The Fish Called Chaim
When there was no fish to be found for Shabbos, Rav Chaim sent a fisherman to cast his net while saying a single word, and the whole city ate.
A story ofRav Chaim Pinto of Mogadorהרב חיים פינטוProfile ›
Chassidim and the Jews of Mogador relate that in the days when Rav Chaim Pinto led the city, a time came when no fish could be found in the markets before Shabbos. A port town without fish for the Shabbos table is a sorry place, and the worry was felt in many homes.
Rav Chaim called for one of the fishermen and gave him an unusual instruction. He was to go out, cast his net, and say the word Chaim as he did so. The fisherman did as he was told, and when he drew the net in, it was so full that he could barely lift it.
The Rav did not keep the catch for himself. He had it distributed through the city so that every household could honor Shabbos, and he kept back only a small portion for his own table.
Word of it reached his close friend and fellow dayan, Rav David Chazan, who had himself been unable to find fish that week. On Shabbos he came to the Rav's house and said with a smile that he had heard Rav Chaim had Chaim in his house. The two sat down together and ate the fish, one friend teasing the other with the meaning of his own name, which also means life.
Source: Shenot Chaim, as recounted by Rav Meir Pinto (cited in Beit El's biography of Rav Chaim Pinto HaGadol).
When something good comes to you, ask who else in your circle is missing it. This week, take a little of what you have, whether food for Shabbos, an hour of your time or a useful contact, and pass it to one person who lacks it. Rav Chaim received an abundant catch and sent nearly all of it out to the city, keeping only a little. You do not need a miracle to do the same. Start with one household and one clear, specific gift.