The Pinto Associations around the world, along with Rabbi David Hanania Pinto Shlita, send you their best wishes for an exceptional new year 5770. Shana Tova! May we all be inscribed in the Book of Life. Amen.

CONTENTS The $25 Million Funeral ...... 2

under aegis of Through Faith in the Tzaddik, One Attains Faith in Hashem ...... 4 rabbi david hanania pinto chlita

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Responsible for publication: Hanania SOUSSAN Layout: Hanania SOUSSAN Internet : www.hevratpinto.org 1 e-mail : [email protected] The $25 Million Funeral By David Damen

An amazing saga, told here for the first for the ovens, rubbed their eyes in disbelief. said in a weak voice, “but you should know that time. It began with a father and son, separated Then they began their odyssey toward living a there is a possibility that my other son, a Jew, in Auschwitz. A secret revealed, after sixty normal, free life. Moshe, the father, tried to lo- is living somewhere in the world. I ask of you, years. A race against time, across oceans and cate his son. When he failed to do so, he quickly try to locate him! When you do find him, give him continents, to the deathbed of a long-lost dying despaired. The boy must have been killed, he 25 million dollars.” This sum was exactly half of thought to himself. The loss overtook him and Moshe’s estate. Fifty million dollars was the sum father, a fabulous fortune to be divided, a hala- broke his spirit. In a moment of emotional weak- that Moshe would be leaving behind. Now, he had chic dilemma, and a conflict in human relations. ness, he decided to abandon his religion and decided to divide it in two. The full story has been described by Gedolei completely disconnect from the past. Wounded, Moshe supplied his son with two pieces of Torah as “a story atypical of our times,” yet its angered, and filled with resentment, he decided information: The exact name of his missing son hero shrugs it off as no more than the simple to turn over a new leaf in a place where he would and his birth day. With the help of those two compliance with Jewish law that any observant be unrecognized. He wandered through several minute details, the non-Jewish son began a fas- person would see as his minimal obligation. countries, finally setting in a country in South cinating search attempt. It was a race against America. It was just another routine day at one of probability and a race against time. Any day now, the cemeteries in central Israel. Dozens of fam- In his new home, Moshe began a new chap- his father was apt to breathe his last. ily members walked, heads bowed sadly, behind ter, albeit not a smooth one. He married a lo- A Few Hours Too Late cal non-Jewish woman. The young son that he’d their deceased loved one. A standard funeral, Aided by advanced electronic media, which left behind in Poland, and the possibility that he at first glance. Strangers who encountered the hadn’t existed in the days after Auschwitz, the might still be alive somewhere, didn’t occupy his throng on its way out barely cast a glance at son slowly drew closer to his goal. He searched thoughts all that much. Perhaps covertly, when the group. Even the passionate sobs of the man throughout the United States, carried on to no one noticed, he thought about the child. But to leading the procession, who seemed to be the Europe, and … did not find a trace of his half- his non-Jewish wife and son, he never revealed only son of the deceased, didn’t transform the brother. As a last alternative, he tried searching his secret memories. The son, a non-Jew, never funeral into anything extraordinary in this land in Israel. The name that he located was a perfect imagined in his wildest dreams what his father of the dead, where wails and sobs are the order match to the name his father had mentioned. Not was hiding in his memory box. His father’s fi- of the day until that time when death will be for- only that, but the birthday was also the same. He nancial successes veiled his previous traumas. ever vanquished. didn’t waste any time, and contracted the fel- When it came to money, Moshe did quite well. He low, his new brother. The man, whom we’ll call No one could guess that this funeral, which made many successful deals and amassed tre- Yitzchak, a Torah-observant Jew living in Tel was held about three months ago, was far from mendous wealth. another routine funeral. It was the closing of an Aviv, heard the stranger on the other end of the A few months ago came his turning point. amazing saga, a rare collusion of events stun- telephone and was moved to tears. “Father is Moshe felt unwell, and at his advanced age he ning in their intensity, Divine in their essence, about to die,” his non-Jewish brother informed didn’t want to take any chances. He visited the and containing all the elements of an almost in- him. “The sooner you come, the greater your local doctor, and after comprehensive examina- chances of meeting him.” conceivable story. Had it not actually occurred, tions, was informed that his life was coming to The man, greatly moved, took the first avail- it is doubtful that anyone would believe the tale. an end. “You have just a few months left,” his able flight and flew to South America to meet The first part of the unbelievable puzzle was doctor told him with an impassive expression. woven in Auschwitz during the terrible war years. Distressed, Moshe’s The thousands of downtrodden human skeletons conscience began to trou- walking through the camp were joined one day ble him greatly. Thoughts by a father and son, named Moshe and Yitzchak of his lost son began to (not their real names). The father, a householder race through his mind, and from a certain well-known town, clutched his spurred him to take action only son tightly, desperately attempting to pro- before it would be too late. tect him from any harm. The Nazis separated the Lying on his sickbed, he father from his son. They were taken to different summoned his non-Jewish places, and never met again. son and recounted the un- A short while later, the war came to an end. told portion of his history. The survivors, who were slated to be next in line “I never told you this,” he 2 his biological father, for whom he had recited yer, and a hearing was quickly scheduled. to pay their final respects to their forgotten Kaddish for the last sixty years. He reached his In the interim, a court order was issued for- grandfather. Yitzchak said Kaddish in a crushed destination and was met at the airport by his bidding the burial until a final verdict would be voice, and began a year of mourning. brother, whose saddened face said it all. “I am reached. A few days later, the case was heard. Facing the open grave, Yitzchak began to sorry to inform you,” the brother said, “that our The judge, who apparently didn’t quite under- think about the strange series of events that father died last night in the hospital.” Yitzchak stand the great furor, suggested what seemed he had endured over the past few days. He had arrived just a few hours too late. to him a most logical arrangement. “The corpse had found his father, discovered a non-Jewish The only thing left to do at that point was shall be cremated,” he ruled. Still, in an attempt brother, lost 25 million dollars, and succeeded to arrange a respectable funeral. On the way to satisfy the Jewish brother, he informed him in granting his father a Jewish burial. His family to town, as the two discussed the tremendous that the ashes would be divided equally between members were also immersed in thought. Who inheritance waiting for them, Yitzchak tried to the two brothers. Half would be given to the non- had greater merit: The father, whose body had clarify the details of the funeral. “The funeral Jew, and the other half to Yitzchak, who would be miraculously made its way to Israel for burial, or won’t be held for another few days,” the non- free to bury it in a Jewish cemetery. Jewish brother said. the son, who had turned down such tremendous In any other situation, Yitzchak would have wealth for that purpose? “Why?” Yitzchak couldn’t understand the burst into uncontrollable laughter, remember- reason for the delay. ing the famous verdict of King Solomon. But in As the family stood there, still immersed “Because that’s what I’ve already arranged this case, the subject was his father, whose body in thought, the undertakers steadily continued with the church,” his brother answered se- was about to be terribly violated. He could not their work. Not one of them imagined that this renely. After a few moments Yitzchak learned permit himself to lose this battle. body, which they were slowly lowering into the that his Jewish father was slated to undergo Yitzchak summoned his brother and tried to ground, had “cost” the family 25 million dollars. a non-Jewish burial with all the trimmings. The convince him in other ways. “You know that my Yitzchak, the hero of the story, is a modest funeral would be held in the church, the priest portion of the inheritance is 25 million dollars,” man. He never intended to publicize his story, would deliver a fiery eulogy, and then the corpse Yitzchak began in a soft voice. “Take 10 million of and had no plans of gaining any glory from his would be sent for cremation. His father’s body those dollars for yourself and give me the body actions. may have escaped the ovens of Auschwitz, but in exchange,” he offered. it would now be burned in a magnificent non- This story eventually reached the ears of The brother looked at him with flashing eyes Jewish ceremony. the gaon Rabbi Chaim Yerachmiel Kleinman Sh- and spit out angrily, “Aren’t you ashamed? Here lita, the mashgiach of Yeshivat Ateret Yisrael, Yitzchak was terribly disturbed. “How could I made such efforts to locate you, and then you who is personally acquainted with several of the you do this to father?” he tried to reprimand his are shaming me like this, suing me in court, and people involved in the story. In a conversation brother. “After all, he was a Jew!” embarrassing me in public! I don’t even want to with the family, Rabbi Kleinman verified all the “Leave me alone,” the brother rejoined. talk to you!” he concluded vehemently. details of the account, and even mentioned that “He never instructed me otherwise. He behaved Yitzchak wouldn’t give up. In a flash of in- he had presented the story to gedolim, who had exactly as a non-Jew. There is no reason that spiration, he decided to make a much improved expressed great amazement upon hearing the you, a newly-arrived guest, should spoil this cer- offer. “I will give you my entire share of the in- tale. One of those gedolim was the gaon Rabbi emony for me.” heritance, all 25 million dollars, as long as you Yitzchak Zilberstein Shlita, the Rav of the Ramat The biting argument spiraled into a serious give me father’s body,” he told his brother, his Elchanan district, who later retold the story at fight, with each side staunchly defending its voice shaky but sure. The brother thought for position. The non-Jewish brother could not un- a moment, and then immediately concluded the one of his lectures. derstand what the Israeli Jew, the fellow who deal. What was a dead body worth to a non-Jew, “It is unbelievable,” says Rav Kleinman ex- was supposedly his brother, wanted from him. compared to 25 million dollars? citedly. “It is a story that is totally atypical of Just a few days ago, he had informed the Jew And don’t think that Yitzchak is a wealthy our times. It is nothing less than a ‘Berditchover that he was about to become a millionaire. Now person. Not at all. Yitzchak is just a Jew who tale.’ ” Rav Kleinman has retold the story many that he’d arrived, this stranger was making his always managed to make as much money as he times, but each time he is moved anew. life miserable over such inconsequential mat- needed to get by, and who managed to marry off The family attempted, in any case, to es- ters. his children honorably. Nothing more than that. tablish contact with the hero of the story, but Everything For a Jewish Burial The deal was closed on the spot. The non- the latter’s lawyer responded that he was not Yitzchak didn’t waste any time. He tele- Jewish brother received the entire inheritance, interested in being interviewed. phoned his lawyer in Israel, one of the country’s while Yitzchak flew back to Israel together with top attorneys, and asked him to recommend a the most precious treasure possible: His fa- talented lawyer in the South American country ther’s unviolated body. Not only did Yitzchak lose where he was located. Yitzchak decided to pre- his inheritance, he also had to pay $50,000 in vail over his brother through the legal system. legal funds. The Israeli attorney referred him to a local law- Back in Israel, the entire family assembled 3 Through Faith in the Tzaddik, One Attains Faith in Hashem by Rabbi David Hanania Pinto Shlita

ing Hashem’s will and keep- them and their Torah. Happy is one ing His mitzvot – all of their who learns their deeds and always re- deeds being solely for the sake counts their praise. Their merit is so of Hashem’s honor, to elevate great that it is preserved for a person His Name in the world – and in this world and the next. therefore Hashem repays them I shall describe just the tip of the measure for measure, listening iceberg regarding the wonders per- to their requests and doing their formed by our sanctified forefathers, will. and we shall examine how their merit Our Sages say that Hash- and prayer is able to protect and save em longs to hear the prayer of each person, regardless of the circum- the tzaddikim (Yevamot 64a). stances. My righteous brother, Rabbi The prayers of the tzaddikim Haim Pinto Shlita, may Hashem send are also likened to a deer, for him a refuah shelemah, told me that as long as it grows, its antlers he read in the book Vayaged Moshe form additional branches each by Rabbi Moshe Izgan Zatzal a won- year. Likewise with the tzad- derful story about how Rabbi Haim dikim: The longer they remain Pinto Hagadol had the merit of build- in prayer, the more their prayer ing a luxurious synagogue. Since Rabbi is heard (Yoma 29a). Our Sag- Haim Pinto was the head of the Beit es of blessed memory also say Din and the Rav of the city, he would that the merit of the tzaddikim go to a different synagogue each Shab- is so great, they can transform bat and deliver a discourse on Torah the Attribute of Justice into the and chizuk. During one such discourse, Attribute of Mercy (Bereshith the Rav heard a Jew complaining about Rabba 33:4). Hence a person how long it was, saying barka (mean- It is written, “They believed who prays to Hashem and asks ing “enough”). Rabbi Haim was not in- in Hashem and in Moshe His for the merit of the tzaddik to protect sulted, nor did he take it to heart. How- and save him, his prayer will be heard ever he immediately kept quiet and servant” (Shemot 14:31). and the tzaddik will stand by his side ended his discourse, and afterwards Our Sages of blessed memory have to help. Such is the way of the tzaddi- he raised his hands to the heavens and said that the Holy One, blessed be He, kim, for they do good for others, just said: “Sovereign of the universe, when concerns Himself with the praise of as our Sages have said: “As the moun- will I have the merit of having a private the tzaddikim and spreads it through- tains are suitable for planting and pro- synagogue, so I won’t be dependant on out the world (Bamidbar Rabba 21:3), ducing fruit, so the tzaddikim produce the favors of others?” That same week, for in this way a person attains even fruit and do good for themselves and a distinguished Arab came to his home. greater faith in Hashem, his fear of for others” (Vayikra Rabba 27:1). This Arab wanted to deposit a very large Heaven increases, and his soul is pu- Hashem gives a tzaddik the authority sum of money with the Rav while he rified. When a person hears about the to bless the nation in the merit of his went on a journey to a distant place. At miracles and deliverances brought good deeds, as our Sages of blessed first the Rav refused to accept responsi- about by the tzaddikim, he will imme- memory have said: “The Holy One, bility for such a large sum, but then he diately take things to heart and think: blessed be He, declared: Previously I said to the Arab: “If you agree, I will “Why did they, of all people, merit for blessed My creatures…. Henceforth, use this money to build a synagogue.” the Holy One, blessed be He, to listen however, the kohanim and the tzad- The Arab immediately agreed, and he to their prayer and do their will?” The dikim will bless you” (Tanchuma, even added: “Don’t be in such a hurry answer, of course, is that these tzad- Vayechi 7). Happy is the person who to return the money to me. You can pay dikim devoted their lives to perform- walks in their ways and cleaves to me back little by little, whatever you 4 can.” Indeed, the Rav built a large and and blessed her from the depths of my Mrs. Tzipporah Lok, the daughter luxurious synagogue with that hand- heart for success and a refuah shele- of Rabbi Avraham Maman Zatzal, told some sum. His synagogue stands to mah. Afterwards, when she returned to me that her son traveled from Morocco this very day, and from that era till now her home in Casablanca, she told her to the United States for a job interview people come from all over the world to husband what had happened. When that involved a difficult and complex pray there. As for the Arab, he never re- her husband heard it, he grew fearful test. Very few applicants successfully turned. From here we see how Hashem and said to his wife: “Since the Rav complete the test, and only three out heard the prayer of the tzaddik and car- blessed you for a refuah shelemah, it of about a thousand are chosen for ried out his will, for his only goal was probably means that you should get the sought-after position. Of course to please his Maker. All he wanted to checked,” and he urged her to go to there was no chance for her son to be do was increase Hashem’s honor and the doctor. Indeed, tests revealed the chosen, since only Americans, who glorify the house of our G-d, building presence of a terrible illness, though possess a complete mastery of the Him a synagogue for praise and honor. it was still in its early stages. The language, are supposed to pass. Nev- His prayer was therefore answered that woman immediately underwent treat- ertheless she lit a candle in honor of very same week. ment, and thank G-d the doctors man- Rabbi Haim Pinto, and she prayed and Our Sages of blessed memory aged to completely cure her illness. trusted in the Holy One, blessed be He, have said, “The tzaddikim are greater I had the merit of participating in a for the merit of the tzaddik to help her in death than in life” (Chullin 7b). On seudat hodaya (thanksgiving meal) son and enable him to be chosen. As the final day of the Hilloula that we which the family held to thank and it turned out, with G-d’s help he suc- held in honor of Rabbi Haim Pinto, praise Hashem for having saved her. cessfully passed the test and was one a woman by the name of Mrs. Biton I instructed her to publicly tell people of the three candidates chosen for the came to pray, along with many oth- about Hashem’s favor, since it results position. He later said, with complete ers, by the grave of the tzaddik. As in in a great Kiddush Hashem. Of course sincerity, that during the exam he felt every year, we blessed all the partici- it had been the merit of the tzaddik that someone was standing nearby and pants, each according to his request, Rabbi Haim Pinto, by whose grave revealing the answers to him one by and I blessed her as well. When we she had prayed, that saved her. I was one. He even managed to successfully returned from the tzaddik’s grave, I only a messenger who urged her to answer the questions that he had no saw her standing to the side. I don’t go see her doctor, which thank G-d clue about. This shows us the tremen- know why, but I summoned her again resulted in her recovery. dous power of the tzaddik’s merit to

