All that Rochelle wanted was to have a little baby. All her friends had a baby, but sadly, she still didn't have a baby after being married for many years.
When her friends would tell her how cute their babies were, Rochelle would sigh and be very sad.
"My baby is so cute" said one friend, "because last night he threw up all over the house!" Rochelle just sighed and wished she had a baby.
"Well," countered another friend, "my baby is the most adorable because he woke up at 2am, kicked me out of my bed, and stole my blanket!" Again, Rochelle just sat there and sighed.
Every night, before going to sleep, Rochelle would take out a Tehillim and daven to Hashem that she should have a little baby.
Mandella was Rochelle's best friend. She would try to get Rochelle out of the house and to do a Mitzvah and in that merit maybe she would have a baby.
"Come Rochelle," Mandella said one day "a Tzedakah needs extra help. Let's go over and see if we can volunteer."
"I can't" said Rochelle. "I'm just too busy! I have to go to work, then to my gym class, and then I have to say Tehillim. I just don't have time to help out!"
Another time, Mandella told Rochelle; "Our shul needs people to cook food for sick people. Could you help out?"
"I can't" said Richelle. "I'm just too busy! I have to go to work, then I have to see my therapist, and then I have to say Tehillim. I just don't have time to help out!"
Each time that Mandella tried to get Rochelle to volunteer and help out a fellow Jew, she always responded that she was just too busy. Eventually, Mandella gave up trying to get Rochelle to do Mitzvos.
One Sunday, while Rochelle was working out on her treadmill, there was a KNOCK on her door.
Rochelle opened the door and standing there was an old man, with a shimmering white beard and a long flowing coat.
"Hello Rochelle." said the man.
"Wha..? How did you know my name?! Who are you??" asked Rochelle astonished.
"My name is Gavriel" he said. "I need your help."
"Oh," said Rochelle, "I'll get my purse and give you money."
"No!" responded Gavriel. "I need you to help by saying Tehillim for a friend for a Refuah Shelama."
"I can't" said Rochelle, "I'm just too busy! Sorry!"
And with that, she closed the door on Gavriel.
The next Sunday, at exactly the same time, there was once more a KNOCK on the door.
"Hello Rochelle" said Gavriel when she opened the door.
"What? Do you want Tzedakah this time?!" she asked.
"No, I just want you to say Tehillim for a friend for a Refuah Shelama."
"I can't" said Rochelle, "I'm just too busy! I told you that last week. Sorry!"
Once again, she closed the door.
Week after week, Gavriel came to her house asking for her help. But each time, she would say she was too busy.
One Sunday, at the same time, there came the familiar KNOCK on her door.
Knowing that it was Gavriel at the door, Rochelle decided that she didn't want to open it this week.
But Gavriel kept knocking and then starting ringing the door bell non-stop. Exasperated, Rochelle opened the door for him.
"I told you," Rochelle shouted, "I am too busy to say Tehillim for your friend!"
"But it's not for my friend" replied Gavriel, "it's for your friend."
"What are you talking about..?" asked Rochelle.
Just at that moment, the phone rang. Rochelle turned to look at the phone, and when she turned back, Gavriel was gone, nowhere to be seen.
When she picked up the phone, it was her husband, Yankelle, on the other end.
"You have to come to the hospital right away!" he said hurriedly.
"What? Why? What happened" asked Rochelle.
"Your best friend Mandella was in a horrible car accident! Come quick!" he said.
Rochelle rushed to the hospital, and waited in the waiting area to hear of news of her best friend.
While sitting there, she took out her Tehillim and starting davening like never before. She was crying and begging Hashem to help her friend. She davened with such intent, that she didn't see the doctor waiting for her.
"Will she be OK?" Rochelled asked of the doctor.
"Thank G-d" he replied, "she'll be fine. She broke a few bones, but nothing too serious. She should recover nicely."
Every night, for the next month, Rochelle took out her Tehillim and davened that her friend should be better and heal up fully. At the end of the month, her friend came home from the hospital.
Rochelle cooked meals for her, and made sure that she was well taken care of. Whatever Mandella wanted, she got. Soon, Mandella was up and about and back to her old self.
Soon afterwards, Rochelle realized that she was pregnant! A few months later, she gave birth to a beautiful, healthy, baby boy.
It was the night before the bris, and Rochelle was getting ready to go to bed. All of a sudden, there was a loud KNOCK on the door. Rochelle went to answer the door, and standing there was Gavriel.
"Mazel Tov Rochelle! Mazel Tov!" he cried.
"How did you know I had a baby?" asked Rochelle.
"Could I please come in?" he asked.
Instead of walking into the house, he sort of floated inside.
"My name" he said "is really Malach Gavriel. Hashem sent me here to help you."
"You wanted a baby for a long time" he continued "but you weren't ready. All you ever cared about was yourself. How could you take care of a baby if you only think of yourself?! Only after your friend was hurt did you start putting the needs of others before yourself, and then did Hashem see that you were ready to have a baby."
As soon as he finished telling this to Rochelle, he vanished, never to be seen again.
From that day on, Rochelle made certain to help and care for others. Whether it be a Tzedakah organization, a friend that needs help, or any fellow Jew, Rochelle made sure to go out of her way to help them. She instilled this value in her little baby boy, who grew up to be one of the greatest Tzadikkim of all time.
All of this because Rochelle finally realized, that you must always help a fellow Jew.
THE END
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