Nachum Ish Gam Zu, whose name means “This, too, is for the good,” was renowned for his complete trust in Hashem.

Once, the Jewish people wished to send a precious gift to the Roman emperor. They asked, “Who should deliver it?” They chose Nachum Ish Gam Zu, known for his faith and miraculous deeds. He was entrusted with a chest filled with jewels and pearls.

On his journey, Nachum stopped for the night at an inn. While he slept, the inn’s residents secretly entered his room, emptied the chest of its jewels and pearls, and filled it with earth.

When he arrived at the emperor’s palace and the chest was opened, the emperor was furious. He accused the Jewish emissaries of mockery and threatened their lives. Nachum, as always, remained calm and said, “This too is for the good.”

At that moment, Elijah the Prophet appeared disguised as one of the emperor’s advisers. He suggested that perhaps the earth came from the soil of Abraham, in whose merit miraculous events had occurred: when he threw earth, it could turn into swords; when he threw stubble, it could turn into arrows — as Isaiah 41:2 states: “His sword makes them as the dust, his bow as the driven stubble.”

The Romans tested the earth in battle. Miraculously, a province they had been unable to conquer was subdued with this very soil. Seeing the miracle, the emperor refilled Nachum’s chest with the original jewels and pearls and sent him home with great honor.

Later, when Nachum stopped again at that same inn, the residents asked why the emperor had treated him with such distinction. Nachum replied, “What I took from here, I brought there.” Believing the soil itself was miraculous, the inn’s residents brought it to the emperor. But when tested, it had no effect. The miracle had occurred only in the merit and trust of Nachum Ish Gam Zu, and the emperor punished the inn’s residents.

This story demonstrates the power of bitachon — when a person truly trusts in Hashem, even events that seem disastrous can be transformed into miraculous salvation.