5 help those who sincerely trust in him. might shout at him because he was say, “The words, ‘Whoever keeps the Our Sages say, “So it is with the late in returning to help her. He said, mitzvah’ [Kohelet 8:5] allude to the tzaddikim: He who does not guard “Hashem, may it be Your will that in tzaddikim who perform the mitzvot of himself against them [will find that] the merit of the tzaddik Rabbi Haim the Holy One, blessed be He, and it is their bite is the bite of the fox, their Pinto Zatzal, my daughter will recover their decree that He fulfills” (Tanchu- sting is the sting of the scorpion, their and be the one to open the door for ma, Vayeira 19). I was once told by hiss is the hiss of the serpent, and fur- me, and shouts and arguments will Mr. Mordechai Ben Shoshan of Paris thermore all their words are like fiery be replaced with sounds of joy.” And about a sick person who needed to coals” (Bamidbar Rabba 3:1). During so it was, as he stood by the door and take certain medication that resulted in my stay in Montreal, Canada, Mr. Ye- knocked lightly, he suddenly heard severe memory loss. This person went huda Dahan told me in the name of sounds of joy coming from within, to pray by the grave of my father, who his father (who actually witnessed the and his beloved daughter was the one is buried in the city of Ashdod. There he wept bitter tears before Hashem, awe-inspiring event) that Rabbi Haim who opened the door for him! At that asking to be helped by the merit of Pinto was a guest in their home, and point he was speechless, and everyone the tzaddik. He had a pure and sincere from there he was to travel to Mar- thanked and praised the Almighty be- belief, and when he finished praying rakech. When the Rav reached the out- cause they saw His direct salvation, he felt a tremendous sense of relief. skirts of the city, all the members of achieved through a sincere belief in He believed that his payers had been the community, both young and old, the tzaddik. granted, and while still at the grave of came out to welcome him with great A man by the name of Rabbi Levi my father, he took his medication and honor. Suddenly, a non-Jew emerged told me that he suffered greatly in his threw them into the nearby garbage. from the crowd and brazenly spit in married life, for he had already been He then went to his doctor and asked the Rav’s face! It was hard for this married and divorced twice. He once to be examined once again, and his non-Jew to see such great honor be- went up to pray by the grave of Rab- doctor discovered that his disease had ing bestowed upon the tzaddik. Upon bi Haim Pinto, beseeching Hashem disappeared and he no longer needed seeing this, the Jews became enraged to save him from his troubles by the his medication. Such is the reward of and wanted to hurt him, but the Rav merit of the tzaddik. That night Rabbi sincere belief, and great is its ability to prevented them, saying: “Hashem Haim appeared to him in a dream and save a person from his troubles. will take revenge on him.” As he was told him to go to the city of “Tiznik,” About 35 years ago, when I was speaking, a French soldier arrived where he would find his soul-mate. 24, I was a guest at the home of Mrs. and accidentally discharged his rifle, She would give birth to his son, whom Tzipporah Lok in Agadir, Morocco, which struck the non-Jew in the head, he was to name Haim. He therefore where I slept for the night. The follow- killing him on the spot. “May all Your traveled to that city and found his ing morning, when I wanted to be on enemies perish in this way, Hashem.” soul-mate, after which he had a son my way, her husband gave me a very whom he named Haim. Our Sages of One person told me that he had sev- large sum of money and said, “This blessed memory have said, “Happy en sons and one daughter. His daugh- is in honor of your father the tzaddik, are the tzaddikim, and happy are those ter was born paralyzed, and since her who used to visit our home. It’s been who cleave to them.” In other words, birth he would pray for a long each many years since I last gave to your happy are all who believe in them, for day and bitterly weep for her recovery. holy father.” At first I refused, saying by having faith in the tzaddik, a per- He would also light candles for the el- that it was too much money. However son’s faith in Hashem is strengthened. evation of Rabbi Haim Pinto’s soul, he insisted that I take it. Many years so that his daughter could be saved by My father, Rabbi Moshe Aharon later, his wife told me what happened the merit of the tzaddik. Each morning Pinto Zatzal, the crown of my head, afterwards: Once I left their home with after prayers, he returned home and was able to grasp this ability from his the money, she started arguing with helped his wife to prepare the children father. He also ascended the latter of her husband about why he had given for school. Their lives went on like purity and sanctity, devoting his life to such a large sum to this young fellow. this, with joy and sadness mixed to- Torah study and mitzvot observance. Her husband replied, “If his father, gether. One morning, the man carried As people know, he enclosed himself Rabbi Moshe Aharon, were here, you on with his prayers at great length, within his home for 40 years, and dur- would obviously agree on giving him praying from the depths of his heart ing all that time he learned Torah day the money. So what difference does and asking the tzaddik Rabbi Haim and night, not speaking any profane it make if his son gets it?” He added, Pinto to help him by interceding for words at all. Therefore Hashem car- “Don’t forget that before he moved his daughter’s recovery. When he re- ried out his will, and his prayers were to Eretz Israel, his father the tzaddik turned home, he was afraid that wife accepted in Heaven. As our Sages blessed us for success in business, and 6 thank G-d his blessing has been with his passport had expired. Naturally, fills the desire of those who fear Him; us till today. So why are you com- there was really nothing he could do He hears their cry and delivers them” plaining?” Nevertheless, she contin- but to return to his home in Paris. I (Tehillim 145:19). ued to argue with her husband. While stayed with him overnight, however, The Sages of blessed memory have they were talking, an Arab knocked at and told him: “Since my father asked said, “Happy are the tzaddikim! Not the door and asked, “Do you recog- me to welcome you, it means that he only do they acquire merit, they also nize me?” “Absolutely,” replied her gave you a blessing to participate in bestow merit upon their children and husband. “I remember that I lent you the Hilloula. Come morning, I sudden- children’s children to the end of all the some money ten years ago, and that ly saw one of the clerks and told Mr. generations” (Yoma 87a). How many you still haven’t repaid me.” The Arab Hayun to explain the situation to him. times did Hashem help me by the replied, “Very well, that’s why I’m After listening to him, the clerk sent merit of my holy forefathers! When I here.” He then explained: “Last night Mr. Hayun to see the general manager, stayed at the home of Mr. Mordechai I was warned in a dream to immedi- who met with Hayun for a long time in Knafo (may Hashem save him) in Mo- ately return the loan to you, or other- his office. I was standing outside in the rocco, I was invited to be a Sandak at a wise I would be severely punished.” meantime, eagerly waiting to find out Brit Milah. This mitzvah is especially Mrs. Tzipporah Lok told me that when what would happen. I noticed that the dear to me, and I don’t refuse it even the Arab left their home, they counted airplane which Mr. Hayun was sup- when it involves great effort and hard- the money he had returned, and it was posed to board for Paris had now closed ship. Yet in this case, I suddenly found precisely the same amount that her its doors and was beginning to depart. myself refusing to go through with it, husband had given to me that morn- Some time later, my friend came out even though there was nothing pre- ing. They saw divine providence in with a large smile on his face. He told venting me from doing so. I refrained this, and peace immediately returned me that they had given him permission for some reason, something that struck to their home. Of course my father to stay in Morocco without a passport me as very odd. A few days later, I Zatzal, who always loved peace and for one week only – the exact duration heard that the baby had passed away pursued peace, did not want any ar- of the Hilloula. We saw G-d’s hand in after the Brit. Here I saw the workings guments or disputes among them. He this, in the fact that my father’s prayer of divine providence, which protected therefore appeared in a dream to the was granted, enabling Mr. Hayun to me in such a way that no desecra- Arab and told him to immediately re- participate in the Hilloula. Hashem tion of Hashem’s Name would occur pay the loan, thereby allowing peace had saved him. Mr. Ben Hayun told through me, for people would have in- to return to their home. Such was the us that when the general manager of nocently claimed: “Rav David was the greatness of my father, may his merit the airport began to question him, he Sandak, so how could the baby have protect us, whose life was dedicated to suddenly realized they were childhood died? Where’s the merit of his fore- the Holy One, blessed be He, and to friends who had attended the same fathers?!” Thankfully, G-d saved me His Torah. Hashem therefore ensured school! They hugged each other, and that no sin or dispute should arise of course Mr. Ben Hayun was allowed from this, and it was certainly the mer- through him. to stay. When we arrived at the Hillou- it of my holy forefathers that protected me from this stumbling block. Approximately 30 years ago, about la, I asked him to wait outside for a two years before my father’s death, we few minutes. I went inside and tried About two months ago, I was stay- were fortunate enough for him to join to pull my father’s leg: “You should ing in Miami at the home of Mr. Ben us for the Hilloula of Rabbi Haim Pin- know that Mr. Ben Hayun went back Hamo, the son of Rabbi Amram Za- to in Morocco. Among the participants to France,” I told him. My father re- tzal. While I was meeting with the was Mr. Massoud Ben Hayun Zatzal, plied with great confidence, “That’s public, a woman arrived and told me who was a very pleasant man. He had impossible. I see that he will get to that she had been childless up until a personally helped me when I was start- the Hilloula.” At that point I laughed, year ago. However I had given her a ing out, assisting me to establish my admitting to my father that Mr. Ben blessing to have a son, and thank G-d organizations, and he had a profound Hayun had indeed arrived by a mira- she became pregnant and gave birth love for my family. However he expe- cle, and we were all very happy. From to a boy. She was now pregnant once rienced many hardships prior to par- here it’s clear that my father could see again, and she came to thank me for ticipating in the Hilloula. When I told far and wide, knowing that Mr. Ben the blessing. As a gift, she brought me my father that Mr. Ben Hayun would Hayun would eventually arrive at the a bottle of fine whisky. At that point, be attending, he asked me to welcome Hilloula and overcome every obstacle I remembered that I had asked my as- him at the Casablanca airport. When standing in his way. This was because sistant to purchase a bottle of whisky he arrived at the airport, the authori- my father’s prayer had been accepted for Shabbat when we returned to the ties did not allow him to enter, since in Heaven, as the verse states: “He ful- airport. Yet for some reason, I said to 7 from the woman on the day before. for whatever he wanted, and Hashem After all, I needed a bottle of whis- would do his will. I thought that only key, and the bottle I gave her would a few people would get up, but to only be for the following week. When my amazement everyone got up and I arrived in Paris and heard about the grabbed a tallit and put it on. Happy is miracle that the couple experienced, Israel! One of the participants, Rabbi I realized that it was the merit of the Haim Krason, later told me what hap- mitzvah that had saved them, and I pened on account of one tallit: For a saw how divine providence governs long time, a Mexican woman had been everyone. imprisoned on account of tax evasion, Hashem will help every single per- and her distraught husband had come son who possesses a sincere belief in to receive a blessing for her. Rabbi the tzaddik, and He will do his will. Haim explained what happened next: I once remember when I urgently “I said to him, ‘Yesterday Rabbi Da- phoned our family doctor, Dr. Bizmit, vid brought us 70 tallit katanot, which and asked him to come to our home have great segulot. I’m prepared to because a family member was not give you mine. Put it on your clothes, feeling well. Now it is very difficult to and you’ll witness miracles.’ He took find parking where I live. In fact it’s the tallit and wore it with complete and almost impossible, and people have to sincere faith, and it did not take long walk a long way to reach us. Wonder- for a miracle to happen. In Mexico, it ing where he was going to park, the is very rare for judges to hear appeals, doctor prayed to Hashem in the merit but in this case the judge did: As soon of Rabbi Haim Pinto, asking to find as the woman entered the courtroom, the woman: “You’re returning to Par- a spot because he was now coming the judge ordered her to be released is now, so please take the bottle with to help his grandson. Before he fin- and instructed the officers to return you and bring it back when I arrive in ished praying, he reached my house, her passport, her ID, and all her other Paris.” The woman and her husband at which point a person suddenly got documents that had been seized by the into his car and drove off, leaving him were surprised by this, but they did court. This miracle amazed everyone with a parking spot. The doctor saw as I asked, thinking that they would living in the area, for they saw that divine providence in this, for “Hash- be mitzvah messengers for me, since Hashem saves and protects a person em is close to all who call upon Him.” the bottle was meant for the mitzvah from all evil if he sincerely observes When he told me this, I replied: “Since of Shabbat. When they boarded the mitzvot and accepts the mitzvah of it was a favorable time in Heaven, it’s plane, the woman said to her husband: wearing a tallit katan.” a pity that you didn’t ask that we do “G-d willing, we’ll have a good flight complete teshuvah and for Mashiach One of the people closest to me on account of the mitzvah.” About to come.” The doctor told me that al- is Mr. Rosenthal (may Hashem grant two hours later, the worst almost hap- most every time he visits my home, he him success), a man who has helped pened: The plane went out of control miraculously finds a parking spot after me tremendously and supports our for a few seconds and almost crashed. praying for one. institutions. He participated in our A few passengers lost consciousness annual trip to the graves of the tzad- Last summer, in 5768, we had the due to a lack of oxygen, and others dikim in Ukraine, after which we trav- merit of experiencing an uplifting were injured. Everyone was terrified. Shabbat in Mexico amid a wonderful eled to Morocco and visited the grave However the couple felt at peace and Torah atmosphere. Everyone enjoyed of Rabbi Haim Pinto Zatzal. On the confident, for they told themselves Shabbat in an uplifting environment, way, he addressed a personal request that as mitzvah messengers, no harm rejoicing in the Torah. Their hearts to me: “Thank G-d, I’ve been fortu- would come to them. In fact the plane were receptive to Mussar talks and to nate enough to do teshuvah, and I am was able to continue on its journey, G-d’s word. When I saw that the time happy. My request is that you pray and they returned home safe and was right, I took 70 tallit katanot out for my relative and her husband, that sound. A day later, while I was at of my bag, hoping that people would they should also do teshuvah.” He the airport waiting to return to Paris, accept the yoke of Heaven and put asked me to do whatever I could, and I told my assistant to buy a bottle of one on. I said that whoever would ac- in response I said to him: “May it be whisky for Shabbat, and I wondered cept to wear a tallit katan could pray Hashem’s will to help me say the right why I had refused to accept the bottle words and convince them to agree.” 8 Some time later, when I was re- Hashem always help me to sanctify Of course I do not credit my own ceiving people near their home, Mr. His Name in the world. abilities in any of these stories. It is Rosenthal brought his relative and If a Jew does teshuvah through solely the merit of my holy and pure her husband to see me. As they sat in my blessing, I experience great joy forefathers, as well as the merit of front of me, I asked them why they and thank G-d that another Jew has their Torah, that enables me to help had come. They said, “We don’t know returned to Torah and mitzvot. He has others. G-d willing, I too will merit why. Mr. Rosenthal just asked us to returned to our Father in Heaven! deliverance for myself and my fam- come.” I asked them, “Is everything ily. Regardless of the circumstances, a While I was staying at the home all right in your daily life?” When they person who prays to Hashem from the Mr. Abadi in England, a reform Jew said that everything was fine, I really bottom of his heart, and who adds to came to see me for a blessing to have had no idea how to start a conversation his prayer the merit of these tzaddikim with them that could lead to a spiritual sons. I said to him, “How can I give – the faithful servants of Hashem – awakening. I prayed to G-d for help, at you a blessing when you don’t believe will certainly be answered and Heaven which point – without meaning to do in the Torah of Moshe?! I’m prepared will carry out his will. All a person has so – I mentioned the name of a woman to bless you, but only if you take it to do is pray. As the Ben Ish Hai says who had come that very morning to upon yourself to wear tefillin and (Parsha Terumah, first year), the Me- ask me for a blessing to recover from keep Shabbat.” He willingly agreed, norah is compared to prayer, standing an illness. She had a Spanish name, and I gave him a sincere blessing for just as a person stands in prayer. Thus and it was very difficult to pronounce. children. As he was leaving, a woman we read, “You shall make a Menorah Nevertheless, her name escaped my stood in the doorway and asked for of pure gold and of one piece” (Sh- lips. They were surprised that I men- a blessing, sadly explaining that she emot 25:31), alluding to a person who tioned her name, and wondered what had been childless for years. I raised stands in prayer before Hashem, all my intentions were. When I repeated my hands and said, “Master of the his intentions being one. He must be her name, I saw that they were upset, universe, in the merit of the Jew who focused on prayer, having no foreign even shedding tears. When I asked committed himself to wearing tefil- thoughts in mind, nor should he have them why this name was so unsettling, lin and keeping Shabbat, may this any ulterior motives, G-d forbid. Dur- they told me that this woman had been woman also have a son.” I gave her ing Shemoneh Esrei, a person should making their lives miserable for a few the book Zocher HaBrit by the Ben not even be thinking of Torah, and all years, and that she had caused them a Ish Hai, telling her that G-d willing his requests should be for the sake of great deal of suffering. she will have a son next year in the Heaven. Upon reaching the blessing, Surprised, they asked me how I merit of Rabbi Haim Pinto and the “Return us, our Father, to Your To- knew where to probe. I realized that Ben Ish Hai. I told her that she could rah,” one should wholeheartedly im- Hashem, in His great kindness, had return the book when comes back to plore Hashem to grant him complete helped me find a way to their hearts, give me the good news. A year later, repentance, for he will then be close and from that point on their hearts when I returned to England, I was to Hashem. Thus when a person prays were open, enabling me to exert a told that these two individuals had properly, Hashem hears his prayer and positive influence on them. I said to newborn sons on that same week, and saves him in times of trouble. If he in- them, “Know that if you take upon I was asked to be the Sandak. We see cludes a tzaddik in his prayer, asking yourselves the yoke of Torah, the that their deliverance came primar- for his merit to help him, his prayer laws of family purity, and keeping ily from the merit of the reform Jew will be of the highest order and ac- Shabbat, I promise that this woman who agreed to repent and accept upon cepted in Heaven, for that tzaddik will will never be able to harm you again. himself the yoke of mitzvot. Hashem stand before Hashem in order to fulfill Thus a few days later, Mr. Rosenthal therefore heard my prayer and the his prayer. arrived and told me in amazement merit of my holy forefathers helped May it be His will for my holy that he was seeing a positive change both of them have children. Through forefathers and the tzaddikim in every in them. Thank G-d, they are now in repentance, a person certainly avoids place to help us and our children. May the process of doing teshuvah. I asked a great deal of problems and suffer- the entire Jewish people be delivered him for the names of the people who ing. Such was the case of the reform from all their troubles and enjoy the had come to see me that day, and I Jew, when a severe decree was re- best, both spiritually and materially, showed him the name of the wom- moved from him and with Heaven’s and may we soon merit the Final Re- an with a Spanish name. It was the help he immediately had a son. Merit demption. Amen and amen! same name as that of the non-Jewish is conferred through someone deserv- woman who had embittered the lives ing, and this woman was able to have of Mr. Rosenthal’s relatives. May a son through his merit. 9 THE INTERNET: A MODERN FORM OF IDOLATRY (By Rabbi David Pinto Shlita)

“You shall not bring an form of idolatry has managed to en- into this trap, despite thinking that abomination into your home and snare numerous individuals, including their maturity would be able to immu- become banned like it. You shall good people. nize them from the enticements of the utterly detest it and you shall ut- In regards to its name, we are street. While doing their work on the Internet, they have often fallen into the terly abhor it, for it is banned.” speaking about the Internet. With all the good that it brings to man, it trap of certain websites because there The Torah describes the order nevertheless causes a great deal of were no controls to exclude unwanted given by Moshe Rabbeinu to the Jew- harm. It’s true that we cannot deny sites. ish people, before they entered Eretz the effectiveness of this invention, Personally, I am still embarrassed Israel, to burn, destroy, and eradicate thanks to which we can have an en- to mention my own failings in this all the idols of the non-Jewish nations tire world before us just by typing on area. I once had to travel to Israel dur- that occupied the land, these idols be- a few keys. Instead of running from ing the first Intifada, and in the ab- ing designated as cherem (“banned”). one place to another, all we have to sence of a direct flight, I had to make As the verse states, “You shall utterly do is use a keyboard and a mouse to a stopover in London. As everyone detest it and you shall utterly abhor it, see the whole world unfold on a mon- knows, every airport is equipped with for it is banned” (Devarim 7:26). Now itor. Furthermore, its effectiveness as a giant monitor on which the news of the Children of Israel not only had to a means of communication, which is the day appears. Because I had to wait eliminate all the idols of these nations, now an integral part of most people’s for my connecting flight, and because they also had to flee from and abhor homes and businesses, has been used I was worried about my Israeli broth- them with a sense of repulsion. The to give Torah classes and transmit ers, I suddenly found myself watching fact that the Holy One, blessed be He, spiritual messages. In former times, the news, which was being presented ordered the Children of Israel to con- people could avoid going to a Torah by a woman. To my great regret, the sider these idols as abhorrent teaches class by saying that they had no time image of that woman engraved itself us just how seriously He considered for it. Yet technological progress has in my mind, to the point that five years the prohibition against worshipping now placed the Torah at people’s fin- later, while I was praying the Amidah, foreign gods, which our ancestors did gertips. Attending a Torah class no she suddenly sprang to mind, distract- not heed. longer requires any great effort, and ing me from my prayer. It was only There exist few idolatrous peoples people can now connect to a Torah after I had completely repented of this in our time. Among those that do ex- class of their choosing in a few sec- sin, pouring out tears and imploring ist, there are small groups from the onds, strengthening their fear of G-d the Creator to remove this vision from east that worship created objects, such in their spare time. my mind, that my request was granted as stars for example, as well as Hin- As I have said, I am not trying to and this woman stopped disrupting my dus, who worship cows. In the past, ignore or underestimate the effective- thoughts. idolatry spread to almost every place ness of the Internet as a means of com- What I want to demonstrate by this in the world, but such beliefs have di- munication, which at times is useful to is that nobody is shielded from the at- minished over the course of time, and achieve beneficial results. However I tacks of the evil inclination. Further- today only a small minority of nations cannot close my eyes to the terrible more, human nature is such that the have remained faithful to their idola- dangers to which it also exposes us. heart desires what the eye sees, mean- trous past. Nevertheless, we should Moreover, because I often meet people ing that a person must also protect his not delude ourselves into thinking that from the community who share their eyes from forbidden sights. No person idolatry has completely disappeared problems and difficulties with me, I can claim that he is not exposed to the from the world. Today it is not clas- am aware of their spiritual situation, enticements of the street, in keeping sic idolatry per se, but a certain kind and I fully realize that the Internet rep- with the teaching of our Sages: “Do of contemporary idolatry – specific to resents a real threat to the integrity of not be sure of yourself until the day the modern era – that has emerged in the family unit and the education of you die” (Pirkei Avoth 2:4). Even my- our generation. Due to euphoria over the young. I have even heard of cases self, considered by people as a Rav the progress that accompanies it, this where adults themselves have fallen who works for the community, didn’t 10 know how to confront my evil inclina- order to protect them from a new web- must realize that the Internet does the tion, and I was entrapped by its snare. site that was attracting youngsters and very opposite, for it severs the tie that Woe to me on the day of judgment and corrupting all their values and morals. binds us to our Creator. In fact when the day of reprimand! How will I ap- In Parsha Terumah we read, “Let the Holy One, blessed be He, detects pear as shame and humiliation cover them make Me a Sanctuary, that I may immorality and a lack of modesty in a my face? I can only hope that the Holy dwell among them” (Shemot 25:8). It person, He withdraws His Shechinah One, blessed be He, will accept my does not say, “in it,” but “among them.” from him, as the verse states: “Your sincere repentance, and that in the fu- This teaches us that every Jew is ob- camp shall be holy, so that He will ture He will not be strict with me for ligated to make himself into a fitting not see a shameful thing among you it. vessel for the Shechinah. Let us think and turn away from behind It is important to recognize that about the command, given by you” (Devarim 23:15). the Internet is nothing but a modern Hashem, to construct a Furthermore, if a form of idolatry. A person is exposed person wants the to the most indecent sights on ac- Shechinah to dwell count of it, and nothing and no with him, he must one can protect him from first remove every it. Who will not tremble abomination from with fear on account of his home. Then, once this gave danger that his heart is free of ev- threatens Jewish erything indecent, he homes, since we will be able to elevate know that such an himself in all the 48 abomination has characteristics needed now found a place to acquire the Torah there? The benefits – alluded to by the 48 that the Internet beams of the Sanctu- sometimes brings ary – and he will cleave to people prevent to the Creator, blessed them from rec- be He. ognizing the It is therefore in- grave danger cumbent on each of us to which it also to realize that, in the same exposes them. way that the Holy One, I remember blessed be He, told Moshe how a couple to command the Children of Is- once came to rael to eradicate all idols and abhor see me and them, likewise today we must also re- c o m p l a i n e d Sanc- ject and abhor modern idolatry, mean- about their bit- tuary. It had to be built ing the Internet. As we know, a person ter situation. They with 48 beams, and the term who seeks to purify himself will be said that their four keresh (“beam”) is composed of the given divine help. Furthermore, it is children were wasting all their time same letters as kesher (“tie”). In other certain that when Hashem perceives and energy on the Internet, to the point words, man is tied to his Creator by a person’s intention to draw closer to that they had lost all desire to focus on the beams of the Sanctuary. The fact Him and rid himself of the abomina- their studies. Despite the sorrow of the that it was built with these 48 beams tion that the Internet represents, He parents, I placed the blame on them by reminds us that a person is obligated will help him in this endeavor. By this saying that they were responsible for to cleave to the Shechinah by mak- merit, such a person will also benefit the situation. They should have real- ing his own body into a fitting vessel from an abundance of holiness and ized the danger before it was too late, to receive it. How can a person merit purity, and he will be blessed with the thereby preventing their children from for the Holy One, blessed be He, to best of everything. He will experi- using this destructive contraption. Re- come and reside in him? It is by cleav- ence only joy from his children, and cently, in fact, even parents in a non- ing to the 48 characteristics by which his home will be filled with peace and Jewish area were asked to supervise the Torah is acquired and by elevating blessings. Amen, may it be so! their children’s use of the Internet in himself through them. In reality, we 11 A Journey into the Ukraine – Elul 5768 by Rabbi David Hanania Pinto Shlita

