Jewish tradition is full of stories of people in just such situations, and how they found unexpected help. Let's look at one, a poignant tale of a widow and the prophet Elisha.
This story, recounted in Legends of the Jews (Ginzberg), centers on a widow burdened by debt, facing the grim prospect of losing her children to creditors. Where does she turn? First, she visits the grave of the prophet Obadiah, pouring out her heart in grief.
Now, Obadiah isn't physically present, but in this tradition, the graves of righteous individuals are seen as powerful places of connection. He instructs her to seek out the prophet Elisha and ask for his intercession with God. And here's the fascinating part: Obadiah claims that God is in his debt! Why? Because, as he puts it, he provided for a hundred prophets, not just with bread and water, but even with oil to light their hiding place. "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord," as the Scriptures say.
Think about that for a moment. The idea that providing for those in need is like lending to God – a powerful concept!
The widow, following Obadiah's instructions, goes to Elisha. He performs a miracle. He tells her to gather every available vessel. Then, using the small amount of oil she has left, he causes it to miraculously fill vessel after vessel. And when she runs out of vessels, she starts bringing broken pieces of pottery – potsherds. "May the will that made empty vessels full," she prays, "make broken vessels perfect." And so it happens. The oil only stops flowing when there are no more containers to fill.
The story doesn't end there. The widow, wanting to be scrupulously pious, considers giving a tithe, a tenth, of the oil as an offering. But Elisha, in his wisdom, says no. Because the oil was a miraculous gift, she is allowed to keep it all for herself and her family.
But what about the potential danger from the ruling powers? Elisha reassures her, promising divine protection. "The God who will close the jaws of the lions set upon Daniel, and who did close the jaws of the dogs in Egypt, the same God will blind the eyes of the sons of Ahab, and deafen their ears, so that they can do thee no harm." This is more than just a promise of protection; it's a statement about God's consistent care for the vulnerable. We see echoes of this in Midrash Rabbah, where the powerless are always considered to be under God's protection.
And the story concludes with a final, beautiful note. The price of oil rose, and the widow and her descendants prospered, never wanting for anything again. She was not just saved from her immediate crisis, but provided for in the long term.
What does this story tell us? It's more than just a simple miracle tale. It speaks to the power of faith, the importance of helping those in need, and the enduring promise of divine protection. It's a reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope – and even miracles – can be found in unexpected places. As the Zohar tells us, the Divine Presence rests where there is need and a willingness to seek help. It reminds us that sometimes, the most miraculous thing we can do is simply ask.