Hashgocha Protis
Once, when the Tzemach Tzedek was in Petersburg on some matter, a Jew, a stranger, did him a favor. Some time later the man came before the Rebbe and explained that it was he who had done him the favor.
“And what favor can I do for you in return?” asked the Rebbe.
“Please explain hashgocha protis to me.”
The Tzemach Tzedek explained the whole concept in detail, but the man still did not understand.
“Come, I will show you,” said the Rebbe. He took him to the window. “Do you see that village in the distance, and the wagon full of bales of hay, driven by a non-Jewish wagon driver? Now look behind them. There is a Jew holding a small toothpick, using fallen hay to pick his teeth. Something was stuck in this Jew’s teeth, and he could not daven. He is one of the lamed-vov Tzaddikim. In Shomayim they are waiting for his davening, but he could not daven because of his teeth. That village, the wagon driver, his wagon and the hay were all created so that this Tzaddik could pick his teeth and daven. That is hashgocha protis.”
“Now I understand,” said the man.