Vilna Gaon refused, stating that only personal work and effort are the keys to acquiring Torah. When his sister paid him a visit after numerous years, he welcomed her with joy and spoke with her for a few moments. He then explained how precious his time was, and what a pity it was to lose even a moment of Torah study. They would meet again in the World of Truth, and there they would have time to talk. Having said that, he returned to his studies. Yet this tzaddik is also bur- ied in a remote area, at the end of the world. How could this be? Is this the reward for his sacrifice in Torah? Who was greater than Rabbi Yona- tan ben Uzziel, whose might in study was incomparable? Any bird that flew Selichot at the Hilula of Rabbi Chaim Pinto (Essaouira - Morrocco) over his head as he studied would be consumed by the fire emanating from “These are the tzaddikim, other works. He left humanity with his Torah (Sukkah 28a). He too is who in their death are called the reason for his existence, so what buried in the heart of a thick forest, in alive.” – Berachot 18a does it matter if his grave is located in Amuka, a desolate and isolated region. a place far from inhabited regions? Is Why have the tzaddikim not been laid “No one knows his burial it not more important for his Torah to to rest in beautiful areas surrounded place to this day.” – Devarim occupy a primary place in our lives? by trees and flowers, amid a peaceful 34:6 This teaches us that the Torah which atmosphere and in a more centrally lo- As in every year during the month he studied during his lifetime is what cated place? of Elul, we again traveled to Eastern is most important. What does it matter We also visited the grave of the Europe this past year to visit the graves if his physical body now lies buried in Baal HaTanya, may his merit protect of the tzaddikim, whose renown in some isolated place; the main thing is us, a holy place where we were over- Torah fills the world. These graves his Torah and sanctity occupy a pri- come with emotion. We then traveled are often found in remote areas, some mary place among Torah scholars. to the grave of the Baal Shem Tov, even deserted, and in certain cases the Likewise the location of some graves is unknown. Vilna Gaon, may This year for the first time, we also his merit protect traveled to the grave of Rabbi Israel us, is buried in a Meir HaKohen of Radin Zatzal, the remote area de- author of Chafetz Chaim. He is buried spite the fact that in a remote area where no one ven- his Torah moved tures. On the other hand, his Torah has worlds during his spread throughout the world. Every lifetime. It is said Jew knows a law or a saying from this that Eliyahu Ha- Kohen Gadol because of his numerous Navi offered to writings, especially the Mishnah Beru- teach him the en- rah, the laws of Lashon Harah, and tire Torah, but the

12 may his merit protect us. These tzaddi- after death that they begin to live. In Much to the contrary, on the kim are also buried in desolate places, death, it is no longer necessary to exert Hilloula of our Rav and teacher Rabbi where access is difficult, and so again an effort and toil for Torah, for at that Haim Pinto Zatzal, all these tzaddikim I asked myself: “Why did these tzad- point one may rest in peace and tran- will join him and say: “We know your dikim not merit to be buried in more quility. Thus the tzaddikim are called great-great-grandson. He came to our honorable places?” alive in their death. graves a few days ago.” My great- In the parsha we read, “No one We also had the merit of pray- great-grandfather will reply, “I derive knows his burial place to this day” ing by the grave of Rabbi Nachman immense joy from his tremendous (Devarim 34:6). Here too, there is rea- of Breslov, may his merit protect, as emunat chachamim.” All these tzaddi- son to ask why it was decreed that the well as by the grave of Rabbi Avra- kim will therefore become defenders location of Moshe’s grave should not ham HaMalach (the son of the Mag- for us and the entire Jewish people, for be known to anyone. Why is it impos- gid of Mezritch), may his merit protect their merit is without limit. This is be- sible to visit his grave? Moshe brought us. Numerous people say to me, “But cause they devoted themselves to the down the Torah from Mount Sinai, you don’t belong to that Chassidic fire of the Torah during their lifetime. transmitted it to us, and also devoted his body and soul to his people. Is this group! Why are you going to visit When we arrived at the graves of his reward? Why did he not deserve to be buried in an honorable place, one known by all? Therein lies the secret of their greatness. During their life, the tzad- dikim forsake all the vanities of this world and became like a desert, acces- sible to all. They scorn all the delights of this world without ever asking for rest or tranquility for themselves. They concern themselves only with the holy Torah, and in this way they merit greatness. When they leave this world, they ask to be buried in remote places, places that epitomize modesty and humility, just as they fled from fame and honor all through their lives. Nevertheless, their Torah is famous and their holy words are the subject of conversation at the table of our ven- erated teachers. Their names are ac- those graves?” This question contains the Vilna Gaon and Baal HaTanya, companied by praise, and their Torah a fundamental error, for ever since we may their merit protect us, I realized teachings are uttered with reverence were young, our parents instilled in us that the initial of the Vilna Gaon’s first and respect in all houses of study. emunat chachamim [faith in the sag- name (Eliyahu) and the initial of the This is one of the reasons why es], regardless of religious affiliation, Baal HaTanya first name (Shneur) to- our Sages said, “These are the tzad- for they are all holy and pure, resem- gether form the word esh (“fire”). This dikim, who in their death are called bling angels. This is a heritage that we alludes to the fire of the Torah which alive” (Berachot 18a). They “gave they studied during their lifetime. Fur- received from our holy ancestors. Our their lives” for the Torah, fulfilling thermore, the name Shneur is a combi- fathers always told us stories about the the teaching of our Sages on the verse, nation of shnei orot (two lights). The “When a man dies in a tent” (Bamid- great men of Israel, such as the Baal Baal HaTanya wrote a Shulchan Aruch bar 19:14), namely: “Words of Torah Shem Tov, the Vilna Gaon, and oth- that is known as the Shulchan Aruch are firmly held by one who kills him- ers. Therefore why not take advantage HaRav. Rabbi Yosef Karo Zatzal also self for it” (Berachot 63b). They have of such an opportunity by going to wrote a Shulchan Aruch, and together already known death in their lifetime pray by their graves, thereby receiving these two lights, these two great lumi- by abandoning their bodies and giving newfound inspiration in the service of naries, have been accepted by all Isra- their lives for the Torah, and it is only G-d? el. They carry the force of law, deter- 13 mining the conduct that all Jews must prevent the Jewish people from learn- come different trials and ignore the adhere to in every situation. Fortunate ing Torah. G-d arranged things pre- various obstacles to learning. It is by are we to have had the merit of praying cisely in this way, for therein lies a ba- devoting and sacrificing ourselves to by the graves of these tzaddikim. sic Torah principle: It must be studied Torah that we testify to the love we The essential greatness of these despite all the disruptive influences have for it. tzaddikim stems from the fact that that surround it. It is for this reason Thus the verse states, “The voice they studied Torah in hardship, de- that it was given amid great pomp and is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are voting themselves to it constantly. ceremony: In order for the nations of the hands of Esau” (Bereshith 27:22). They ignored all the obstacles and tri- the world to hear it, to be filled with G-d arranged things in such a way that als they encountered, for it is only in hatred for the Jewish people, and to when “the voice of Jacob” is heard this way that one acquires Torah: By come and disrupt their learning. It is in the Beit HaMidrash, “the hands overcoming various difficulties. It is incumbent upon Israel to overcome of Esau” come and try to disrupt his known that the Torah was given amid such difficulties. Such is the greatness learning. Unfortunately, the wicked Esau comes in various forms. As soon “thunder and lightening…and the of Torah. as a person sits down to study, Esau appears as a cell-phone that starts to ring. However if he perseveres, deter- mined to study and overcome all dis- ruptive influences, G-d will definitely help him overcome his inclination, and it is precisely in this way that he proves his love for Torah. When the voice of Jacob is heard despite the hands of Esau trying to disrupt him, then his Torah learning will be of great value. Given that he devotes himself and puts an effort into learning, his Torah will become an integral part of his personality. The Jewish people must therefore study Torah and cleave to it during this difficult exile. We now headed towards a large bridge in Ukraine that was built over a river. It is said that the Nazis, may G-d blot out their names, murdered sound of the shofar was very power- Thus our Sages recount that G-d hundreds of thousands of Jews in this ful” (Shemot 19:16). Why did the To- gave three gifts to Israel, and all of area, may G-d avenge their blood, rah have to be given amid such noise? them were given only through suffer- throwing so many of their bodies into Why was it not given discreetly? How ing (Berachot 5a). One of these gifts the river that it became red. These are can we say that it was in order for non- is Torah, in order for a person to over- Jews to hear the giving of the Torah, since they refused to accept it? What advantage was there in making them hear the Jewish people receiving the Torah? I thought that I would explain this according to the words of our Sages, namely that when non-Jews heard the Torah being given on Mount Sinai, ha- tred penetrated their hearts. Hence the mountain is called Sinai, for the na- tions of the world felt sin’ah (hatred) for Israel (Shabbat 89a). Since that time, they try by all possible means to 14 among the terrible hardships that the father Zatzal and told him what had him stay alive. About ten years ago he Jewish people have endured, and yet happened. When I saw him, a large came to see me in tears, explaining his Jews still cling to G-d and His Torah. smile lit up his face. He then said, terrible illness to me. He wanted me to As King David said, “Because for “Know, my son, that it was the merit pray so that he could live for another Your sake we are killed all day long” of the Torah that I was now studying year and have the merit of seeing his (Tehillim 44:23). These tzaddikim, whose graves we visited, also had the merit of overcoming every difficulty they faced in life, devoting themselves entirely to the Torah. Hence they were able to elevate themselves and reach such high levels. This is why G-d fulfills their wish- es, as the Sages say: “The tzaddik decrees and G-d executes.” He even changes nature for them, for just as a tzaddik overcomes his own inclina- tion, changes his nature, and submits his will to that of the Torah, likewise G-d changes nature for a tzaddik and makes it submit to him. When I was eight years old, still an unruly child filled with energy, I was once jumping upon the roof of a synagogue named after Rabbi David In the Ohel of Baal Shem Tov ben Baruch, may his merit protect us. I suddenly fell through a gaping hole that saved you.” My father, may he only daughter, who had recently mar- in the roof and remained hanging be- rest in peace, had already seen by Ru- ried, give birth. He explained that he tween heaven and earth. I was utterly ach HaKodesh what would happen to had tremendous faith in the tzaddikim, terrified, for I found myself between me. His merit had therefore protected especially Rabbi Haim Pinto Hagadol, life and death. For several hours, I me, for the tzaddik decrees and G-d may his merit protect us, and he want- held on with my two hands with all executes. ed him to be his defender and to save my strength, calling out for help, until A Jew in the United States by the him. I therefore implored Hashem to finally a woman came into the syna- name of Bernard Cohen has been af- save him by the merit of my holy an- gogue to prepare the lights. When she flicted with a serious illness for ten cestors, and six months later he came saw me hanging there, she immediate- years. In fact he should have died long to tell me that, thank G-d, his daugh- ly called for help from people passing ago, and his doctors cannot under- ter was pregnant. He later returned to by, and thank G-d I was saved in a mi- stand why he has survived. Yet it is the tell me that she had brought a son into raculous way. They brought me to my merit of my holy ancestors that helps the world, at which point he began to weep, asking me to bless him so he could live to see his grandson’s Bar Mitzvah. I saw his great anguish, and my heart was filled with compassion for him. I again prayed on his behalf through the merit of my holy ances- tors, and now here we are, ten years later, and thank G-d this man func- tions like a normal person despite his illness. The greatest medical experts in the United States do not understand why he is still alive. Moreover, they have told him directly: “You should have already died. We don’t under- 15 Hilula of Rabbi Chaim Pinto (Essaouira - Morrocco) It would be murder, and idolatry” (Tanchuma, a mistake to Metzora 2), as well as: “When the think that we wicked become guilty of Lashon were on some Harah, Gehinnom says to G-d: ‘Sov- kind of enjoy- ereign of the universe, I cannot punish able vacation. them according to what they deserve, In fact it was nor can the whole world punish them a difficult and sufficiently. This habitual speaker of tiring journey, Lashon Harah has sinned from here to during which the heavens’ ” (Tanna D’vei Eliyahu time we nei- 18). Who will not tremble upon read- ther ate nor ing the words of this Midrash brought slept properly. by the Chafetz Chaim? Even the fires However we of Gehinnom will not suffice to pun- On the grave of Rabbi Itzchak Levy of Berditshev experienced ish the speaker of Lashon Harah! This t r e m e n d o u s is why a person must reflect upon and stand what’s keeping you alive.” For joy in the shadow of the tzaddikim, and realize that he must not invest any his part, he tells them that it’s faith our neshama (soul) certainly felt great time or energy into increasing his own in the Creator of the world that keeps satisfaction and delight, amassing im- honor or lowering that of others. This him alive. Such is the sincere faith of mense faith in G-d and the sages. world is ephemeral, and even if a per- a simple man in these tzaddikim and Wealthy businessmen from the son has been hurt, he should forgive. their sanctity. All those who believe four corners of the globe joined us, When I did some soul-searching at the in them and learn from their ways will abandoning their businesses, closing end of 5768, I realized that a great deal merit deliverance from G-d, for their their offices, and losing days of work. of Lashon Harah was said about me. I merit is immense. The main thing was to participate in accepted everything with love for the atonement of my sins. Such are the tri- May the merit of their Torah and this journey, whose nature was en- tirely spiritual. They also understood als of life, and fortunate are those who piety help us grow in Torah and the are among the offended rather than fear of Heaven. May they constitute that emunat chachamim (faith in the Sages) is a great thing. By having faith among those who offend. We must a defense both for us and the entire in a tzaddik, who is G-d’s servant, a draw our inspiration from the tzad- Jewish people, for a good life and for person also increases his faith in G-d. dikim whose graves we visited. How peace. Amen and amen. Therein lies man’s primary nourish- greatly did they distance themselves A Wall and a Refuge for Us on ment, without which his life would from evil and devote themselves sole- the Day of Wrath not be a life, as the prophet Habakkuk ly to the holy Torah! “When I call out the Name of said: “The righteous shall live by his The merit of the tzaddikim is enor- Hashem, ascribe greatness to our faith” (Habakkuk 2:4). mous. Our Sages tell us, “Rabba said in G-d.” – Devarim 32:3 A person who wants to succeed in the name of Rabbi Yochanan, ‘In time to come the tzaddikim will be called After our extensive pilgrimage to life must strengthen his faith in G-d and realize that this world is a place of by the Name of the Holy One, blessed the graves of the tzaddikim in Ukraine, falsehood. Yet man, in his foolishness, be He, for it is said: “Everyone who is we traveled to Morocco for the great naively thinks that he will live forever. called by My Name” [Isaiah 43:7].’ … Hilloula of our Rav and teacher, Rabbi He seeks to acquire ever more honor Rabbi Elazar said, ‘There will come a Haim Pinto Hagadol Zatzal. It was al- and prestige, corrupting his soul with time when kadosh will be said before ready the fourth consecutive year that bad character traits in order to lower the tzaddikim, just as it is said before we had prayed by the graves of the his fellowman and ap- tzaddikim in Ukraine and its surround- pear better by compari- ings before traveling to the Hilloula son. Thus he transgress- of Rabbi Haim Pinto, may his merit es the prohibition against protect us. By doing so, we hoped to speaking Lashon Harah, acquire even more advocates and de- concerning which our fenders to act both for us and all Israel, Sages have said, “The that we may all be sealed in the book sin of Lashon Harah is of the tzaddikim for a good life and for greater than adultery, peace. Amen. 16 Rabbi Avraham Ha-Malakh son of the maguid of Mezrich the Holy One, blessed be He’ ” (Bava sanctity shines from Batra 75b). In fact each Jew already afar. Such is the carries G-d’s Name in himself, since greatness and sanc- the numerical value of the term adam tity of the tzaddikim. (“man”) is 45, while the numerical We can now un- value of the Tetragrammaton (yud- derstand the state- kei-vav-kei) is 26. Now when we spell ment that we cited each of these letters out in full, we ob- above: The Jewish tain the following values: people are called “yud” = yud [10] + vav [6] + dalet “Adam,” but the na- [4] = 20 tions of the world are “hei” = hei [5] + aleph [1] = 6 not. We need to think about this: Do the “vav” = vav [6] + aleph [1] + vav peoples of the world [6] = 13 not look like human “hei” = hei [5] + aleph [1] = 6 beings? Then why At the synagogue in Uman Adding these values together are they not worthy which you carry? From now on, you no (20+6+13+6), we obtain 45, the nu- of being called “Adam,” especially longer merit the name “Adam,” which merical value of “Adam.” As the Ge- since the first man was called “Adam,” contains an allusion to My holy Name, mara tells us, the Jewish people are for he was created from the earth? The but rather aphar (dust) – composed of called “Adam,” but the nations of the nations of the world were also created the same letters as pa’ar (chasm) – for world are not (Yebamot 61a). Thus from the earth. Furthermore, after the a huge chasm has opened between you each Jew has tremendous importance first man sinned, why did G-d curse and I on account of your sin. and his soul shines because he carries him by saying: “For dust you are, and Nevertheless, we must realize that G-d’s Name. Nevertheless, because of unto dust shall you return” (Bereshith through Torah study, a person has the the impurity that reigns in the world, 3:19)? Why “dust” and not “Adam,” ability to regain the level of the first we do not sense this sanctity, just as it given that this was his name at the be- man before his sin and to rectify what is impossible to see a person’s beauty ginning? he ruined as a result, thereby shrinking in a dark room. Real beauty can only To me the answer seems to be the the chasm created by the sin. It is for be perceived in the light, and the same following: Before the sin, the first man this reason that G-d made coats of skin applies to the sanctity of a Jew. Today was at a very great spiritual level, as [ohr: ayin-vav-resh] for the first man. the darkness brought about by im- the Gemara tells us: Adam’s heels The Midrash (Bereshith Rabba 20:12) purity acts as a screen. In the future, were like two orbs of the sun (Bava tells us that in Rabbi Meir’s Torah, it however, G-d will remove all forms Batra 58a). This is why he was initially is written “coats of light” [ohr: aleph- of idolatry and every spirit of impu- called “Adam,” in order to illustrate his vav-resh]. Now light designates To- rity from the world, at which point we immense greatness. As we explained rah, as it is written: “For a mitzvah is a will be able to see the Name of G-d above, the numerical value of “Adam” lamp and the Torah is light” (Mishlei in every Jew. On the other hand, the is 45, which alludes to G-d’s Name. 6:23). In fact G-d told the first man, tzaddikim draw their strength from the It is for this reason that he was called “Devote yourself to the light contained World to Come, not the present world, Adam, for he sensed the pure soul that in the Torah, and through it you will whose impurity does not affect them. G-d had breathed into him at the time be able to regain your name Adam, Furthermore, brightness and splendor of his creation, and he wanted to draw which alludes to My holy Name.” This emanate from them, for they bear G- as close to G-d as possible. Yet after is why the Jewish people, who study d’s Name upon themselves and their his sin, all the sanctified lights within G-d’s Torah, are called “Adam,” for him faded, until G-d even- they regain this title through the study tually asked him: “Where of Torah. are you” (Bereshith 3:9). In the expression atem keruyim In other words: Where Adam (“you are called Adam”), the are you spiritually? Can word atem is composed of the same you still be called Adam, letters as emet (truth), an allusion to whose numerical value is Torah Emet – the Torah of Truth. It the same as My Name? Do is only through Torah that we merit you still sense My Name the title of Adam, which refers to

