Maghen Abraham - Thoughts From Mayer Sasson

"… when a woman has matured a human germ and born a manchild…"

To merit a child

"He who keeps his eyes down will be saved" (Iyov) – "When a person puts his eyes down to the ground and humbles himself G-d saves him and helps him."

The (true) story is told that several years ago a person came to Rabbi Meir Abuchatzira ob'm and poured out his troubles to him. He was married for fourteen years and still did not have any children. "Respectable Rabbi, is there something I can do to merit children?" he begged the Rabbi.

Rabbi Meir answered him, "Begin to learn about the trait of humility and work on it and with G-d's help you will merit a son."

The man heard and was very surprised. He thought to himself, "I should learn about the trait of humility and work on it? Am I haughty? I treat my wife and every person nicely and regularly. Why do I have to work on the trait of humility?" He wondered about the Rabbi's request but since the righteous rabbi told him so, even though he didn't understand it, he had to fulfill it, for the righteous see and understand much more than us.

From that day on the man began to learn books about the trait of humility and the drawbacks of pride and he tried very much to act with humility. Indeed, after several months the hospital told the couple, "A true miracle! After 14 years you will have a child!"

How great was their happiness. After nine months a healthy son was born to them. The day of the brit came and they were merited to have Rabbi Meir Abuchatzeira himself as the sandak.  At the end of the brit the new father approached Rabbi Meir in a humble stature and asked him, "Honorable righteous Rabbi, we are grateful to you for everything. But, excuse me for asking, I have a small question: Nine months ago, why did the Rabbi ask me to work on the trait of humility as a condition for meriting a son? I am not haughty or arrogant; why did the Rabbi ask me to do that?"

The righteous rabbi looked at him and said: "It's possible that you are really not haughty at all and you act like everyone else but in Tehilim David Hamelech says (136): "For in our lowly state he remembered/ a male to us for His kindness is forever." In other words, when a person lowers himself then G-d remembers him and is filled with mercy for him and then he merits "a male for us" – a male child comes to us. As we say in the morning prayers "G-d raises up the lowly" – G-d seeks those who lower themselves before other people and do not seek honor and power – and then G-d is filled with mercy for such a person and remembers his troubles and lowliness and He raises him very much."

Shabbat Shalom!!!

Mayer Sasson