One More Day in Eretz Yisroel

September 11, 2001 will be remembered as a tragic day. The horrific terrorist attack on American soil touched many lives, yet many accounts of hashgacha (Divine Providence) and emunah have come down to us from that day. Here is one account, told by a man who attributes the miracle to the power of Rav Kaduri's berachos.

"I am a businessman whose operations span many continents. My office was in the World Trade Center, and I had a company that employed many workers and had conducted business there for many years. I always consulted Rav Kaduri before entering into my business ventures. I saw continual success from receiving his blessing and advice at each turn.

"The date was September 1. I took my scheduled flight and landed in Eretz Yisroel. I made my way to the hotel where I had booked a room and spent the week in business meetings. I recorded the details of proposals and deals and prepared to bring them before the Rav for his advice and blessings. I visited the Rav on the last day of my trip, and he listened attentively. He gave his advice and his blessings for success. Then he made a most unusual request. 'Please remain here in Eretz Yisroel for another day. Do not go back to the United States today. Go back tomorrow.'

"The request was strange, but as someone who had enjoyed Rav Kaduri's blessings and advice, I did not hesitate to fulfill it. First I called my travel agent and canceled my flight and my taxi to the airport, and had him rearrange them for the following day. I also had to book an additional day at my hotel. Then I remembered my employees. They were on vacation until my return. I had to make several calls to notify them all that their vacation would be extended by a day and that the office would remain closed. Rebooking everything and making all these calls cost me no small amount of time, effort and money, but the thought of not heeding the Rav's request did not even cross my mind. In the end, it saved all of our lives.

"On September 11, at 6:30 a.m., I arrived at the terminal at Ben Gurion airport. At seven o'clock I sat in the business lounge to relax and review the deals and transactions I had worked out and was about to close. By 10:00 a.m. we were in the air, and I closed my eyes to nap. By 1:00 p.m., when I opened my eyes, lunch was served, and afterward I tried to rest once more. Catastrophe struck at 8:46 a.m. Eastern time. I sat in horror together with all the passengers as the news of the terrorist attack unfolded. I was shocked more than those around me, for I realized that the Rav's request had saved my life and the lives of all my employees. His far-seeing holy eyes had perceived what others had not. His seemingly strange request to stay one more day had spared me and my employees from being at the Twin Towers on that terrible day."