At kiev with the man that Rabbi David was the Sandak 17 G-d’s Name. However non-Jews, tzaddikim. We were thus fortunate go through will be for the good, and who do not possess Torah, cannot be to have been able to pray by their that these tzaddikim will protect us called Adam. This constitutes a clear graves, for their merit is sufficient to and all Israel. warning to Jews: If you do not devote help us, especially during the month I also experienced various health yourself to the study of Torah, despite of Elul, in order that we may be in- problems this year. I won’t go into de- being a Jew, you will not be worthy of scribed and sealed for a good life and tail, but suffice it to say that I needed a being called Adam. Instead you will for peace. great deal of strength to overcome all be called aphar, which is composed We have a great need for the that I went through. Without a doubt, it was my visit to the graves of the tzaddikim at the end of the past year that gave me the strength to overcome these obstacles. In fact I absorbed a great deal of faith in G-d during that time. I know that everything G-d does is for the good, and that we must bless Him for all that we receive, both good and bad. Who knows what evil decree could have ensued, G-d forbid? How- ever the trials that I went through an- nulled them, G-d willing, and these curses will end as the year comes to a close and a new year filled with bless- ing begins. From an economic point of view as well, this year was one of the worst that people have seen. Financial mar- of the same letters as pa’ar, for there merit of these tzaddikim. Let them kets crashed and the wealthy went is a great chasm between you and help and defend us in the coming bankrupt one after another. Many of G-d. Only through Torah alone can year. Personally, this past year has these individuals had made numerous a Jew once again merit the name been very difficult for me. Adver- promises to me which they were un- “Adam.” saries rose up against me, trying to able to keep, given that they lost their We can now understand what our spill my blood and extort money money. In fact it would have also been Sages meant by saying that the first from me, as the verse says: “There logical had I collapsed financially, man is ashamed when he sees the is no fear of G-d in this place, and since I’m responsible for maintain- tzaddikim leaving this world and ar- they will kill me” (Bereshith 20:11). ing numerous institutions that operate riving in the World of Truth. In fact I do not understand how people can on enormous budgets. However the when he sinned, G-d removed the try and appropriate money destined goodness of G-d prevailed, for “relief title of “Adam” from him, which for sanctified endeavors. How can and deliverance will come to the Jews contained the Name of G-d. Now they not be afraid of touching tzed- from another place” (Esther 4:14). these tzaddikim, by studying Torah dakah money and pocketing it? This Places from which I did not expect any throughout their entire lives, have re- money was given to me by people help at all were the very places that gained this title and become superior who wanted to atone for their souls came to my rescue, for G-d has vari- to the first man, having attained his so they could be saved from grave ous means at His disposal. Each year I level before the sin and carrying G- illnesses. Their money was intended spend thousands of dollars distributing d’s Name. By doing so, they testify for avrechim who devote themselves numerous books around the world for to the honor of G-d. In fact were it to Torah, in order for their merit to free, the main thing being for people not for Adam’s sin, for which G-d bring them healing. How can these to study them and thereby strengthen decreed death upon all of human- hollow individuals dare steal such themselves in Torah and the fear of ity, the tzaddikim would not need to money? Have they no shame? Don’t G-d. That is my consolation and joy die. They are actually punished on they fear the consequences of their in this world, to see Jews who were far account of Adam, and it is for this deeds? I trust in my Creator, how- returning to G-d and doing teshuvah reason that he is ashamed. From here ever, not to abandon me, believing on account of my writings. Thank we understand the greatness of the with all my heart that everything I G-d, our institutions include numerous 18 high-caliber bnei Torah who are also The Greatness of the Sancti- our Father in Heaven, and if the fa- bnei aliyah (people who constantly fied Brit Milah thers were not allowed to perform cir- seek to grow and perfect themselves “When you go out to war against cumcision, we see that their sons are spiritually). They diligently study To- your enemies and Hashem your G-d returning to their roots, thank G-d, and rah with all their might, one tractate delivers him into your hand….” – diligently fulfilling this mitzvah even after another, and thank G-d we can Devarim 21:10 when they are older. hear the sounds of Torah. This expan- Our Sages teach that this verse is The merit of the brit milah is great. sion has strengthened and encouraged speaking about the war against the Through this mitzvah, in fact, the body me, which is comforting. evil inclination, which is man’s great- of man becomes subservient to G-d. I I thank G-d for having done a tre- est enemy. The Ben Ish Hai states that have known many people who have mendous kindness to me by letting me the evil inclination constantly tries to committed numerous sins, but they maintain not only our own Torah insti- make a person stumble in the prohi- eventually did complete teshuvah. tutions, but also numerous other Torah bition of arayot (forbidden relations), I am convinced that this was due institutions around the world. We all G-d forbid. The passage contin- have but one and the same goal: To ues: “…and you see among the spread Torah and to glorify it. We all captives a woman of beautiful have a single heart for our Father in form” (Devarim 21:11). This Heaven. Each place in which the To- shows us just how precise the rah is found gives me joy and satisfac- Ben Ish Hai’s statement is, as tion, all this due to G-d’s goodness, we see from our verse in Parsha “for His kindness is everlasting.” Ki Teitzei: “When you go out to Baruch Hashem, G-d has provided war” – against the evil inclina- me with fine administrators who have tion, which tires to make a man been sacrificing themselves for their stumble when he sees a beautiful sacred institutions in various places woman. Now the evil inclination for over 20 years. These are good makes its way into man from people, devoted individuals who faith- birth. Hence to protect himself fully carry out their task: Rav Eliyahu from it, G-d ordered him to be Sitbon Shlita, Rav Itshak Marciano circumcised on the eighth day. We to the merit of the brit milah, which Shlita, Rav Moshe Mirali Shlita, Rav shall now discuss the importance of is sealed in their flesh. This mitzvah Gabriel Elbaz Shlita, Hanania Sous- the brit milah. had a profound effect on their souls, and although it wasn’t their intention, san and others. Everyone will be men- Yesterday we prayed by the grave they drew closer to G-d and cleaved to tioned for the good, and they will suc- of the Chafetz Chaim, may he rest in Him. Our Sages teach that when King ceed in all that they do to spread Torah peace, as well as by the graves of the David entered the bathhouse and saw and glorify it. Now I know that many Vilna Gaon and the Baal Shem Tov, himself naked, he said: “Woe is me, people have had their eyes on them, may their merit protect us. Today for I stand naked without any mitz- wanting to take their place. However with G-d’s help, we shall be visiting vot about me” (Menachot 43b). Yet I know that they are upright men, ex- the grave of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of he had great joy when he recalled the tremely loyal to me. Therefore may it Berditchev Zatzal, the defender of Is- mitzvah of the brit milah on his body, be His will for them to succeed in ev- rael. Here in Ukraine, G-d has granted for it constitutes a sign: The seal of the erything they do. me the merit of being the Sandak for King engraved in our flesh. May G-d allow us to constantly in- the circumcision of a young man who crease the honor of the Torah in Eretz is 18 years old. I have read the following discus- sion in the writings of my forefather, Israel and the world for the sake of His It is known that in the Soviet Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto Zatzal: On ac- glory and that of His Torah, and may Union, the communists wanted to count of the brit milah, a man is able all of our deeds be completely untaint- make the Jewish people forget its To- to be upright and becomes acceptable ed by self-interest. rah, just as the Greek empire tried to and appreciated by G-d. Why then May it be His will for these tzad- do in its time. The Greeks did not even have we been commanded to perform dikim, by whose graves we prayed, to allow circumcisions to be performed. circumcision at 8 days, since an indi- act as our defenders so that we may Nevertheless we have G-d’s promise vidual is not cognizant of the mitzvah be inscribed and sealed in the book of that this mitzvah will never disappear at that time? Why not wait until he the tzaddikim for a good life and for from among the Jewish people. It is a grows up and understands the mean- peace. Amen and amen. sign of the covenant between us and 19 ing of the mitzvah? Why not have it tects man from the kelipah, which can the seal of G-d in his flesh, being able performed with the necessary atten- no longer penetrate his gates. Here the to cleave to G-d and His Torah much tion and with complete awareness? gates of Israel refer to the openings of more easily. My forefather answered this ques- the body, such as the eyes, ears, and This young man of 18 years for tion in the following way: Man is im- mouth. These body parts require great whom I served as a Sandak was named portant in the eyes of the Creator, Who protection in order to prevent impurity Israel Zalman David. It was a merit for exerts His providence upon the entire from making its way inside. Forbidden me to hear his first names, to serve as Jewish people – to whom He is con- words must not reach the ears, forbid- a Sandak, and to make the Kiddush, nected with bonds of love – at an in- den words must not be spoken by the for “a three-ply cord is not easily bro- dividual level. G-d also wants to pro- mouth, forbidden food must not enter ken” (Kohelet 4:12). In his name I saw tect man and give him a way of saving the mouth, etc. As the verse states, a nice allusion. Israel Zalman David: himself even as a newborn. Then when “Officers and judges shall you appoint The numerical value of his initials he grows up, he will be able to study at all your gates” (Devarim 16:18). (yud-zazin-dalet) is 21, like the Divine Torah and fulfill mitzvot, thereby ben- Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin Zatzal ex- Name Eheyeh. The book Sha’arei Orah efiting from even more protection. If plains that a man must place officers states that of all the sacred Names, this a man’s circumcision were to be de- at the various gates of his body: Ears, one is the most honored. Just as the layed, G-d forbid, and he was still de- eyes, etc, in order for the evil inclina- branches are second to the tree, like- void of Torah and mitzvah, the kelipah tion not to make its way inside. In that wise the other sacred Names are less [a shell or “husk” of impurity] would case, due to the mitzvah of brit milah, predominant than this Name. In his cleave to him. Even if he were to study the name Sh-ddai (“Guardian of the Guide to the Perplexed, the Rambam Torah as an adult, it would be too Gates of Israel”) takes affect, mean- states that G-d revealed Himself to the late; it would be difficult to separate ing that G-d will start helping a man Jewish people when they were in Egypt him from this impurity. Hence when to protect his gates and his openings through this sacred Name: Eheyeh ash- a baby is only 8 days old, G-d com- from all impurity and blemishes. er eheyeh (“I shall be what I shall be” mands that his foreskin be removed, Not only does a man carrying – Shemot 3:14). This is an existential thereby protecting him from the ke- this seal in his flesh have the merit of Name that contains past, present, and lipah until he grows up, becomes an drawing closer to G-d, so too does a future. In this I saw an allusion from adult, and starts devoting himself to man who (although still uncircum- Heaven. We are in the month of mer- Torah and mitzvot. The term shmona cised) finds himself among circum- cy, and it is certain that G-d, through (“eight”) is formed by the same letters cised Jews. An atmosphere of sanctity the sacred Name Eheyeh – alluded to as neshama (“soul”), for through the will already start to surround him and by the name of the young man being mitzvah of circumcision on the eighth lead him to purity. circumcised – infused us with a great day, a man’s soul cleaves to the Cre- An acquaintance told me that he sense of holiness and love for G-d dur- ator, Who protects him. once circumcised a 65-year-old man. ing his brit milah. The remarks of the Ben Ish Hai When he asked the man why he had I was overcome with emotion when (Parsha Lech Lecha, First Year) are waited so long, he replied that his par- I saw the young man of 18 years lying well-known: Until a man is circum- ents and all the members of his family on a bed, being careful not to move, like cised, he resembles a shed (evil spirit), had been deceived by the communist in the Akeidah of Isaac. This certainly for the kelipah is found on him. A authorities, and they completely aban- constituted a great defense for the Jewish grave spiritual danger threatens him, doned G-d’s mitzvot and His Torah. people, those who devote themselves to for such impurity can lower him into Nevertheless, two years earlier he fulfilling mitzvot. Our entire journey in the abyss without any chance of re- had seen his friends returning to their Ukraine was worth the effort, if only to pentance, G-d forbid. During the brit roots and sealing an eternal covenant participate in this circumcision, thanks milah, the foreskin is removed and the through the brit milah. A spirit of sanc- to which I was able to draw even closer letter yud is added to him. He there- tity came upon him at that point, and to G-d and strengthen myself in Torah by becomes Sh-ddai (one of G-d’s he decided to also get circumcised. The and mitzvot. Names), henceforth belonging to G-d mere fact of being with Jewish friends We later traveled to Uman, to- alone. This new name constitutes a who were attached to the Divine Pres- wards the grave of the tzaddik Rabbi great spiritual protection for his soul. ence had an influence on him. He too Nachman of Breslov. On the way, a The Name Sh-ddai contains would become circumcised and there- ferocious dog appeared before us and the initials of Shomer Daltot Israel by draw closer to Judaism. How much began to bark, and then it jumped on (“Guardian of the Gates of Israel”). more is a man moved by a spirit of us. I moved to push the dog away, and By removing the foreskin, G-d pro- sanctity when he permanently carries it ran towards the road. At that point 20 a motorcycle traveling at great speed was crushed and died. If the sanctity that he was called “Israel,” using the struck the dog and killed it. I began of Eliyahu takes shape in us, then the language of domination and greatness. to wonder: What’s the message in all impurity of the kelipah, symbolized by Yet all this is on condition that Jacob this? the dog, will automatically disappear. continues along the right path, in the I noted that the name Eliyahu has The young man’s other name, Is- path of modesty and humility that is the same numerical value as kelev rael, made me think of our father Ja- embodied by the name Jacob. (“dog”). Eliyahu designates Eliyahu cob, may he rest in peace, to whom The name Israel also contains an HaNavi, who goes to every circumci- G-d said: “Your name shall not be allusion to the holy Torah. The first sion, mentions the merit of the Jewish called Jacob any more, but Israel shall and last letters of this name – yud and people, and records them in a book. In be your name” (Bereshith 35:10). I lamed – together have a numerical Heaven he defends the Jewish people began to wonder why, at first glance, value of 40. This alludes to the Torah, who guard the holy covenant, thereby G-d had changed his name. The name which was given in 40 days. In the annulling accusations. On the other “Jacob” comes from eikev (“heel”), middle of the word are the letters resh, hand, we know that the dog alludes to alluding to the modesty and humility aleph, and sin, which together form the forces of impurity that seek to ac- that one must possess in order to merit the word rosh (“head”). The lesson cuse us, as King David said: “Rescue the crown of Torah. Why change his is the following: Only a person who my soul from the sword, my essence name to “Israel,” which embodies the studies the Torah that was given in 40 from the grip of the dog” (Tehillim notion of supremacy and domination? days will merit being the “head,” for 22:21). Our Sages have also said, Furthermore, why did G-d later call the crown of Torah is upon his head “Whoever speaks Lashon Harah…de- him by his initial name, “Jacob”? and makes him grow. It is for this rea- son that he is called “Israel,” but only serves to be cast to dogs” (Pesachim I would like to explain this by say- when he continues along the path of 118a). It is obvious that we are speak- ing that G-d wants to teach us that one “Jacob.” It is also for this reason that ing here about the forces of evil and im- thing depends on the other, meaning in regards to his descendants we read, purity that cleave to a person because that one name is connected to other. “Jacob’s thigh,” for they are “the tribes of the sin of Lashon Harah. Our Sages It is precisely when our father Jacob have also said, “A woman who has re- of Hashem, a testimony for Israel” is seated in the tents of Torah – when (Tehillim 122:4). They emerged from lations with a non-Jew becomes tied he is modest and humble, and he “kills Jacob’s thigh in holiness and purity. to him like a dog” (Zohar III:259b), himself” for Torah – that his greatness May it be G-d’s will that we merit for impurity attaches itself to her. We and essence are expressed. G-d told Ja- to cleave to His Torah and mitzvot, also read, “When dogs howl, [this is a cob that he would henceforth be called and may we walk in the path of our fa- sign that] the Angel of Death has come Israel, for a person cannot possibly re- ther Jacob, may peace be upon him, “a into town” (Bava Kama 60b). The dog main at the bottom if he devotes him- wholesome man, living in tents” (Be- is the only one to meet the Angel of self to learning Torah his entire life reshith 25:27), who humbled himself Death when it arrives in town, for it and sacrifices himself for it. This is be- to the ground. May the merit of the symbolizes the satan (i.e., the evil in- cause the Torah elevates a person and Torah protect us. Amen and amen. clination) and the kelipah. It was for makes him grow. It is for this reason this reason that King David prayed for G-d to save him from the impurity that is this insolent “dog.” Come morning, we had the merit of participating in the brit milah and finding ourselves in the presence of Eliyahu HaNavi, who is a source of sanctity. On the other side was the dog, a source of impurity, that had come to disrupt us and prevent us from partaking of this sanctity. This hap- pens because G-d creates things and their opposites, both having the same numerical value. Nevertheless, thank G-d, Eliyahu HaNavi’s sanctity was greater and overcame the forces of im- purity symbolized by the dog, which 21 Letters From Our Readers

