Yaakov, a taxi owner from Tel Aviv, was accustomed to driving others. Now, however, it was his creditors who were driving him to desperation.

He thought the purchase of his own cab would increase his income, because it would save him from paying a monthly percentage for a company taxi. Instead, the purchase plunged him deeper into debt. He exhausted the resources that friends and family could give him, and the interest on bank loans was devouring a major source of his income. Furthermore, he was beginning to discover that it was costly to maintain his own taxi.

Yaakov needed an urgent thousand-dollar loan, but to whom could he turn? Finally, he thought of asking the other drivers in his company. It was embarrassing they were not well-off themselves, but he had no other alternative; he needed money urgently.

He thought of Amnon, a decent, shomer-Shabbos taxi driver. Amnon was often taunted by the other drivers. “Ridiculous! Most of our income comes from Shabbos fares when there is limited bus service.” They mocked Amnon’s parked taxi. “Lease it to someone else over Shabbos, Amnon. At least make some commission.”

Amnon refused. “No one is going to desecrate the Shabbos with my taxi!” he replied with quiet determination.

Yaakov was surprised when Amnon offered to lend him the entire sum. He hadn’t expected him to agree so readily, and he certainly did not think that he would have had such a sum available. He had hoped for no more than part of the amount and for advice on whom to approach for the balance of the money.

But Amnon added, “Before I give you the money, I want you to hear me out,” Amnon said.

Though he was in no mood for conversation, Yaakov had no choice but to listen. “Listen,” began Amnon. “I experienced the same hassle you are going through when I first started out. I worked day and night, and I still couldn’t get out of debt.”

“Yes,” Yaakov mumbled. “I remember.”

Amnon continued, “You might also remember that my son became critically ill. My wife and I struggled during the weeks he was in and out of the hospital, but the doctors could not cure him. We even tried different kinds of natural remedies and healing charms, but nothing helped. One day, an observant neighbor with whom I had little contact stopped me in the hallway.

“Do you mind if I have a word with you?’ he asked politely. ‘I would like to give you some advice concerning your sick son.’

“I was inclined to shrug him off, but I was so emotionally spent that I listened wearily. ‘A Rabbi in New York has helped many people in time of need,’ he said. ‘Let me give you his address. You have nothing to lose by requesting his blessing.’

“The name and address he gave me was that of Rabbi M. M. Schneerson at “770” Eastern Parkway. In reply to my letter, Rabbi Schneerson gave my son a blessing and directed me to incorporate Shabbos, kashrus, and tefillin into my life. It was a difficult transition, but let me tell you, my son recovered. And since we started keeping Shabbos, my income has been steady and sufficient. We have even managed to save some money.”

Amnon took a deep breath. “The money that I will lend you comes from keeping Shabbos. I’d like you to try to keep Shabbos for a while as part of our loan agreement.”

Yaakov needed the money and agreed to start observing Shabbos. As a result, many things in his life changed for the better. Within several months, he repaid the loan.

Yaakov was not the last person in the chain of Shabbos adherents which began with the Rebbe’s directive to Amnon.