The Writings That Protected Themselves

It is told that the Abir Yaakov loved his holy writings so much that he took them along on every long journey. On one such trip, after he arrived in a city, the local rabbonim welcomed him with honor. During the visit it was discovered that someone had broken into his room and stolen his precious manuscripts. A first search found nothing, and the rabbonim tried to comfort him.

The Abir Yaakov answered calmly that he was not worried. If Heaven had decreed that his writings should vanish, it was a sign that they were not wanted, and it would have been better had they never been written.

As he spoke, the thieves burst into the room. They paid no attention to the rabbonim and the local officials, but ran straight to the Abir Yaakov and fell weeping at his feet. They begged forgiveness and confessed that they had stolen the manuscripts, and they were there to return them.

Everyone was amazed as the thieves told their story. After they took the chest of treasure and fled, they came to a river that was usually calm. Suddenly the water began to foam and churn, and rose up to block them, and it seemed that they would be swept away. They turned back, and the river calmed. They tried again, and as soon as they touched the water, the storm returned. They understood that the Hand of Heaven was at work, and they decided to return the stolen writings, which, they saw, knew how to protect themselves.