strengthen himself in Torah and the what was happening, and they con- fear of G-d. The sick man agreed to ducted a series of tests on the man. As change his ways, and he left for the a result of these tests, they had to admit hospital with the cake. that our patient was in perfect health, At the hospital, come the time and that his illness had disappeared! for the operation, the doctors did not Mr. Saada was no longer sick! know how to tell him that his life was A True Story in grave danger and that his chances by Rabbi Nissim Bijaoui Zatzal of survival were slim. In the end, the “Rabbeinu Yoel,” a Sephardic physicians informed him of his situa- school in Bnei Brak named after the tion, and added that if he believed in tzaddik Rabbi Yoel of Satmar, recent- G-d, he should pray. ly organized a fundraising dinner to All the preparations for the op- support its activities. eration had been completed, and our This dinner was chaired and at- patient remembered that Rabbi David tended by Rabbi David Shlita. It was a had given him some cake with the or- great Kiddush Hashem. In attendance der to eat it just before the operation. were a great variety of people: Ash- When he informed his doctor that he kenazim, Sephardim, Chassidim, very had a cake that a Rav had instructed religious as well as less religious indi- him to eat before the operation, the viduals. Everyone attentively listened doctor replied that if he had received a to the words of Rabbi David Shlita, promise from the Rav that this would and one had the impression of being help him, he should eat it. The doctor at the foot of Mount Sinai. also suggested that he keep a little for after the operation, thinking that given At the end of the dinner, as Rabbi the state of the patient, why shouldn’t David was about to leave the hall, a By the Merit of Rabbi Haim he enjoy some cake? disabled woman approached him. She Pinto As the surgeon began to oper- could not move on her own. She told It was Sunday, 10 Adar II, 5755 ate on the patient, he saw that it was Rabbi David that her husband had (March 12, 1995). Rabbi David Pinto hopeless and closed him back up. As recently died in a car accident as he Shlita was the Sandek at the circumci- soon as the patient awoke, the physi- was driving to Netivot to give a Torah sion of Mr. David Cohen’s son, from cian came to see him and reminded class. As for herself, the shock of this the Sarcelles community. During the him that there was still a piece of cake news had caused her to lose the use of seuda that followed the brit, the Mo- that he should eat. The physician then her legs. hel (none other than Dr. Attias) arose informed the man’s family that there This woman asked for a bracha to and described a miracle that had taken was nothing they could do. However walk again, as well as to be able to place by the merit of Rabbi Haim Pin- Hashem brings healing when man give Torah classes, which she used to to Zatzal. does not believe. give to women. Coming to see Rabbi David was Our patient ate the remainder of Rabbi David was deeply pained a person who was so ill that his life the cake. Several weeks later, he told upon hearing this account. He was was in danger. He had come to the his doctors that he felt much better, moved by the case of this woman, Rav seeking a blessing, for he had to to their utter astonishment. In fact who wanted to be healed especially so undergo a serious operation. The Rav the opposite should have happened, she could continue to teach Torah. blessed him and gave him a small and yet the more time that passed, the cake to eat just before the operation. Rabbi David blessed her. At the more his condition improved, until the He also asked him if he had faith in same time, he approached the direc- Hashem and the tzaddikim, and in- day came when our patient was com- tor of the school that was organiz- sisted that he change his ways and pletely healed! ing the dinner. Now the director had The doctors did not understand asked Rabbi David for a bracha to find 22 $20,000 to cover the school’s debts. help him fulfill his commitment. ed and landed upon a grave, but the Letters From Our Readers Rabbi David connected both requests Present in the hall that night was an wind was so strong that it pushed the and exclaimed, “If Hashem performs extremely wealthy man who invited bird off. Time and again, however, it a miracle for this woman and allows Rabbi David to the inauguration of a came back to the grave. It would hang her to use her legs again, I will per- Sefer Torah written in the memory of on by flattening its body so the wind sonally cover the school’s debts!” his parents. The inauguration was to wouldn’t catch it. When I approached A few months passed. The same take place on the very next day at the the grave, the bird looked at me, but it school organized another large din- King David Hotel in Jerusalem. Rabbi didn’t seem afraid. I then tried to de- ner. Rabbi David traveled to Israel David accepted the invitation, and on cipher the barely visible inscription. It just to chair the event, which had the following day, as he arrived at the read “Meyer Lugassy.” Tears began more participants than the first dinner. hotel, the man warmly welcomed him to roll from my eyes, and I couldn’t Before the packed hall, Rabbi David and demonstrated great respect for do anything to hold them back. gave an amazing discourse, encourag- him. He also gave him an envelope Several months later, I went to see ing people to constantly focus on the containing a check for his institu- Rabbi David Pinto for a blessing. At performance of mitzvot and the study tions. the end of our conversation, I decided of Torah. His words, which were A little later, when Rabbi David to share this incident with him. As I heard amid the greatest of silence, had opened the envelope, he almost faint- was about to describe it to him, say- a great impact on everyone in atten- ed. It contained a check for $20,000 ing “I have to tell you something,” dance. – precisely the same amount that he he cut me off and said: “Silence!” When he finished speaking, Rab- needed! Rabbi David Shlita therefore He then raised his two hands towards bi David arose and wanted to leave gave the check to the director of the the heavens, and his consciousness the hall. At that point a woman ap- school. seemed to be elsewhere for a minute or two. His face then turned back to proached him with tears in her eyes, The Bird at the Cemetery me and he said, “What happened to telling him that she was the person While traveling to Morocco, in you was a great miracle.” At that point who had asked for a bracha to walk Agadir, I decided to go with a friend he described in detail the incident at again a few months earlier. She said, to Essaouira (Mogador), the city the cemetery, without me telling him “By the merit of your holy ancestors, where my parents lived and where a single word. He explained that this by the merit of Rabbi Haim Pinto, my grandparents, Meyer and Estrella bird was the soul of my grandfather, the bracha was fulfilled. I now walk Hamouth Lugassy, are buried. As we who had returned to earth in order for perfectly!” It was an extraordinary were going to the cemetery, I asked me to come closer to Judaism. Kiddush Hashem. Everyone in the my friend to wait for me outside be- hall wanted to hear the story of this cause I wanted to be alone when I Dr. Laurent Lugassy woman. Everyone, even the greatest prayed by the graves. I then began to Marseille, France talmidei chachamim present, wanted look for them. However the old Jew- The Flight that Didn’t Ap- to receive a bracha from Rabbi David ish cemetery is located by the ocean, pear on the Computer Monitor Shlita. Emotions were overflowing! and a constant and intense wind seems From Mr. Maurice O. of Paris In the meantime, a slight concern to have erased all the inscriptions on appeared on the face of Rabbi David the graves. After an hour of looking, November 4, 1999 Shlita. As much as he rejoiced for it was impossible to find those graves. Dear Rabbi, this woman, he was now concerned Having traveled so far without visiting I would like to take this opportu- because he remembered that he had my grandparents seemed unthinkable nity, dear Rabbi, to describe to you committed himself to giving the to me. I then asked for help from the what will forever remain engraved in school $20,000 upon the woman’s cemetery custodian, but because of the my memory. Yet for this, and at the healing. Where was he going to find hopelessness of the task he eventually risk of seeming longwinded, I need to such a sum of money? said to me: shuff (“go look”). relate everything to you. No reason to lose hope, Rabbi Da- I then decided to go to the mau- In 1999 I went through a difficult vid said to himself. We need to have soleum of the great saint Rabbi Haim and painful period in my life. As it faith in G-d: “He Who healed this Pinto of blessed memory, and to offer turned out, I was deprived of my lib- woman will have no trouble obtaining a prayer to find these graves. erty. During this time you met with my the necessary amount.” As soon as I returned to look for mother, who conveyed your blessings Rabbi David prayed and appealed them, I saw four birds that were flying to me, as well as your certainty that I to the merit of Rabbi Haim Pinto to in the air. One of the birds descend- would soon be released. You also as- 23 sured her by saying that I would be by that maybe it was flying out of Orly. August 31, 1999 your side at the Hilloula in Essaouira But it was not. A manager at Royal Dear Rav Pinto, in September. Air Maroc was therefore called and As Rosh Hashanah approaches, we Now at the time, my lawyers (who did a little searching. He then dis- look over the events of the past year, were quite prestigious) weren’t telling covered that an empty plane was be- our deeds, our conduct, and our hopes. me such good news. On the contrary, ing sent back to Morocco, and that I We put an effort into giving our life a they expected me to be imprisoned for should never have been sold a ticket greater spiritual meaning. We are in- several months. for this non-commercial flight. credibly thankful for this past year, During my first appearance before Thus a flight had appeared on my and wish to tell you our story. the judge, and to the great surprise of travel agent’s monitor on a Friday We came to see you for the first my lawyers (and myself for that mat- (when it shouldn’t have appeared), time in May 1998. My wife was hav- ter), I was instantly released. and yet on Sunday it didn’t appear ing difficulty becoming pregnant, and It was my mother who reminded at all! How could that be? Only G-d our friends suggested that we see you me that I had to immediately travel knows. The pilot eventually accepted for a blessing. In your office, we ex- me on board as the only passenger. plained our problem and the fact that Without a crew, I was the only one on conception through natural means was the plane with the pilot and copilot, as no longer feasible. In desperation, we the accompanying photos show and went to an in-vitro fertilization spe- my travel agent can attest to. cialist. A few minutes into our con- I hope to be among your guests versation, you asked us: “What does for a long time to come. Very touched Sarah represent to you?” Surprised, by your concern and your blessings, Carolyn asked you for an explanation: I wanted to present this story so ev- “Are you referring to Abraham and eryone can believe in the power of a Sarah?” We then discussed the Bibli- tzaddik’s blessing. I swear before the cal fact that Sarah had difficulty -be Almighty as to the accuracy of my coming pregnant, and that eventually statements. Hashem helped her conceive. As we Rabbi, I thank you with all my left your office, you told me that the heart. next time we see each other, my wife to the pilgrimage that was to begin will be pregnant. Obviously, my wife Rabbi David Pinto’s Comment: on the day following my release. I was anxious and impatient to know therefore took steps to book a flight, A person who wishes to attribute exactly when you would be returning but it was impossible to make it to the things mentioned in this letter to to New York. Essaouira without transgressing a combination of coincidences, or to I would like to underline that after Shabbat. My mother and I agreed chance, by finding all sorts of “logi- having listened to your Dvar Torah, that I had to cancel the trip. Ten cal” explanations for them, will only I attended a Gemara class given by minutes after I made this decision, end up diminishing his faith and in- Rabbi Yosef Kalatsky every morn- you called me from Essaouira and creasing his doubts. On the contrary, ing. I also decided to make an effort told me that you were waiting for one must always be certain that every- me at the big event. to participate in the three daily prayers thing is the fruit of Divine providence, with a minyan. I again contacted my travel agent, not the result of chance. Hashem is who now told me that a seat was present everywhere, and man’s entire After several fruitless attempts by our doctors, we decided to begin in- available on a flight to Casablanca on life is filled with miracles. The more vitro fertilization treatments. The first Sunday, September 5 at 6:00 am. My that a person increases his faith and cycle took place in August 1998. At travel agent also found a private flight allows himself to be guided by Hash- the time, we were informed of your from Casablanca to Essaouira. em, the closer he will come to Him imminent return to New York, and Arriving at Roissy in Paris for my and the more he will serve Him with a we were hopeful that this cycle would trip to Casablanca, I found no trace of love that grows stronger and deeper. this flight on the monitors, and I was be crowned with success. Yet to our Twins by the Merit of Rabbi told at the information desk that the great disappointment, the treatment flight didn’t even exist. I insisted that Haim Pinto failed. As “fate” would have it, we it did and got out my ticket, thinking From Mr. and Mrs. David Levy of learned that your trip to New York New York had been canceled, though we were 24 very relieved that you weren’t aboard had been named after her great-grand- heard people speaking about a great Swissair flight 111, which as we know mother Hannah (on her mother’s side) rabbi from France, Rabbi David Pinto. ended tragically. and her great-grandmother Sarah (on She went to see him, along with my fa- Our next cycle of treatments be- her father’s side). Perhaps it was this ther and my uncle. As opposed to my gan after Yom Kippur. My wife and I Sarah that you were referring to during mother, who believed that I would get had started the year and the holidays our first meeting? By “chance,” when up again, my father held out no such with a heavy heart. The impossibil- we informed Carolyn’s parents that hope. Rabbi David Pinto received my ity of having children was a heavy we were having twins, they reminded father and asked him, “What mitzvah challenge to face. Nevertheless, the us that their grandmother Sarah had did your son purchase before the acci- story of Hanna (the mother of the given birth to twins! dent?” My father replied, “He used his prophet Samuel) gave us hope, and Our two daughters, Baruch Hash- money to purchase tefillin.” The Rav we prayed to Hashem to remember em, were born on June 4, 1999. then said to him, “Your son is saved by this mitzvah. He will get up and and answer us this very same year. Shana Tova! We approached the treatment cycle establish his own home in Israel.” My David, Carolyn, Margalit Ruth, with optimism that was strengthened father didn’t believe what he had just and Eliana Raizel Levy by our unwavering faith in Hashem. heard, and he repeated what the doc- This cycle was a fantastic success: The Mitzvah that Saved His tors had said. He even showed him all Ten ova were removed, and miracu- Life the tests, as well as the reports of the lously they were all fertilized. The From I.R.B. of Jerusalem doctors. The Rav got upset and said to him, “You have no faith. That’s the doctors implanted three embryos, December 25, 1998 though we had to wait two weeks answer given from Heaven: Your son My name is I.R.B. I am 28 years will recover, get married, and establish before knowing if Carolyn’s body old, and I have two children. Eight would reject them. These two weeks a home.” He even told my aunt, “Go years ago (on June 6, 1991) I had a back with joy, for a son will be born were filled with prayers and hope. road accident while serving in the We were also informed of your im- to your family.” At the time, my aunt army. I was not observant, but I be- wasn’t aware that her daughter was minent return to New York, and we lieved in G-d’s existence. I was a per- quickly made an appointment with pregnant. Since Rav Pinto Shlita had son on whom society had exerted a declared it, I awoke from my coma, your secretary to see you. harmful influence. and as time passed I had the feeling During the week of Parsha Vayeira As a result of the accident, I was that I had a new neshama. I got mar- (1998), the parsha that describes the in a comma for three months. The ried and had two children, and now I birth of the Patriarch Isaac, we learned doctors gave my parents no reason to give my neshama spiritual nourish- that Carolyn was finally pregnant! A hope. Even Dr. Rekhes, a specialist ment three times a day. I am including few weeks later (the week of Parsha in neurosurgery, declared: “It’s 99% some pictures, one before I recovered Toldot, in which Jacob and Esav are certain that he’ll never get up again, and one afterwards. My family and I born), we saw the heart beating on the and 1% depends on G-d.” Another personally wish to deeply thank you ultrasound. In his office, the doctor specialist said, “There’s no hope. for your blessings, and for all the hope explained to us that we were going to He’s occupying a bed for no reason.” that you gave our family. I’m living have twins. Only Dr. Poumrenets was optimis- proof of the power of Hashem, Who A few days later, we met you at tic. My mother stayed by my side 24 directs the world. Yad Avraham. Even before we told hours a day. She no longer took care The Lost Slip of Paper you the good news, you asked to see of the house, nor of my father, nor of From Mrs. L.S. of Villeurbanne Carolyn’s wedding ring. After a brief my two other brothers. She was by my October 25, 1999 inspection of the ring, you announced side day and night, and she slept on a that we would have two children. At chair. My cousin was to be married 10 Dear Rabbi David, that point, we told you what the doc- days after the accident, and the entire I would like to take this opportu- tor had said a few days earlier. family was very troubled. At the time, nity to express my gratitude to you for Among the different topics that we three distinguished physicians exam- comforting us, and to describe what I discussed, we mentioned that Caro- ined me and said: “There’s no hope. have gone through. lyn (whose Hebrew name is Hannah All you can do is pray to G-d.” My At the beginning of September, I Sarah Haya) had always thought she aunt went to see several rabbis here was to enter the hospital in order to had been named after a single person. in Israel, in the hope of hearing some undergo a serious operation, which I However her parents told her that she good news. Another one of my aunts had been putting off for months. The 25 week before the operation, my wor- usually changed (since it was closed), My appointment with Dr. Guerin ried mother came to see you, asking but to the only room available at the was scheduled for the beginning of that you pray for Hashem to send time: The one I had occupied during February 1994. At the hospital, Dr. me a refuah shelemah. Through your my hospital stay! Instinctively, I lifted Guerin made me undergo a series of kindness and understanding, as well the mattress up, and as incredible as tests (blood work, biopsies, and x- as the friendliness that you demon- it seems, the slip of paper was stuck rays), after which I returned home. strate to everyone who approaches between the base of the bed and the Three weeks later, I made another you, you listened to my mother. After mattress! I was stunned. My mother, appointment with the same doctor, a few moments of concentration and who was with me, couldn’t believe who met me in his office. There, he reflection, you comforted her as you her eyes. How can anyone explain the announced that I had cancer in my do so well, and you assured her that presence of that slip of paper in the sternum, which is quite rare. Without everything would be alright. At that bed, which had known plenty of pa- pulling any punches, he told me that I point you handed her a slip of paper tients since I left, and which had been didn’t have long to live, maybe a few upon which you had written some disinfected dozens of times? weeks or months at most. There was blessings. The instructions were that no hope for me, other than to try che- This sign, which will forever re- I was not let that slip of paper out of motherapy. main engraved in my memory, is as my presence; I was to always keep it incredible as it is unbelievable. At that My husband was unable to accom- at the head of my bed. I entered the instant I felt relieved and reassured, pany me on that day, meaning that hospital as planned, and thank G-d the and I knew that I would now get bet- I was alone. In tears, I made it back operation went well. During all the ter. Today, 12 months later, that slip home, though I’m not sure how. I was time that I was there, I watched over of paper is still under the head of my completely stunned, and from the time that slip of paper, which I carefully bed, and I’ve completely recovered that I heard the news, I couldn’t eat or placed between the base of the bed sleep; all I could do was cry. I envi- from my operation. I believe more and the mattress. It would often fall sioned my husband and children all than ever in the great merit of your through the base, however, since they alone, and that in itself tore my heart. ancestors. regularly disinfected the beds, as they I wasn’t feeling well; I had headaches do in every hospital. How many times May G-d protect you and all your that I wish upon no one, as well as ep- did I have pick it up off the floor? family. Thank you. isodes of vomiting and memory laps- Dozens of times! The Tumor that Disappeared es. I would take handfuls of pills, but On the day that I returned home, December 15, 1997 they no longer had any effect on me. I everyone was relying on somebody Dear Rabbi David, would sleep throughout the day, and I else, and the slip of paper remained reached the point at which I was tak- With this letter, I would like to tell in the hospital. As soon as I stepped ing morphine, which took immediate you my story: through the front door, I asked for the effect. I was taking eight pills a day, paper, but then realized that nobody It took place in 1993, when I was and I had become a drug addict. I took had taken it. I immediately called the pregnant with my last child, who was my pills with me everywhere I went, hospital, but was told that my room born on October 29, 1993, a boy that and if I were to ever forget them, I was already being occupied by some- I named David Moshe, after you and would have a panic attack. one else, and that everything had been your father. I had made an appointment for changed and disinfected. In short, I The doctor following my progress chemotherapy, but since the doctor had no hope of ever finding it again. detected a growth in my sternum. The said that I had no hope, I canceled it. I then became very upset, justifying growth, which by that time I already I thought for a long time and said to every ache that I felt, every bit of fa- had for several months, was not pain- myself: “If Hashem has given me four tigue, by the loss of that paper. It was ful. However I promised the doctor to children and wants me to leave this turning into an obsession! look into it after the birth of my child. world, then may His will be done.” The operation required that I return Therefore two and a half months after Always with my morphine, I com- to the hospital every day to clean the giving birth, I made an appointment mitted myself to taking care of my dressings, something that continued with my physician, Dr. Drai, for a children, my husband, my family, and for months. It took place in a different routine exam. This time he focused on my home. I pretended that I was al- section of the hospital than the one I this growth and recommended that I right. When my husband came to see had stayed in. One Sunday three weeks see a specialist. He referred me to Dr. you, before he could say anything at later, a series of events brought me not Guerin at the Red Cross Hospital in all, you told him that I was sick, very to the floor where my dressings were Lyon. sick. You also gave him a blessing for 26 me. We came to see you the following The Microorganism that brother (Dr. Meyer Naccache, a radi- Sunday, and you treated me like a cra- Disappeared ologist), who takes over for me. They zy woman because I didn’t want to un- (my mother and brother) go to Alexis Kfar Saba dergo treatment. I had seen my father Carel Hospital and urgently get some suffer, for he was afflicted with cancer March 22, 1998 new blood tests done. and had greatly suffered as a result of My mother arrives in Israel on My brother understands the risks his treatments, may his soul rest in Sunday, March 1, 1998. I go pick of septicemia, and makes sure that all peace. I didn’t want my husband and her up at Ben Gurion Airport. The the biological and radiological tests children to see me without hair, glued reunion is warm, and my mother are performed. seems to be in good health. She to the bed, and unable to help them. I On several occasions I ask my spends two days with my sister in had tremendous faith in Hashem, and mother and sister to call the Rav for Bnei Brak. My sister tells me that she every day I would pray for Him to per- his advice. I was very worried about form a miracle, not for me but for my has “caught a cold” and can’t speak her condition, and something was tell- small family, which I love above all, to me over the phone. In fact on the ing me that her state of health was may G-d protect them. I stayed like this second night, in going to visit her, I very precarious and worrisome. for at least six months, and I became a find that she’s so exhausted that she corpse. I was angry and depressed. I can barely speak. We return to my On the day before Purim, I discov- made an appointment to see you just home in Kfar Saba, and she spends er for the first time the kind of micro- before you traveled to Los Angeles for the entire day in bed. On the follow- organism (anaerobic bacillus). On the Passover. This time, you changed my ing day I start to worry. At night I following day, Purim, I continue to name to Sarah Bracha and blessed me look at her throat and diagnose a work on her blood to precisely identi- for a refuah shelemah. throat infection with an abscess. I fy the microorganism, and in a strange twist I discover it to be a fungus! I For his part, my husband took mat- urgently take her to get some blood make an urgent call to France. They ters in hand and made an appointment tests, which indicate a very serious do not fully understand the problem. to see another doctor. (I forgot to men- infection. Could it be a reaction to I redo the blood analysis. On the fol- tion how all your prayers were for my a bacterium? I nevertheless am very lowing day, another twist: The blood sake, so that G-d would have mercy worried, given the change in her becomes sterile and no microorgan- and heal me as quickly as possible.) overall state. I undertake more tests: isms grow in it. Finally, the day came for our appoint- Blood cultures to look for microor- ment, and with medical file in hand I ganisms in her blood, followed by To be extra cautious, I ask my as- went to see the doctor. He studied it a double dose of antibiotics, since I sistant to redo all the tests from the and made me undergo some x-rays, was afraid of septicemia, meaning a starts. My assistant confirms all the and then he examined me. However blood infection. results, despite being surprised that there was no growth. He didn’t un- On the following day, I take her to the blood has become sterile. derstand, nor did we! We stayed in his see Dr. O.R.L., who confirms the di- For people who are skeptical, I office for at least two hours, wanting agnosis (a throat abscess), and decides would like to stress that all the tests to make sure. Before leaving, the doc- to operate. My mother refuses, and we were conducted under the most steril- tor said to me: “You can now leave. go to my sister’s home in Bnei Brak ized conditions. You’re in good health.” to explain the whole story (as for the This is the story without any inter- Now I know that thanks to G-d blood cultures, the doctor thought that pretation on my part. It contains noth- and to you, I experienced a tremen- they were useless). ing but recorded, objective medical dous miracle. May G-d protect you, We called Rabbi David in Villeur- facts. and may every blessing rest upon you banne, and he advised us to take the I would like to take this opportu- and your family, as well as on the advice of three doctors before operat- nity to once again thank the Almighty Jewish people. May He also send us ing. for His kindness. Second, I would Mashiach. Amen. In the meantime, my mother feels also like to openly thank Rabbi David It will soon be 1998, and I have better and returns to France. Pinto Shlita for having implored the Almighty to help my mother. been undergoing regular examina- The story continues, for at the lab tions. Nothing has been detected, and the blood cultures come out positive I truly think that Rabbi David Pin- I’m enjoying my children and my hus- (meaning that a microorganism was to Shlita represents the spiritual leader band in complete tranquility. found in her blood). This occurred of the Jewish people in the world. May G-d bless you. on the day before Purim. I urgently Dr. Shalom Naccache Mrs. Sarah Bracha Derai make a call to France and inform my Microbiologist 27 My Story I Pinto calmed me down and asked, thought that seeking Rabbi Pinto’s Last year summer I started to “How much money do you want bracha and guidance might help my feel lousy. I was feeling sleepy, but to give to poor people in Israel as a situation. I came to him not knowing thought that it was a phase I was go- pidyon for yourself?” I just took out what to expect, because I had never ing through in life. However my wife everything I had in my pocket (about approached a Rav specifically for a insisted that I go to the doctor and get $300) and gave it all to him. He then bracha. I told him this when I came myself checked out. I finally went to told me not to worry about anything. into his study, at which point he see my general practitioner, who was I started going to the doctor every started asking me various questions, very concerned because he thought four months, but none of my numbers spontaneously assuring me that my that I had mononucleosis (Epstein- changed, not for better or worse. At parnasa and shalom bayit would be Barr virus). He wanted me to go see least I didn’t have to undergo any fine. Although that was very nice to an oncologist, which at the time I had treatments. hear, I was there for health reasons. no idea what kind of doctor that was. I started to tell him about my recent At one point I decided, after get- Since I’m usually not the type to see heart bypass surgery and subsequent ting someone’s advice, to see the best doctors, I ignored the whole thing and complications, but he interrupted me doctor in the field and see what he said that I felt great. to ask what was wrong with my feet. says. He gave me a lot of hope, and so I was totally astonished by this ques- However it seemed that my doc- I thought to myself: “You see, Rabbi tion, because I had developed neuro- tor really knew what I had. Since he Pinto promised me that everything logical problems with my legs and didn’t want to scare me, he lied about would be fine, so there’s nothing to feet from a condition called trans- what he thought I had. Yet seeing that worry about.” I started to get used to verse myelitis. How could he pos- I wasn’t doing what I was supposed my situation. to, he called my wife to warn her that sibly have known that? I told him a However the interesting part was I had to go see the oncologist. little about my problem, but then he that Rabbi Pinto came to America asked me who Yaakov was. I told After my checkup, the doctor again, and I decided to go see him comes in and sits down. He says that him that I didn’t know a Yaakov. for an even greater bracha. The Rav Our conversation continued and he he has something to tell me, some- laughed at me and said, “I’m telling thing that will sound worse than it told me that I should be careful with you, you’re not going to die!” My my sugar intake and of course my really is: “You have CLL [Chronic doctor then called me and said that Lymphocytic Leukemia], which cholesterol. he wanted to perform a bone marrow means that you have cancer in your Again I was shocked, as I had re- biopsy (remember, this disease comes blood. There’s no cure for it, but you cently been advised to monitor my from the bone marrow). I didn’t want could live with it for a long time.” blood sugar level. As our meeting to do it, and since the Rav told me that People with this disease are usually 65 continued, Rabbi Pinto appeared con- I’m fine, I just wanted to forget about years and older, but I’m only 35. To cerned and began to tell me that I had the whole thing. However my doctor add insult to injury, my father-in-law experienced a great ness (miracle). He persuaded me to go through with the died from it 10 years ago. It was really repeated this several times, followed procedure. He then called me on the strange to think that, of all people, I by the shocking statement that I was following week and said that the in- got this disease. supposed to die on Shabbat many teresting part was that he could barely months ago, but had been saved be- At that point a friend of mine said find any trace of the disease in my cause I performed a great mitzvah. He that he was going to see Rabbi Pinto marrow. This result made him think wasn’t sure what mitzvah it was, only for a bracha on the next day, and asked that perhaps I didn’t have anything at that my life was saved by its merit. if I wanted to join him. I said yes (I all; he just didn’t know. In any case, I had told no one about my condition, How could he possibly have known was definitely a lucky man. What he that I first became ill on Shabbat af- so it wasn’t like my friend was trying didn’t know is that we have tzaddikim to get me to go because of it). On the ternoon? He advised me to continue who are able to pray to Hashem and performing mitzvot and to increase next day, I met Rabbi Pinto and could help people in time of need. not believe the things that he told me my Torah study. Our meeting con- about a house I bought (I never told My Story II cluded with his bracha for a refuah anyone that I had purchased it). He November 2000 shelemah. told me not to move in for now, so I I went to Rabbi Pinto seeking a When I came home, I told my wife started to cry because I thought that I bracha for my health. I had a year what had happened, and that we need- wouldn’t marry off my kids, and I was of various medical problems, some ed to continue performing important afraid for the future. However Rabbi of which had not been resolved. I mitzvot and learning more Torah. The 28 only thing that bothered me was the fact that I didn’t know who Yaakov Regaining My Sight Through Tefillin was. From L.D. of New York In the middle of the night, I sud- July 13, 1999 denly woke up and remembered who Dear Rabbi Pinto, Yaakov was. On the Shabbat that I first became ill, I had been away at an edu- Some experiences are so filled with extraordinary facts that it be- cational seminar that took place from comes difficult for a person to know where to begin. Mine have contin- Wednesday to Sunday. On Thursday, ued since our first meeting in November 1992. I happened to see another person in I remember just how nervous I was when Rav Kalatsky suggested the crowd wearing a kippah. I went that I meet you. Fortunately for me, I had the chance to attend the lecture to introduce myself, and I asked him you gave at Yad Avraham. Straightaway, I certainly felt what everyone what he was going to do for Shabbat else was feeling upon listening to your words. I felt that I was discover- meals. He told me that he wasn’t too ing the truth. I was convinced that our meeting on the following morning prepared, but that he was going to go would be something out of the ordinary. out and try to find some kosher food. It was much more than that. While waiting for you in the next room, I told him that it wouldn’t be neces- I was pacing back and forth, nervous and impatient. Upon entering, you sary, since I had more than enough for told me that I had a serious vision problem in my left eye. My first both of us. He agreed and said that he thought was how anyone could know that! I was suffering from amblyo- would bring whatever he could. We pia, which can lead to blindness, and which only my doctor was aware enjoyed Shabbat together and forged of. Your advice was even more disconcerting: You told me to start put- a new friendship. His name was Yaa- ting on tefillin! Without hesitating, I replied: “Rabbi, I don’t do that. I’ve kov. I went back to Rabbi Pinto in the never put them on, and I don’t even know how to put them on!” You morning and told him that I remem- immediately replied, “I haven’t asked you to pray for hours. I only asked bered who Yaakov was and how we you to put on tefillin.” had met. The Rav immediately under- I left with a profound feeling that this had been a very special en- stood what great mitzvah had saved counter. Yet in no way was I going to start wearing tefillin. Deep inside, my life. It was hachnasat orchim. The I thought to myself: “Why didn’t he simply ask me to make a donation? Rav was very excited as he explained That would have been much easier!” to me the great importance of this Three months later, I went to Yad Avraham and asked Rav Kalatsky mitzvah, and how people don’t realize to teach me how to put on tefillin. At that very same moment, it hap- the power of simple acts of kindness. pened that he was teaching another person what I had come to see him Rabbi Pinto charged me with tell- for, and so we learned it together. I asked him to order a pair for me. ing others about the importance of this As I left, I had one of the strangest moments of my life. On Madison great mitzvah, and he gave me anoth- Avenue, I could make out things that I had never seen before. The win- er bracha for a refuah shelemah. I left dow fronts and traffic lights were now in focus, the details of the build- with a stronger sense of emunah. ings were clear, and for the first time I saw just how dirty the streets of In telling people this story, as Rab- New York were. I had regained my sight – perfectly. I no longer needed bi Pinto recommended, I hope that my glasses. I was stunned! Since that time, I haven’t stopped putting on they will understand the message that my tefillin. the Rav was trying to convey. People When I sat behind the wheel of my car, my wife asked me where my should not get caught up on the way glasses were. I replied, “I don’t need them any more!” I rushed straight the message was related. To be honest, to my ophthalmologist, who couldn’t believe his eyes, nor mine! He was it’s easy to focus on the uniqueness of convinced that I had undergone a macrobiotic treatment, or that I had this story. But if we do, we will unfor- placed my finger in a wall socket! It was very difficult to tell him that it tunately miss its important message was because of the tefillin, and for his part it was even more difficult to and devalue Rabbi Pinto’s gift. believe me. How can I thank Hashem for having placed Rav Kalatsky and your- self on my path in life? With my sincere gratitude, humility, as well as my love. L.D.

