In any Jewish community there are individuals who are blessed with great mazal and make a lot of money.
For the most part, we Jews look after our fellow Jews. The rich look after the poor. In many communities there is even a system of distribution and it’s done discreetly.
Once an individual needed $5000. He asked the Rabbi if he can help him obtain the loan. Understandably, he asked the rabbi not to disclose his name.
The Rabbi came to a wealthy man, presented his case and asked the wealthy man if he could possibly help out this struggling Jew.
The wealthy man said, “I will give you $3000, however, in order for me to give the money, Rabbi, you have to disclose his name”.
“I’m sorry sir but that is confidential” replied the Rabbi. “Then I cannot give you the money” the wealthy man said. The Rabbi got up to leave. As the Rabbi was exiting, the rich man said once more, “Rabbi I’ll give you the whole $5000, but you have to disclose the name. The Rabbi again refused and again turned to leave. “I’ll give you more than he asked for, I’ll give you $10,000!! just tell me this poor man’s identity”.
The Rabbi unequivocally said “I’m sorry, I simply cannot and will not disclose his name”.
“Wait Rabbi”, the wealthy man called to the Rabbi as he had already crossed the threshold on the way out. “I have to discuss another important and highly sensitive matter with you, and I’m only sharing this with you because it seems like you can keep a secret”. The Rabbi took off his coat and sat down once again. “Rabbi”, the wealthy man said, ” I’m on the verge of bankruptcy and I need you to raise money for me as well”, and with that he broke down crying.
One cannot, under any circumstances violate what someone tells you in confidence. This is an invasion of privacy.
Story told over by Rabbi Baruch Dopelt
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