Living Emunah 2712 The Depth of Hashgacha Everything that happens in this world is precisely calculated and orchestrated by Hashem. Even the simplest interactions in our daily lives—those that seem to follow the natural course of events—are, in reality, entirely governed by hashgachat Hashem . There is nothing "natural" about what happens in our lives. Everything is connected to our purpose in this world and to our deeds. If we are approved or denied for something, it is not because administrators made the decision, but because Hashem directed them based on what is truly best for us. Rabbi Gad Busquila from Congregation Netivot Yisrael in Brooklyn shared an incredible story that recently took place: Rabbi Busquila traveled to Israel at the beginning of Tevet for his father's yahrzeit . While there, he met an old congregant who had made aliyah in 2012. This man, whom we'll call Yehuda, had initially learned in kollel full-time after his marriage and later tried to enter the business world. But nothing worked out for him in the U.S., so he moved to Israel, where he became a highly successful real estate developer. This past year, before Rosh Hashanah , Yehudah purchased a large plot of land, planning to build major developments on it. He had a great relationship with his bank, so he assumed his building loan would be approved without issue. The bank told him they would finalize the loan after Sukkot but mentioned that interest rates had increased by 2% since his last loan, meaning he would have to pay the higher rate. Weeks passed with no response. Yehudah repeatedly contacted the bank, but they kept telling him they didn't know why there was a delay—it was stuck in upper management. By the time Chanukah arrived, he still had not been approved. The delay was costing him a significant amount of money, and he was growing increasingly anxious. Then one night, he had a dream in which he saw the Baba Sali . The Baba Sali told him that he had an outstanding debt towards him, and if he would pay it, everything would work out. Yehudah woke up shaken. He had only ever seen pictures of the Baba Sali but had no recollection of ever pledging money to one of his institutions. Three days later, while driving, Yehudah received a call from an American number. Normally, he wouldn't answer unknown calls, but for some reason, this time he did. It was the secretary from Netivot Yisrael in Brooklyn, informing him that he had an outstanding balance from two pledges he had made in 2012 at a hilula for the Baba Sali hosted by the shul. One pledge was for $180 for a candle, and the other was for $101 for besamim . Yehudah froze. Pulling his car over, he took out his credit card and immediately paid the balance in full. As the secretary thanked him and was about to hang up, he asked her to stay on the line until the transaction was confirmed. Only once he received confirmation did he end the call. Fifteen minutes later, Yehudah received another phone call—this time from the bank. His loan had been approved. Not only that, but the bank had decided to grant him the lower interest rate he had previously received—2% lower than the current rate. Stunned, Yehudah called Rabbi Busquila to share the incredible story. However, the call went straight to voicemail—Rabbi Busquila was on a flight to Israel at the time. When they finally met in person, Yehudah recounted the entire experience. Who could have imagined that a $281 pledge made 12 years earlier could have impacted his bank loan? Yehudah was a known ba'al tzedakah , yet this small, unpaid pledge had a significant effect on his business dealings. But in reality, this was a great chesed from Hashem. Had this situation never happened, Yehudah would have completely forgotten about that pledge and never fulfilled it. Nothing happens in this world without being decreed by Hashem first. How fortunate we are to recognize the depth of hashgacha pratit in every moment of our lives.