29 The Mumbai Class

Spreading Torah in France cessful and draw many participants. Pinto, in order to hear his account. It Numerous classes have been estab- In some classes, one can count the was only afterwards that we dared to lished by our Rav and teacher, Rabbi number of participants on one hand; put this incredible story into writing. David Hanania Pinto Shlita, as well in others, numerous hands would not We feel that it is extremely important as by his sons Rabbi Raphael, Rabbi suffice. to recount this story, for it reveals the Moshe, Rabbi Yoel, and Rabbi Mi- It would seem, however, that the Torah’s power. chael as part of the Torah revolution story behind the most recently estab- A Ray of Light Amid the taking place in Paris and Lyon. We lished class is one that we have not Darkness of Mumbai have already mentioned this “French faced in a long time. It is a story that Located in India, the city of Mum- Revolution” in previous articles. Not a crosses continents and oceans, a story bai was once called Bombay before its day goes by without a Torah class tak- of faith in the Creator, and above all a name was changed. Some people still ing place, and sometimes many class- story about the power of Torah. call it by its old name, while others es occur in the same day. At first, only We are speaking of an exceptional call it by its new one. Until recently, the Rav gave these classes. Yet when class, one whose secret lies precise- we did not hear much about this city. faced with the magnitude of the task ly in its origins. It is a story that has What connection is there between and the heavy demand, he asked his made, and continues to make, waves ourselves, Torah observant Jews, and sons to also participate in the mitzvah in the French Jewish world. Mumbai, a city teeming with travel- of spreading Torah and giving classes ers, with free-spirited people, and with The very name of this class em- to all who wanted. Jewish souls desperately searching bodies its secret: “The Mumbai class.” Each class has its own founder, and for meaning, for spirituality? These Mumbai? What’s the connection be- each class has its own story. One was Jews travel to India instead of looking established in the memory of a certain tween Mumbai and a Torah class? Let in their own backyard, close to their person, another for the healing of an- us explain. home (although that’s a subject for an- other person, and so on. Some classes We heard this account from nu- other article). We, on the other hand, require a great investment of time and merous Jews who testified to the ve- are charedim (observant Jews), chil- energy, as well as long hours of per- racity of its details. We also spoke dren of charedim, people who observe suasion. Others are immediately suc- to our Rav and teacher, Rabbi David Torah mitzvot, both easy and difficult.

30 Therefore what connection is there be- tween ourselves and India? Unfortunately, India (and more specifically Mumbai) made headlines a few months ago due to tragic cir- cumstances. On Wednesday, November 26, a multi-pronged terrorist attack in- jured and killed hundreds of ordinary people, both Indians and Europeans. According to Indian police, it was a terrorist attack perpetrated both by suicide bombers and terrorists armed with guns and grenades. They seized control of certain areas of Mumbai and murdered ordinary citizens and took hostages. Little by little, the ex- tent of the attack, massive in its scope, Moyal and his father arrived at the After discussing it, a stunned Mr. became known: Armed men targeted meeting, sitting in front of the Rav and Moyal agreed to this completely un- no less than seven different areas of waiting for him to speak. The Rav was expected request. Nevertheless, he the city, two of which were presti- immersed in thought, and after a few asked if the class could take place on gious hotels (the Taj Mahal Palace and minutes he turned to them and said, to Tuesdays. The Rav refused, saying Oberoi hotels), as well as a Chabad their great surprise, that he wanted to that he specifically wanted the class to House (Lubavitch Jewish community give them a gift. “In general, I usually take place on Wednesdays. Mr. Moyal center) and the Chhatrapati Shivaji offer gifts to men. This time, however, accepted, and the Rav gave him the Terminus (central train station). I want to offer a gift to Mrs. Moyal,” songbook, all while pronouncing Little by little, people learned the he said without explanation. The Rav blessings and good wishes for him and magnitude of the horror: More than then got up and left, and a few min- his father. 195 people died in the attacks, includ- utes later he returned with…a book of Thank Me for What? ing six Jews, pious and just, most no- songs for Shabbat. He said to them, Just two days later, the Rav was tably Lubavitch representatives who “Starting this Shabbat, I want you to ran the Chabad House in Mumbai. sitting with rabbis from the kollel and sing Shabbat songs. It’s a great segula yeshiva, namely Rabbi Yehoshua Sa- In the days following the tragedy at to sing during Shabbat meals.” lomons, the Rosh Kollel, Rav Baruch the Chabad House and other places tar- Mr. Moyal and his father were Leibovitz, the director of our Kol geted in the attacks, newspapers were taken aback by this request. What HaTorah yeshiva in Paris, Rav Daniel announcing the miraculous rescue of connection did they have with Shab- Tzigelman, and the meshiv Rabbi Da- the Holtzberg child named Moshe. Yet bat songs? None! Was this why the vid Dakelbaum. As they were discuss- very few people were aware of what Rav had summoned them? Further- ing the yeshiva and its curriculum, the happened at the same time in France more, Mr. Moyal’s wife was out of the telephone rang. It was Mr. Moyal. He with our Rav and teacher, Rabbi David country, and she would not be home wanted to give the Rav two messages: Pinto. Very few knew of the incredible on time to sing any songs this Shabbat. First, he wanted to thank him, and sec- ray of light that illuminated the skies The Rav listened to Mr. Moyal’s re- ond he wanted to let him know that of Mumbai at the time. sponse, but maintained his request: “If his wife would be returning within the A Songbook and the Power of your wife is home this Shabbat, then hour, meaning that she would be home Torah you should sing Shabbat songs. If not, for Shabbat. In France, a large community finds then next Shabbat.” The Rav was surprised. First of all, refuge with our Rav. Among those Just before giving the songbook to why was he thanking him? Second, belonging to this community is the Mr. Moyal, the Rav turned to him and Mr. Moyal had said that his wife would Moyal family, which is connected to said: “Today is Wednesday. Are you definitely not be home for Shabbat, the Rav with bonds of love and affec- ready to begin a Torah class at your so what changed? The Rav took the tion. At one point the Rav’s secretary, home every Wednesday? Are you pre- telephone and learned of the extraor- Mr. Marciano, called them and said pared to host a class given by my son dinary events that had transpired that that the Rav wanted to see them. Mr. Moshe?” Wednesday. 31 As Mr. Moyal recounted the de- eventually wounding and killing all the the floor was filled with blood and tails, his emotions could be heard in terrorists. Only then was my wife able bodies. Baruch Hashem, by the merit his voice, emotions that occasionally to breathe easily and leave the hotel. of the Torah, by the merit of the class prevented him from continuing. He The first thing she did was call me. She that I agreed to host in my home and said, “While I met with you, my wife then told me what happened: She had by the merit of the Rav’s blessings, was in India for some business meet- been sitting in the lobby of the hotel my wife was saved from this hell.” ings. These meetings were to continue in Mumbai with a group of business- This is how Mr. Moyal described it into early next week, which is why I men – it was the same time that I was to the Rav. said that my wife wouldn’t be back in sitting in your office – when suddenly, It was a miracle! At the very mo- France for Shabbat. for no apparent reason, she asked the ment that the Rav asked Mr. Moyal “However G-d had different plans. businessmen to proceed to the restau- to host a Torah class in his home, his A few minutes after I left – after I had rant on the next floor. It seems that wife was unknowingly fleeing a grave threat. Thanks to the Torah and to told you that I would host a Torah this happened because I had agreed to spreading its teachings, she was saved class in my home every Wednesday – host a Torah class in my home. A few from a mortal danger! my wife sent me a message. Terrified, of the businessmen decided to remain Epilog The incredible help that our friend received from Heaven did not stop there. After being rescued, Mrs. Moy- al wanted to return to France and be with her husband and family. When she arrived at the airport, however, she was told that there were no flights to France, nor anywhere else for that matter. The situation in India was extremely tense, especially in places with large numbers of tourists. Many of them feared that the Mumbai inci- dent would provoke other terrorist at- tacks, which is why they all wanted to return home. The airport was packed with people, and the tension in the air was palpable. When one airline em- ployee saw Mrs. Moyal, he asked her she was trapped in the Taj Mahal ho- below, but most of them accompanied if she was Israeli. When she responded tel as it was being attacked by terror- her to the next floor. A few minutes that she was a Jew from France, the ists! Afraid that she was going to die, after the arrived, they suddenly heard employee told her: “We have an El Al I tried to calm her down. I assured her shouts and screams of terror coming flight that will soon be leaving for Is- that she would be alright because you from the lobby, along with the sound rael. Take it.” Mr. Moyal summed up offered me a gift to give her for Shab- of gunfire. A tragedy was unfolding the story by telling the Rav, “Thanks to bat. I was also certain that she would below, for armed terrorists started incredible Divine help, she was able to be rescued and return home for Shab- firing everywhere in the lobby, mur- make it to Israel, and she’s now on her bat to sing at the Shabbat table. I said dering dozens of people. Only today, way to France. She’ll be joining me to her, ‘Are you ready to host a Torah two days after the incident, do we un- this Shabbat, when we’ll start singing class in our home every Wednesday derstand the magnitude of the miracle with great joy, just as you said! For all from now on?’ She answered, ‘I’m that my wife experienced. As for the this, I want to thank you!” ready for one every day of the week, businessmen who stayed below, some This is the story behind the Mum- just as long as I get out of this hell!’ were killed and others were wounded. bai class, which takes place every “For the next several hours, my The leader of the Indian commando Wednesday in the Moyal home. It is wife remained lying on the ground on unit confirmed that he saw about 50 attended my numerous friends of the the hotel’s second floor, terrified. In the bodies in the Taj Mahal Palace ho- family and the community, greatly meantime, Indian commandos were tel, and numerous tourists who were spreading Torah. This story is circu- attempting to take control of the hotel, freed from the hotel recounted that lating everywhere in France! 32 there was a thick darkness throughout the land of Egypt for three days. No man could see his brother, nor could anyone arise from his place for three days. But for all the Children of Israel, there was light in their dwellings” [Sh- emot 10:22-23]. As I have explained elsewhere, the aim of most of the plagues that struck the Egyptians was to teach the Children of Israel that G-d controls everything, as the verse states: “You shall know that I am Hashem.” We need to understand what lies be- hind the plague of darkness. G-d could have struck the Egyptians with blind- ness, just as the people of Sodom were struck with blindness when the angels came to save Lot. Why did He kill them precisely in darkness? This teaches us that sometimes, darkness is preciously what brings in light. Even when we have the feeling that darkness covers the earth – that everything is obscure, and that G-d is completely hidden – we must not lose hope: “But for all the Children of Israel, there was light in their dwell- ings.” Even when we find ourselves in the most difficult of situations – when darkness extends in every possible di- rection, when hopelessness stretches out its hand and grabs hold of us, and a sharp blade is already at our neck – we must realize that even in the depths of darkness, a ray of light may shine. The story that you have just read il- lustrates this point. It enables us to see how, even in the darkest depths, when hopelessness appears everywhere, G-d Now do you understand The Mumbai Class – Another watches over a person and helps him the meaning of the “Mumbai Perspective at every step, even without his knowl- class”? After listening to this account, we edge at the time. also wanted to get the Rav’s perspec- Do you understand the tre- tive. Although we already presented The story is the following: Liv- mendous power of Torah, which the essential facts, this incident has a ing in France is a certain family by can save from death? completely different tone when heard the name of Moyal. These people are from the Rav himself. An additional warm-hearted Jews, being closely “For its commerce is better light emerges from him, a light of hu- connected to everything pertaining to than the commerce of silver…. mility and faith, of authentic modesty kedusha. For many years, they have It is a tree of life to those who and deep faith in the Creator. been close to the famous Pinto dynas- support it” (Mishlei 3:14, 18). When we went to see the Rav, he ty, traveling to Morocco each year in began as follows: This is the literal truth, for order to participate in the great Hillou- The verse states, “Moshe stretched la of Rabbi Haim Pinto, may his merit whoever supports it merits life! forth his hand towards the heavens, and protect us all. 33 I wanted to speak to Mr. Moyal lowing week. I told him to still try and why I had asked him to see me on that during the last Hilloula, and I asked learn these songs, and that if his wife day. Nor did I know why I wanted to Mr. Marciano to call him. However was not going to be home this Shab- give Mrs. Moyal a gift, especially a he was unsuccessful. Our meeting bat, they should begin on the follow- songbook for Shabbat. The greatest was delayed again and again over the ing Shabbat. question I had was why I asked him course of three months, each time for Just before handing him the song- to host a Torah class, and why on a a different reason. book, I drew it back and asked Mr. Wednesday. Yet now, everything was A few Wednesdays ago, I had a Moyal to host a Torah class in his clear. deep-seated and unexplainable urge home every Wednesday night. My son While Mrs. Moyal was hiding in to speak with Mr. Moyal. Neverthe- Rabbi Moshe would come to give the the hotel, still lying on the ground on less, I had no specific reason for doing class. Mr. Moyal agreed, but asked if the floor above the lobby, she sent a so. I again spoke to Mr. Marciano and it could take place on Tuesday nights message to her husband. She told him asked him to phone Mr. Moyal and tell instead. I told him that I wanted a class that she was afraid of dying, and he re- him that it was imperative that he come given specifically on a Wednesday, plied that he was certain she would be see me that day. He was definitely not the very same day as our meeting. I home by Shabbat, since Rav Pinto had to put off our meeting for some other then gave him the songbook and we sent her a gift – a songbook for Shab- time, since it had already been delayed said goodbye. bat. He asked her if she was ready to for months without good reason. Mr. I began to review what had just host a Torah class in their home, and Marciano called Mr. Moyal and his happened, the entire conversation. I she willingly agreed, just as long as father, telling them that Rabbi David was unable to explain what I had done: she survived! wanted to meet them and talk. A songbook? A Torah class? Is that In fact they both came out winners. When they arrived, they sat down why I had called him? His wife was rescued and returned in front of me and waited for me to Two days later, I received an an- home for Shabbat, and they have been speak. Now as I mentioned, I had not swer to my questions. On Friday, as I able to transform their home into a called them for any specific reason. I was sitting with the rabbis of the kollel, place where scholars gather for Torah was therefore quite perplexed, and I the telephone rang and Mr. Marciano classes every Wednesday. told them that they shouldn’t think I picked it up. It was Mr. Moyal, who In the end, all the pieces of the had called them for a donation. Rather, wanted to send me a big thank you and puzzle fit together, producing a clear I wanted to offer a gift to Mrs. Moyal. tell me that his wife was going to be picture. G-d guides the world, and He I couldn’t explain why I said this, but home within the hour. I was surprised sometimes chooses emissaries to ful- I couldn’t retract my words, and there- when I heard this. First of all, why was fill His will. Such people sometimes fore I had to find something to give he thanking me? Second, his wife was act with the knowledge that they are Mrs. Moyal. Since there was nothing supposed to return home the following G-d’s emissaries, and sometimes they suitable in my office, I went into the week. I took the telephone and heard act without that knowledge. In this office of Rabbi Hanania and asked an incredible account from Mr. Moyal story, I was an emissary of the second him if he had something I could give that made me tremble. type, a kind of pawn. This certainly as a gift to a woman. Rabbi Hanania He told me that on Wednesday, happened by the merit of my holy an- jokingly replied, “Kavod HaRav, I the same day that we had met in my cestors. Hence Mrs. Moyal was saved only have a computer to offer her!” office, his wife had been in the lobby on account of the Torah class that was As I was looking around the room, my of a hotel in Mumbai with a group of established in their home, and because eyes came upon a book of songs for businessmen. Suddenly, for no ap- of the honor of Shabbat. Shabbat. I didn’t know if it was fitting parent reason, she asked them to go As I said earlier, even in the great- to give such a gift to Mrs. Moyal, but to a restaurant on the next floor. A est of darkness, in “deep darkness” since it was the only thing available, I few minutes later, they heard a burst – when it seems that there’s no hope took it and brought it into my office. of gunfire coming from the lobby. A and that a sharp blade is at our neck – I told Mr. Moyal to give the song- tragedy was unfolding below: Terror- even then G-d controls the souls of all book to his wife, and that from now on ists had infiltrated the hotel and killed living things and brings deliverance, they should sing songs from it every about 80 people. making a ray of light appear. Shabbat. Mr. Moyal looked and me Precisely as bullets were flying As we mentioned at the outset, the and said that neither he nor his wife through the hotel, we were sitting in Rav possesses authentic modesty and knew how to sing Shabbat songs. Fur- my office and I asked Mr. Moyal to deep faith. The facts speak for them- thermore, his wife was away on a trip host a Torah class in his home every selves. and was only going to return the fol- Wednesday. At the time, I didn’t know 34 Man of Faith The Tzaddik Rabbi Yehudah Pinto, Known as “Rabbi Hadan”

