This Is War Deliberating the Next Move

Perception, Possessions and Preparedness

A wealthy antisemite entered a busy restaurant. He was happy to see that everyone present was a gentile, like himself. But when he saw a Jew in the corner of the restaurant, his blood boiled with anger. He decided to do something to make the Jew angry.

The waiter approached this cruel man and asked him what he wanted to order. He rowdily replied, “I want to order a full-course meal for everyone in the restaurant, and it is all free. Here is the money. I am paying for it all. Everyone can have whatever they want … everyone, except for that Jew sitting over there. Don’t give him anything.”

The crowd in the restaurant applauded and cheered and gladly feasted on his expensive gesture. One by one, they each went over to the wealthy antisemite to thank him. The Jew waited in line and thanked him as well! “Something is wrong,” the cruel man thought to himself. “The Jew should be devastated and embarrassed. Why is he thanking me?”

The antisemite took out his checkbook and told the waiter that he was now buying unlimited free drinks for everyone in the restaurant, and then he added in a loud voice, “That is for everyone, except for the Jew.” The applause was much louder this time. After everyone drank as much as they could, they again came over to this antisemite to thank him. The Jew thanked him as well.

The boor couldn’t contain himself any longer, and he asked the Jew, “Why are you thanking me? I didn’t give you anything!” “Oh, yes, you certainly did,” the Jew replied. “I am the owner of this restaurant.”

The above story, as I read from the “Torah Wellsprings” of Rabbi Elimelech Biderman, is a great reminder that even when things appear to be bad, it is never so. Everything is for our benefit. Circumstances, no matter how grim they might seem, can always be viewed from a different perspective with emunah. As we navigate this emotional landscape and its aftermath, we need to recognize that God is in complete control, and we will indisputably prevail in the end, regardless of how things appear, even in our darkest moments.

The story also reminds us that being in the right position and possessing the right assets provides us with a financial position of strength. We should consider the implications of such geopolitical events on our personal finances and real estate endeavors. Understanding the market subtleties, especially in times of uncertainty, will enable us to navigate turbulent times with clarity.

On October 31, I will be hosting a free virtual webinar tailored to demystify the financial and real estate implications of geopolitical events, especially with all that is happening in the U.S. economy right now. The discussion will cover: Real Estate Dynamics: How geopolitical tensions might influence buying and selling trends; Optimizing Home Equity: Strategies to monitor and maximize your current property value; and Market Implications: Navigating markets to make informed financial choices amidst uncertainty.

Whether you’re looking to buy a first home or investment property, considering selling your home or merely trying to understand market changes to make strategic decisions, this webinar is for you.

Shmuel Shayowitz (NMLS#19871) is President and Chief Lending Officer at Approved Funding, a privately held local mortgage banker and direct lender. Approved Funding is a mortgage company offering competitive interest rates as well as specialty niche programs on all types of Residential and Commercial properties. Shmuel has over 20 years of industry experience, including licenses and certifications as a certified mortgage underwriter, residential review appraiser, licensed real estate agent, and direct FHA specialized underwriter. He can be reached via email at Shmuel@approvedfunding.com.