Instead of acknowledging what he had heard, the gaon again repeated. “But what are you now doing?”
“I trust my rav and master will forgive me, but this is the third time you have asked me the same question and I have repeated the same answer,” said the student in wonder.
“It is true, you have answered me the same thing three times,” sighed the gaon. “But that is not the answer I wanted to hear. You have nothing to brag about regarding money for it all belongs to G-d. G-d gives you life, health, money, riches and all wealth. It is not of our doing. But what are you doing?
“Are you doing good deeds? Do you give a lot of charity? Do you help the poor? Do you devote time every day to the study of the Torah?
“These are the things which you are required to do. Therefore, I ask you, what are you doing? Not what G-d has done for you.”