After the passing of Rabbi Haim rooted in his blood, in his 248 limbs Pinto Hagadol, may his merit protect and 365 sinews. It is said that he us, his son the tzaddik Rabbi Yehu- would distribute all his money to the dah Pinto, known as Rabbi Hadan, needy as tzeddakah. may his merit protect us, followed in Rabbi Hadan was very careful not his father’s footsteps. Rabbi Hadan to go to sleep if even a single coin was known for his zeal in the perfor- was still in his pocket. In that case, mance of mitzvot, putting into prac- he would hurry to give it to the poor. tice the words of the Tanna: “Be as He would purchase tallit, tefil- bold as a leopard, light as an eagle, lin, and food for a boy from a poor swift as a deer, and strong as a lion family when he reached the age of to carry out the will of your Father in mitzvot, thereby enabling his family Heaven” (Pirkei Avoth 5:20). to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah in com- Rabbi Hadan’s greatness in To- plete joy, not having to worry about rah and the wisdom of Kabbalah a thing. also made him famous. He diligent- A few years later, when this ly studied holy books from morning youngster had grown and reached till night, and he was also a great the age to get married and establish tzaddik and chassid, a worker of a home, it was Rabbi Hadan who numerous miracles. Many people would occupy himself with the great addressed themselves to him for his mitzvah of Hachnasat Kallah. blessing. Sir Montefiore’s Visit His wisdom and intelligence in all In the city of Mogador, finely- fields attracted the greatest leaders of made carpets were stretched out from the city and country to him. Foreign the port to the home of the tzaddik diplomatic representatives, ambas- the needs of the community and per- Rabbi Hadan, who lived in the Mel- sadors, lined up before his door to forming good deeds. The primary lah (old Jewish quarters). In 5623 receive his advice and benefit from objective of his visit was crowned (1863 CE), Sir Moses Montefiore Zal his understanding on various current with success when he obtained a de- made an extraordinary trip to Moga- issues. cree protecting the rights of the Jews dor to meet the governor of the city. of Morocco. Numerous letters were addressed His objective was to defend the Jews to him from other countries through of Mogador and prevent a pogrom by Sir Montefiore’s visit encouraged the various consulates located in the local residents. Pogroms had already other philanthropic organizations to city of Mogador. With kindness and taken place in the city of Safi, near initiate various programs to strength- wisdom, Rabbi Hadan would offer Mogador. en the Mellah. In particular, they or- his keen and practical advice to ev- Sir Montefiore stayed at the home ganized aid programs for droughts eryone who asked, be it on spiritual of Rabbi Hadan for several days. He and epidemics. or material matters, without men- received his blessing, as well as his Don’t Worry tioning the prayers that he uttered on advice and insights. Since the cli- Morocco once experienced a very behalf of every Jew. mate of the city suited him, he stayed severe drought, a year that was dif- All His Money to Tzeddakah there longer than expected. ficult on both regular individuals and Rabbi Hadan also inherited from All throughout his stay, Sir Mon- farmers. Not a single drop of rain his father the attribute of chesed tefiore gave money to the Jews of fell, and everyone was extremely (lovingkindness). This attribute was the city and concerned himself with worried. 35 During this time, Rabbi Hadan Engulfed in Flames was going up in flames, he imme- was saddened and walked with Each year, Rabbi Hadan would diately ran after the Rav to ask him his head low. The holidays were bake matzot before Passover. The for forgiveness. He promised that he soon approaching, and he had no Rav himself would bake the matzot, would keep his word from now on, money on hand to purchase clothes not relying on anyone else. He was whatever the cost. and basic provisions for the poor very strict, bringing his own utensils Rabbi Hadan forgave the bakery in town, as he would normally do and not relying on those of the bak- owner, and the flames immediately each year. ery. In fact the kashrut of the matzot died down. In fact all evidence of the One night his father, Rabbi Haim was his primary concern. flames disappeared, such that nobody Pinto Hagadol, appeared to him in As in every year, Rabbi Hadan could tell that a fire had just broken a dream and said: “Don’t worry my made an agreement with the owner out there. It is said that even the mat- son. Don’t be upset about anything. of the bakery, a certain Ben Ouhta, zot within the oven were not burned. Tomorrow, with G-d’s help, your to use his bakery for making matzot Great is the power of the tzaddi- family will have new clothes like before Passover. kim, the servants of G-d! they’ve never had before.” On the given day, Rabbi Hadan When our Rav and teacher Shlita In the morning, as Rabbi Hadan headed to the bakery with all his recounted this story to his students, was preparing to go to synagogue for gear: Flour, roller, and all the other he added: “Each time that we pass Shacharit (the morning prayer), the tools needed to make matzot. Upon this bakery, we remember the mira- servant of the wealthy Moshe Aflalo arriving, however, he realized to his cle that happened there.” came to his home. He informed Rab- utter dismay that the oven was al- Let What is Yours Remain bi Hadan that his master wished to ready being used by someone else Yours see him. for baking matzot. A Jew from Mogador once trav- The fantastically wealthy Moshe The Rav was very annoyed. He eled to London for business. Upon Aflalo welcomed Rabbi Hadan with had made an agreement with the his return, a storm suddenly arose at a friendly face and joy. He then ex- owner of the bakery, but the latter sea, threatening to drown him and all plained what had happened: had not kept his word. The Rav’s dis- the ships loaded with his merchan- During the night, the tzaddik content intensified when he began to dise. Rabbi Haim Pinto appeared to him think of his large family and the poor The wealthy man did as his fore- in a dream and said: “Can it be that who were relying on him to provide fathers had done before him, pray- you’re wearing new clothes for the them with matzot for the Seder. The ing to be saved by the merit of the holidays, and that my son Hadan is following day was already the eve of tzaddik Rabbi Haim Pinto. He also wearing old clothes? I order you to Passover! vowed that if he emerged unhurt, he also provide my son Hadan and his The Rav approached the owner of would give his entire fortune to Rab- family with new clothes.” the bakery and spoke to him about it. bi Hadan, including the very clothes “I called for you as soon as it However the owner responded with that he was wearing. was morning,” said the rich man, “to indifference: “There are many things The merit of the tzaddik saved carry out the order of your father the going on today. Perhaps you want to him at that crucial hour, for the tzaddik.” return some other day to bake your waves subsided and his ships were matzot?” At that point, Moshe Aflalo took able to dock safely off the coast of out a sizeable amount of money When Rabbi Hadan heard this, he Mogador. meant to purchase new clothes for left without saying a word. Upon returning home, the wealthy Rabbi Hadan and his family. He also He had not gone far when a large man began to reflect. He regretted the gave Rabbi Hadan a watch and chain fire broke out in the bakery. The fire vow he had made, for it seemed ex- of pure gold. completely engulfed it – the oven, cessive. After all, how could he give Rabbi Hadan thanked him for his utensils, and matzot – as everything all that he had to the tzaddik?! generosity and left his home happy began to burn. To save himself from embarrass- and content. With the money, he first The owner of the bakery instantly ment, he thought of having his vow bought clothes for the poor, and with realized that this had happened be- annulled (hatarat nedarim), thereby the little that remained he purchased cause he dishonored the Torah, and exempting him from fulfilling his clothes for himself and his family. it cost him dearly. As his business promise. He did not want to ab- 36 After the great deliverance and Kiddush Hashem (sanc- tification of G-d’s Name) that resulted from this incident, the governor of the city went to see the tzaddik Rabbi Hadan, the son of Rabbi Haim Pinto. He asked him to pray each day, from that time onwards, for the peace of the kingdom. In gratitude for their prayers and the deliverance that the city experienced by their merit, the governor committed himself to defending its Jewish inhabit- ants. He also reached out to the community by liberating many On the Grave of Rabbi Yehuda Pinto Jews who had been unjustly ar- rested and imprisoned. He also solve himself completely, but would city. The rebels burned the gates of reduced the taxes imposed on instead give a small gift to Rabbi Mogador and tried to make their way the Jewish inhabitants. From then Hadan, nothing more! inside to pillage the city and kill its on, the governor knew that in times While still immersed in thought, inhabitants. of distress he had a place where he messengers from Rabbi Hadan sud- When Mogador’s governor real- could go to ask for divine help. denly came to his home. “The Rav ized the danger, he immediately sent A great kabbalist and tzaddik, wants to see you right away,” they one of his solders to the synagogue the gaon Rabbi Hadan Pinto left this informed him. that carried Rabbi Haim Pinto’s world on Av 16, 5641 (1881 CE). His The man was surprised when he name, asking the faithful to implore grave is located in the new cemetery heard what the Rav had to say: “Your the Creator to prevent these evildoers of Mogador, and inscribed on his entire fortune, all the ships that you from making their way into the city. gravestone are the following words: returned with from England, belongs That faithful complied, address- “The grave of the faithful and to me. Even the clothes that you’re ing their prayers and supplications to complete sage, benefactor of the wearing belong to me, not to you!” G-d, Who saved them from violence community, zealous in the obser- “How did you know this? I told and death. vance of mitzvot, from a holy family, no one what happened, nor did I ever Deliverance comes from G-d, Rabbi Yehudah Pinto, may his merit mention the vow I made!” Who immediately heard their prayers protect us. He rendered his soul on Av 16, 5641.” “My father appeared to me in a by the merit of the tzaddik Rabbi dream and told me everything.” Haim Pinto. The guards at the city’s It is important to note that due to walls reported that when this prayer his great modesty in life, and also in Rabbi Hadan continued to sur- had finished, they saw horsemen death, no titles were inscribed on his prise the wealthy man, telling him: dressed in white and riding on white tombstone. It was enough to write “So as not to annul your vow, since horse. They came from the place “zealous in the observant of mitz- you don’t want to respect it, I am where Rabbi Haim Pinto was buried, vot.” That is the essential thing, for giving you everything back as a gift. and they headed towards the walls of as the Sages say: “Not study, but Let what is yours remain yours.” the city. practice is the main thing.” May his Deliverance Comes from G-d These horsemen fiercely attacked memory be a blessing, and may his merit protect us all. After the death of Sultan Mo- the rebels beneath the city walls, hammed in 5634 (1874 CE), a group making them flee, half-dead. Later of Moroccan rebels tried to seize on, the inhabitants could see the power. They besieged Mogador corpses of many rebels who had been and mounted an assault against the killed in the violent battle. 37 Hevrat Pinto’s Impact Around the World

ISRAEL sis on in-depth and continual study. He the ba’alei batim who return late from wanted the program to be sanctioned by work, making the center a focal point The Orot Haim OuMoshe kollel in demanding exams, and for the students for the residents of the area and its sur- Ashdod, founded in 1995 by the tzad- to learn according to a strict schedule, roundings. dik Rabbi David Hanania Pinto, has without mentioning the work that they The Rav and Tzeddakah must do on themselves. become a great Beit HaMidrash for the Baruch Hashem, the Rav’s deeds are study of Torah and Judaism. Today, The kollel is directed by Rav Avner known around the world, not only in re- the kollel continues to enjoy success in Revach Shlita and Rav Yedidya Assaraf gards to his objective of spreading Torah spiritual activities throughout Ashdod Shlita, formerly the Rosh Yeshiva of the and the name of the holy and venerated by the merit of the bnei Torah and dis- Lyon kollel. These men are extremely Rabbi Haim Pinto, but also in terms of well-versed in all areas of Torah, guid- tinguished avrechim who devote them- the material support that he provides to ing the avrechim with enthusiasm and a selves to learning Torah day and night, our brothers living in Israel. In fact be- love for Torah. as well as to the service of the commu- yond the obsessive litany of images de- nity. The kollel is located in the Be’er The atmosphere of sanctity that Moshe neighborhood of Rovah Gimel in reigns throughout the kollel, as well Ashdod. as the seriousness of the students, has This neighborhood was built under prompted other high-caliber avrechim the supervision of Rabbi David Pinto, to enroll in the program. It is thanks to who wanted to establish a Sephardic the kollel that the Gimel district is con- community that was a center of To- sidered as one of the most dynamic, with rah study and where life conforms to regards to Judaism, in Ashdod and its Jewish tradition transmitted from gen- surroundings. eration to generation by our holy ances- Noting the growth of the religious tors. The neighborhood was built near community and the number of avrechim the grave of the holy tzaddik Rabbi wanting to join our kollel, Rabbi David Moshe Aharon Pinto Zatzal, giving it Pinto built an exquisite Torah center and an atmosphere of sanctity that the resi- inaugurated it in 2005. dents can vividly feel. People travel to Today this building, a worthy repre- the tzaddik’s grave from all over Israel sentative of the Beit HaMikdash, houses and around the world in order to pray two kollelim (one for the dayanut) as and pour out their supplications before well as a yeshiva ketanah. G-d, prayers that are heard. At the heart All this has only been possible due to of the neighborhood stands the kollel the devotion of Rabbi David Pinto, who for learning Torah and Judaism, a kol- leaves his family to journey around the lel whose reputation is already well- world in order to collect the necessary The Kollel Orot Chaim U Moshe in Ashdod established both inside and outside funds to finance the kollel and find do- the city. It also acts like a magnet for nors for his institutions. By the merit of picting terrorist attacks and reprisals, the bnei Torah and people in the commu- Rav Pinto and his donors, the avrechim social reality in Israel is that the subject nity, who gather at the door of the Beit can study without worrying about par- of poverty has been largely trivialized. HaMidrash. nasa, their minds free to spread Torah Despite being a very real and in- The kollel is obviously a source of and Judaism among the Jewish people. creasing phenomenon, the media does pride for the warm local community. Rav Pinto closely follows everything not mention poverty because it is not a The inhabitants of Ashdod are happy to that happens in the Beit HaMidrash subject that sells. have merited its presence, as well as to through the director of the yeshiva and have the guidance and spiritual support his liaison, Rav Eliyahu Sitbon Shlita. “One Million Israelis Go Hungry,” of Rabbi David Pinto. Rav Sitbon is in constant communica- read the headline in the August 28 edi- The avrechim, who have studied tion with the Rav, continually updating tion of one of Israel’s largest newspa- in excellent yeshivot, have been care- him in regards to everything pertaining pers. Four out of five families say that fully selected after a series of difficult to the learning that goes on in the center. their situation has worsened over the and demanding tests. In his program, Each night in the Be’er Moshe neigh- past two years. According to an inter- Rav Pinto wanted to place an empha- borhood, there is an evening kollel for national report on poverty, the poverty 38 rate in Israel is 2.5 times greater than in vides financial assistance to our broth- other countries of the OECD (Organiza- ers living there. In fact this year the Rav The Community in tion for Economic Cooperation and De- distributed more than 30,000 basic food Argentina packages to Israeli families for Passover. velopment). This means that 24.5% of Each package includes meat, wine, cof- Israelis are classified as “poor.” When Israel was controlled by fee, and matzot, or money for those who the Romans 2,000 years ago, Juda- If this is true, then why don’t we see prefer cash. ism almost disappeared. The Romans it? Can there be 1,750,000 needy people This also takes place during the year banned Jews from learning Torah, in the country, and yet we don’t realize and for each Shabbat. In our building in and the threat of assimilation grew in- Ashdod, a distribution network has been it? creasingly greater. The Talmud relates set up that provides the needy that when Rabbi Chiya saw the drastic with vegetables and chickens for Shabbat and the rest of the situation, he took it upon himself to week. Of course, let us not for- transmit the Torah to the next genera- get what the Rav has done for tion: He planted flax, made nets from the residents of Sderot, who it, trapped kosher animals, and made live under constant fear. In ad- scrolls from their skins; upon these dition to distributing food, he skins he wrote the Torah. He did all also helps residents repair and this in order to teach children. Since reinforce their homes after be- Rabbi Chiya devoted his entire life to ing damaged in rocket attacks teaching them, the Talmud considers that occur on a daily basis. him to have saved the Torah (Bava During the last Lebanon Metzia 85b). The steady rise of poverty among war, the Rav went to encour- In the past century, Judaism was large and religious households is the age people in northern Israel, who at the once again threatened, this time by the result of Israeli social policies in the time were forced to live in shelters. He Nazis. Jews who could flee Europe did spoke with them and lifted their spirits. past five years. Between 2002 and 2007, so, and many of them arrived in Ar- family benefits have simply been cut in This is only what happens in Israel, gentina. At that point they completely half. for if we were to mention everything committed themselves to their new that our Rav does around the world, we Case in point: Benefits for a family country, and as a result they aban- wouldn’t be able to describe it all. of five children have gone from 2,260 doned their ancient traditions, their NIS per month in 2002 to 1,132 NIS We therefore bless our Rav. May culture, and their Torah. Nevertheless, (about $285 US) in 2007, meaning a Hashem help him in all that he under- a few German Jews had no intention of 50% reduction for these families. takes and will undertake, and may He sacrificing their children or their To- grant him long life. Amen! Thank G-d, our teacher the Rav has rah, and they opened cultural centers seen these difficulties in Israel and pro- starting with a synagogue in a small room, followed by a Talmud Torah (elementary school), a mikveh (ritual bath), and finally a yeshiva (Talmu- dic school). Unfortunately, 70% of the Jewish population of Argentina had already assimilated. Hence for the last decade, our teacher Rabbi David Hanania Pinto has made several trips to the community in Argentina. He travels there each year in order to give classes, as well as to offer his advice, blessings, and financial support. In the last year, Rabbi David visit- ed and supported the HaMakom Sheli Center, a school for children with Down’s Syndrome (see photograph). Addressing the school’s committee, the Rav pointed out that when they 39 The Communities in North America With regards to the United States, Hevrat Pinto has recently acquired a building on the west side of Manhat- tan. Scheduled to be inaugurated at the end of 2009 (see photograph), this building will house a Beit HaMidrash that is specifically dedicated to the French-speaking residents of the city. This will allow them to have a place where they can meet and, with G-d’s

