. Take a well-deserved break from your rigorous schedule and spend a month or two in the land of milk and honey, davening at all of the holy sites and soaking up the land’s kedushah.”
“It sounds wonderful.” David’s eyes misted over. “I-I can’t remember the last time I took a break.”
“So what are you waiting for? Go!”
“I have to ask my partner for permission first,” David said. “It won’t be easy for him to handle all of the responsibilities on his own while I’m away. Also, my family must approve.”