chose a name for their school, they Finally, let us add that Rabbi David surely thought that it referred to “my personally met with hundreds of peo- place” (hamakom sheli), a place that ple this year and gave shiurim (Torah these children could call their own. classes) and lectures to large public Yet in reality, it refers to the fact that gatherings, thereby bringing about a this place shelters truly special souls, great Kiddush Hashem (sanctification and that Hashem must have certainly of G-d’s Name). said: “This is My place!” Rabbi David therefore pursues the To aid the school, the Rav suggest- work of our Sages, much as Rabbi ed that they organize a dinner in which Chiya did. help, be able to slow the assimilation he would participate, thereby enabling The gaon Rabbi Sebag Shlita, the seen in the community. Furthermore, them to collect numerous funds. director of the Tiferet Moshe institute Rabbi David has been giving classes, Rabbi David also suggested the es- in Bnei Brak, spoke about the signifi- advice, and blessings to both French tablishment of a religious high school cance of the verse: “As the deer longs and English speakers for many years. that would enable them to continue for brooks of water” (Tehillim 42:2). Finally, let us mention the support giving their children a Jewish educa- This means that it finds refuge against offered to the Pinto Torah Center of tion throughout their school years. predators in the vegetation that grows Los Angeles. Directed by Rabbi Yaa- Thus the Rav recently had the honor of by the water. Similarly, the merit of kov Pinto, the brother of Rabbi David, inaugurating Yeshurun High School Rabbi David Hanania Pinto protects this institution is dedicated primarily this year. Jews around the world by bringing to ba’alei teshuvah. Similarly, during an earlier trip to them under the wings of the Shechi- the Jewish community of Lanus (a nah (Divine Presence). suburb of Buenos Aires), the Rav en- couraged the construction of a college, a mikveh, a kosher supermarket, and a gan (Jewish kindergarten). Baruch Hashem, the Rav was again invited this year for the inauguration of a col- lege and mikveh carrying the name of Rabbi Haim Pinto Zatzal. 40 Yissmach Moshe of Toronto The Communities in North America PARIS mach Moshe to feel united in the study of Torah. We must realize that it is not only A Kollel to Earn the Riches of a place to study, but also a place to im- prove the education of a new generation the Torah and transmit understanding and traditions At 11 Plateau Street, learning to them. Gemara is a daily holiday for the Thus each Motzei Shabbat, an Avoth avrechim of Rabbi David Hanania U’Banim class unites fathers and sons Pinto’s kollel. There they can de- velop a love and understanding of Yissmach Moshe Torah Center in Toronto from various communities in Toronto, not to mention the weekly classes that are Torah, which will benefit the entire The activities of Rabbi David Ha- held for women. A typical day at Kollel Jewish people. nania Pinto Shlita lead him to make fre- Yismach Moshe begins at 6:00 am with a When a new visitor opens the quent trips to the United States, Canada, Daf HaYomi class that is open to all, fol- door to 11 Plateau Street, the first and elsewhere in North America. Thus in lowed by Shacharit at 7:00 am. The kollel thing that surprises him is the noise. Toronto, Rabbi David supports Kollel Yis- takes over at 9:30 am, and there is even an Before him are about 30 young men mach Moshe in the memory of the tzad- evening kollel from 8 to 10 pm. seated in groups of two, each en- dik Rabbi Moshe Aharon Pinto Zatzal, Of course, Rabbi David supports this ergetically discussing Torah and whose new building was inaugurated in institution. Yet more than this, by his vari- wholeheartedly defending his point May 2009 (see photograph). This kollel is ous travels he contributes to spreading of view, proving his point by refer- open to everyone who wants to fix a time spirituality and encourages the avrechim ring to a passage from the gemarot for learning Torah, and it offers courses who will become the pillars of their com- placed between them. The visitor’s in several languages (English, French, munity, meaning that he gives them a de- ears eventually get used to this, and Hebrew, and even Spanish) for everyone what he initially thought was shout- from beginners to experts. It provides a sire to learn the holy Torah. place for people to learn Torah whenever Thanks to Kollel Yismach Moshe, ing becomes a melody filled with they want, since it is open both day and which contributes to the growth of the love for Hashem. This melody cor- night to best respond to the needs of this Toronto Jewish community, everyone can responds to the fervent Torah study fine community. The essential thing is to agree that bracha (blessing) resides in the of the avrechim in Rabbi David Ha- allow everyone who comes to Kollel Yis- city! nania Pinto’s kollel. Located in the same building on Plateau Street for about 15 years, this study program for married men has actually existed since 1986, the year in which the project initiated by the Rav began on Hauteville Street. Since that time, the kollel has become one of the most im- portant in France, with its reputation extending all the way to Eretz Israel. The great rabbis of Jerusalem and Bnei Brak never fail to visit the kol- lel when they are in France. In total, there are about 30 avrechim studying full-time during the day and about 15 at night, not to mention the Sunday kollel, which has also met with great success. “For Kavod Harav Rabbi David Hanania Pinto Shlita, it is very im- portant for a place of Torah such as this one to exist in Paris,” recounts the Rosh Kollel, Rav Yehoshua Sol- Rav Prosper Lugassy Shlita, President of Yissmach Moshe omon. “From his teachers he learned (Toronto) at the Hilula of Rabbi Chaim Pinto in Morocco that the basis for kiruv – bringing 41 Jews closer to observing mitzvot – is without worrying, so that nothing Enthusiastic, he speaks of learn- the presence of bnei Torah in a ma- disrupts their Torah study,” explains ing focused on the Talmud, learn- kom [place] of Torah. He himself Mr. William Marciano, Rabbi David ing that teaches him to ask good draws great strength from it.” As Hanania Pinto’s secretary. questions and probe the Gemara’s with all the activities undertaken by Spending their days discussing the holy words until they have divulged the Pinto institutions, this one was infinite subtleties contained on a page all their meaning. “The Gemara is initiated by using every human and of Gemara goes against the false val- Hashem’s way of thinking,” he re- material resource necessary. As for ues of contemporary French society, minds us. Nevertheless, being an the avrechim, they have been chosen namely “success” at all costs, con- avrech does not limit itself to the with care, having been selected from suming ever more things, amassing walls of the Beit HaMidrash. Rather, the best yeshivot. The result is an possessions, and constantly seeking it is a way of life, one shared by all immense mitzvah being constantly out diversions. The avrechim have bnei Torah. Since we demand a great chosen another way: “If deal from those who are capable of Jews could understand much, they take upon themselves an just to what point the essential degree of strictness, fearing Torah makes a person that the smallest departure may be rich,” says one avrech construed as a chillul Hashem. In the with a smile. eyes of their fellow Jews, they actu- ally represent the world of mitzvot. Fortunately things They take this heavy responsibility change, and just as Jews upon themselves with emunah and return to the Torah, they bitachon – faith in G-d – which is discover a new concept: maintained by their daily exploration Torah study for its own of the Torah. sake. Devoting sev- eral hours each week to They derive their strength from learning Torah has in the days they spend on Plateau Street. fact become the norm “There’s tremendous respect for the for many Jews. Ba’alei avrechim here,” says one of them. batim sit side by side “We receive great strength from our with the avrechim on teacher, Rabbi David. During his si- the benches of the Beit chot, his talks, he speaks to us like a HaMidrash and benefit father speaks to his son. His friendli- from their deep under- ness and middot inevitably influence standing of the texts. us.” Moreover, it is upon these very This strong bond be- principles that the reins of the kollel tween Jews has always were entrusted to Rav Yehoshua Sol- been the engine of the omons two years ago. Rav Solomons’ Jewish people. Although clear way of teaching, his patience, in the last few decades and his immense understanding are mentioned by all the avrechim. The 11 rue du Plateau in Paris we may have feared that this bond might break, it As an uninterrupted chain going has since grown stronger. This is es- back to the Patriarch Abraham, Juda- fulfilled here, since it is said that the pecially true on Plateau Street, where ism has been transmitted by tzaddi- world endures on account of Torah the avrechim and ba’alei batim study kim to their students over the course study. As for the kollel – like those together at night and on Sundays. of the generations. As such the Jew- established by Hevrat Pinto in Vil- ish people receive the benefits of leurbanne, Toronto, Bnei Brak, Je- “We help them learn, and they en- this hashkafa – this Torah outlook rusalem, and Ashdod – it rests upon able us to benefit from their new per- – which inevitably influences them. solid foundations. For the avrechim, spectives on the Torah,” confides the For this, the effort of learning Torah it provides them with the assurance same avrech, who like all his friends must never diminish. The avrechim of being able to provide for their prefers to remain anonymous due to of Plateau Street work there relent- families every month. “This obvi- discretion. However when it comes lessly. ously requires a very large budget, to describing his days on Plateau but it is essential for them to study Street, we can’t stop him. 42 The Community’s Foundations Rest Upon the Avrechim The Yeshiva: Fertile Soil for Rabbi David Hanania Pinto entrusted the direction of his kollel to Rav Yeho- Torah shua Solomons. Since then, Rav Solomons divides his time between Bnei Brak and Plateau Street, where he works on making it one of the main Torah centers The scene is repeated every Friday night around a Shabbat table that is cov- in Paris. ered with a white tablecloth: It is well Question: What is the importance of an advanced place of study such as the past midnight, and about 20 bachurim kollel on Plateau Street? are listening to the shiur of Rav Baruch Answer: It consists of establishing a place where everyone can elevate them- Ber Leibowitz. Fascinated by the words selves in the study of Torah and service of Hashem. For this, we have received of their Rosh Yeshiva, they forget about the love and support of the teachings of our Rav and teacher, Rabbi David Ha- their exhaustion after a week of intensive nania Pinto Shlita. In concrete terms, we take care of the avrechim individually Torah study. In fact they are not even and make sure that they are progressing. They must be provided with the means thinking about sleep. Everything is sum- to feel connected to the Torah, to their friends, and to their rabbis. They are very marized in this sliver of life within the demanding in terms of wanting teachings and shiurim. Actually, they are talmi- yeshiva that Rabbi David Hanania Pinto dei chachamim from the best yeshivot. This desire to study that I sense in them opened last Elul on Plateau Street in gives us the strength to continue providing them with the very best. In this way, Paris. The efforts of the students are re- we mutually nourish one another. warded by putting tremendous resources at their disposal, beginning with a team Q: For many years now, Torah study is taking on an increasingly greater sta- of five exceptional rabbis brought in by tus in the community. How can you explain this need, from the Jews of France, Rav Yehoshua Solomons and Rav Ba- to know their Torah? ruch Ber Leibowitz. The student of Rav A: History has taught us that each time a yeshiva, kollel, or house of study is Shach Zatzal and the great-grandson of established in a given area and frequented by bnei Torah, the Jewish community Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibowitz Zatzal (the in that area progresses. It happens automatically! Unfortunately, the opposite is author of Birkat Shemuel and favorite also true. This means that a Jewish community prospers not only from a spiritual student of Rabbi Chaim of Brisk Zat- point of view, but also from a material point of view because of the avrechim. zal), Rav Baruch does not hesitate to fly Rabbi David learned this from his teachers and forefathers, the tzaddikim of the from Bnei Brak in Israel to Paris each Pinto dynasty. He therefore built a place of Torah here. Again, it is the essential week in order to spend Shabbat with his foundation upon which everything can be built. bachurim! Q: In a society where personal glory and wealth are highly valued, what can Recruited from among the most a kollel offer? In other words, what does a person gain by spending his days promising yeshivot ketanot of London, studying the Gemara? Saint Louis, Armentières, Marseille, Is- rael and elsewhere, these students live A: What’s now happening in the world provides the best answer to your and study at 11 Plateau Street, where question. We see that with the economic crisis, businessmen who had everything, two floors have been reserved for them. extremely wealthy men, lost their entire fortune in an instant. What better proof As always, everything is new, clean, and is there that we depend solely on the Holy One, blessed be He? tidy on the premises of Hevrat Pinto. For If we do His will, He gives. In the opposite case, oy vey! That is what we them and their parents, the wager has believe in. For example, I studied in the Ponevezh yeshiva; I did not learn a pro- been won: Running a new yeshiva is in fession. And yet look – the Holy One, blessed be He, gave me the ability to teach fact a leap into the unknown. However others and earn an honorable living! This is also the case with our avrechim, the reputation of Rabbi David Hanania thanks to our teacher and Rav, Rabbi David Pinto. Pinto has sufficed to remove all doubts. Baruch Hashem, the Torah advances in this way! However we must realize Nevertheless, welcoming youngsters that this demands that we, for our part, forgo excess. A person who is only inter- into the heart of a capital city that is ested in the material world cannot succeed in Torah study. Hashem takes care of filled with tumah [impurity] in order to our needs. When He sees that His children are studying in Batei Midrashot, as immerse them in a Torah environment is He asks us, He takes care of us like a father takes care of his children. not the usual practice of French yeshi- vot. Yet Rabbi David Pinto decided to Q: How do you choose avrechim who will honor the reputation of the kol- go against the current: “It was my deci- lel? sion to establish a yeshiva in the heart of A: We only accept candidates who have studied in a yeshiva. This means that Paris. I don’t see where the harm is! To- they have at least eight previous years of Torah study behind them, and that with day we must educate children to receive us they will continue to reach new levels. Later on they will become teachers, the Torah wherever it is found. We must rabbis, dayanim, etc. In fact it’s essential that after having received, they give help them to protect themselves from back in return. what is happening in the streets. You 43 know, yeshivot in Eretz Israel are found They encounter this future, so filled rim leave yeshivot in Israel earlier than in the middle of the city, whether it be with promise, each day at the Beit they should. There, they can lose them- Jerusalem or Bnei Brak,” he explains. HaMidrash on Plateau Street, where selves. It is very important, during their “It’s the same for the Sunderland the bachurim and avrechim of the kol- initial years at a yeshiva, to establish the yeshiva, where I studied in England. I’ll lel study. It is with tender nostalgia that foundations of a life of bnei Torah in a tell you something more: In front of that one of them remembers these years: yeshiva made for them.” yeshiva, there was a very ‘dirty’ park, “Once you’ve left and become a father, For the time being, the bachurim of not tzniut at all. Yet it was up to us to along with all the responsibilities that it Rabbi David Hanania Pinto’s yeshiva be very cautious. As far as I know, it entails, you often find yourself wanting are pioneers. Like all first year students, didn’t prevent gedolim such as Rav Nis- to return to the yeshiva. Who else but a they develop unique relationships. Later sim Rebibo Zatzal, Rav Israel Zatzal of yeshiva bachur can store so much Torah on, when they look back on their first Sarcelles, or Rav Gabriel Ittah Shlita of without having to worry about anything year, they will certainly realize just how Strasbourg from studying Torah there.” else?” fertile the seed they planted was. After In order to help them stay focused The yeshiva is based on the premise all, was it not in France that the Ba’alei and not turn aside from their page of Ge- that everyone comes out a winner: In Tosaphot prospered? mara, an intensive session of Torah study exchange for their desire to constantly Great Will be the Glory of this learn more and for their enthusiasm, was established (see opposite page). House Thus in arriving at Plateau Street, the bachurim en- ter directly into a world of Torah study, joining 32 the best among the Jewish peo- ple. It is a path whose direction will be primarily determined by the yeshiva. In fact over the course of these exciting years, this is where every- thing happens that will turn them into bnei Torah. Just as the generations The New Torah Center at 32 rue du Plateau in Paris that preceded them, they will the bachurim receive special instruction “A Psalm. A Song for the inaugura- grow accustomed to Torah study, culti- from their rabbis, who in turn received tion of the Temple, by David” (Tehillim vating it until it has become both a ne- it from their teachers. Such has been the 30:1). cessity and a central pillar in their lives, case since Moshe Rabbeinu, who re- as comfortable as a glove. However the “This is the day Hashem has made. ceived the Torah on Mount Sinai: The yeshiva is also the place where people Let us rejoice and be glad in it” (ibid. Jewish people have been transmitting G- learn to live as a group, a place for mu- 118:24). d’s word from generation to generation. tual respect and sharing, for the need to “Halleluyah! Give thanks to Hash- develop good middot. “Our goal is to make them into men em, for He is good, for His kindness is who are connected to Torah, for them Paradoxically, it is also these life les- eternal” (ibid. 106:1). to love it and find joy in it,” confirms sons – acquired in an exclusively male The Orot Haim OuMoshe institutions the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Yehoshua Solo- environment – that will allow them to have the merit of inaugurating a new mons. “What we offer them here is an properly manage the great adventure of building in the 19th district of Paris. ideal and sheltered environment. Expe- family life among the Jewish people. In Sefer Vayikra (Parsha Shem- rience teaches us that too many bachu-

44 ini) we read, “It was on the eighth day, ence. Hence when we can go from a these people were to diminish, the work Moshe called Aaron and his sons and small and confined place to a new build- done at the very outset will have been the elders of Israel” (Vayikra 9:1-2). ing – one that allows numerous Jews in in vain. Hence the Orot Haim OuMoshe On the eighth day of the inauguration, search of G-d’s word to come and study institutions decided to construct a new Moshe Rabbeinu succeeded in setting up in peace – it is a day of joy comparable building to replace the old one. Numer- the Sanctuary, and Hashem rested His to that of Creation. Each Jew who goes ous Torah classes on various subjects Presence among the Children of Israel. to this place in order to study will merit have been given there in order to pur- Moshe had set up the Sanctuary on the welcoming the Divine Presence within sue and strengthen the teshuvah move- previous seven days, but he dismantled himself, for it resides in everyone who ment, around the world in general and in it at night after seeing that the Divine studies Torah. France specifically. Presence did not rest upon it. Finally on In Parsha Lech Lecha we read, Thankfully, Hashem has given me the eighth day, Hashem made His Pres- “Abram took his wife Sarai and Lot, his the merit of having children who are ence rest upon the Sanctuary, among the brother’s son, and all their wealth that ready to work with all their might in this Children of Israel. they had amassed and the souls they endeavor to spread Torah and increase Regarding the above verse (“it was made in Haran” (Bereshith 12:5). Rashi the fear of G-d. I am thinking in particu- on the eighth day…”), the Midrash asks interprets the expression “the souls they lar of my sons Rav Raphael, Rav Moshe why the expression “it was” is used. It replies that this is the same expression used in the description of Creation: “It was evening, it was morning.” In other words, the joy felt by Hashem on the day of the Sanctuary’s inaugu- ration was the same as at Creation. When Moshe received the order to build the Sanctuary, the Torah states: “They shall build Me a Sanctuary, so that I may dwell among them” (Shemot 25:8). Our Sages note that the verse does not say “so that I may dwell in it,” but rather “so that I may dwell among them.” This teaches us that the Divine Presence resides in ev- ery Jew. The Sanctuary is where the Divine Presence is most concentrated in the world, and in parallel to this, it resides in every Jew. Thus the Divine Presence, concentrated in the Sanctu- Lecture at Manhathan Sefaradic Synagogue ary, spreads out to each of us. Rabbi Chiya bar Ammi taught in the name of Ulla: “From the day the made” to mean that Abram converted Aharon, and Rav Yoel, may they have a Temple was destroyed, all that remains the men and Sarai converted the wom- long and good life. Thanks to the merit for G-d in this world is four cubits of en, such that the text considers that they of their ancestors, large numbers of peo- Halachah” (Berachot 8a). made them (for the Divine cause). ple participate in their classes. When the Temple stood, the Divine Surprisingly, the Torah does not tell With G-d’s help, I want to build five Presence was concentrated there. Since us what happened to those whom Abram new Torah centers in Paris, large and that time, it spread out to the entire and Sarai converted, nor does it mention magnificent, just like their predecessors. world. Once the Temple was destroyed, their descendants. Since the Torah had G-d will help us achieve this. the Divine Presence was confined to not yet been given, there was no value places of prayer and study, for that is Everyone knows that the construc- system in place to help these people where it is found. It is from these places tion and maintenance of such buildings continue on the right path, and so they that it spreads out to all the people. incurs tremendous costs. returned to their erroneous ways. Unfortunately, in our days we have I would like, dear readers, to share In our day, thank G-d, many people neither the Sanctuary nor the Temple, with you an enlightening story that hap- have returned to the Torah, and we have and we must look in synagogues and pened not too long ago in Israel. In the encouraged them along this path. Nev- houses of study to find the Divine Pres- Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Nof, ertheless, it is clear that if our efforts for an avrech (a married man who studies 45 Torah full time) with a very large fam- In the Footsteps of their Fa- vid spread faith in G-d and a desire to ily was facing serious financial difficul- ther fulfill mitzvot and study Torah. ties. One day a very wealthy man who Over the past three years, the With the very same goal in mind, lived outside of Israel offered to help they have taken the initiative (with the him financially in exchange for sharing movement for teshuvah taking place consent of the Rav) to organize Shab- the merit of his Torah learning (like the at 11 Plateau Street in the 19th district batons that are full of activities to unite agreement between Issachar and Zebu- of Paris is part of a worldwide return the youngsters attending their classes, lon). The avrech joyfully accepted this to Judaism. making for a remarkable atmosphere. proposition, and the agreement between Started in 2006 with the objec- Baruch Hashem, the results can be felt, them lasted for many years. tive of spreading Torah and bring- and numerous young men have taken Not long ago, the avrech became ing young Jews closer to Torah, the decision to observe Shabbat after very ill and died. At the end of the week Rabbi Moshe Pinto invites men this experience. of mourning, his widow tried to contact each Monday, Tuesday, and Thurs- their benefactor to inform him that her day night at 8:45 for an exceptional The Torah and faith constitute the husband had died and therefore their Dvar Torah. foundation of the Jewish people’s ex- istence. Today, with the situation in agreement had come to an end. This class takes place in a warm Eretz Israel, each of us is obligated to A soon as she made the call, the setting and is open to all men, both wake up. benefactor’s wife informed her that she more observant and less observant. had also lost her husband and was still Hashem sends us miracles by sav- “Since the return of Rabbi David in the week of mourning. Incredible, but ing our brothers in Israel who serve as Pinto and his family, I’ve discovered a true! soldiers. We must be G-d’s soldiers by way of life that’s more in keeping with This story teaches us that it was not studying for them, and may the merit Jewish tradition, meaning the practice really the benefactor who was support- of this mitzvah spread, with G-d’s of mitzvot and study of Torah,” ex- ing the avrech and enabling him to live, help, in an ever-increasing way! but the very opposite! As soon as the plain several young men at the end of avrech died, the mission of his benefac- the class. Yiddishkeit Finds a Home on tor came to an end. This phenomenon began when a Plateau Street Everyone must therefore realize that large number of Jews opened their The new location at 32 Plateau the essential thing in life is Torah study eyes to the world around us. Street strengthens Hevrat Pinto’s pres- and the effort that one invests in it. Hap- The spiritual and religious jour- ence even more in this Paris neighbor- py are those who, through their wealth, ney that Rabbi Moshe Pinto suggests hood, the appearance of which has have the merit of supporting those who to those who choose this path is what been changed by it. From now on, study! They should know that the Torah leads them to adopting all the values even more Jews will be able to receive studied on their account sustains their of Judaism. This movement continues the Torah there. families and themselves. to the present day under the supervi- With its various floors and split- The development of Torah study sion of his father, Rabbi David Ha- levels that open onto one another, brings with it an increase in wealth. We nania Pinto. along with its staircases and rail- note that the GDPs of numerous coun- ings, the place makes one think of a tries have increased due to the number The first classes began in 2006 with boat. After all, nothing could be more of people who support and study Torah. five students on Plateau Street in Paris, close to the Buttes Chaumont subway natural, since the new location at 32 To conclude, I ask the Master of the Plateau Street is destined to become universe for the merit of my ancestors of station. It later became famous as blessed memory to protect all who study “Rabbi Moshe’s and everyone who supports Torah in class,” which our institutions. Despite the worldwide today counts at economic crisis, may they succeed in all least 100 young their endeavors according to the decla- men each night. ration: “It is a tree of life to those who Besides be- grasp it. Happy are those who support ing young, it” (Mishlei 3:18). Rabbi Moshe With the blessing of the Torah and and his younger its students, brother Yoel David Hanania Pinto spare no effort in helping their father Rabbi Da- 46 Rav Moshe Pinto giving a lecture at 11 rue du Plateau in Paris Hevrat Pinto’s flagship in Paris. The the class soft glow of recessed ceiling lights, of Rabbi walls painted clear violet, and dark Moshe, one wood moldings gives it a warm, al- of Rabbi most cozy atmosphere. If the objec- David Ha- tive is to give everyone the impression nania Pin- of being at home in a house of Torah, to’s sons. that objective has been met. His shiur “We purchased the place a year and has become a half ago. Since then, we’ve done a a major lot of work,” recounts William Mar- gathering ciano, the secretary of Rabbi David spot for Hanania Pinto Shlita. “We have to say youngsters that, ben porat Yosef, we’ve started in the 19th lacking space to welcome all the Jews district of Chaumont Park. At the same time, who come here.” Already located at 9 Paris. the Jewish community in the 19th and 11 Plateau Street, the Pinto institu- It is a phenomenon encouraged district has been strengthened even tions now benefit from an extra 4,000 by the Rav, convinced of the absolute more: Murger Street, Petit Street, Ma- square feet. It’s a building in which need to offer Torah guidelines to this nin Street, Flandre Avenue, Place des we find a new Beit HaMidrash, a large segment of the Jewish community. Fêtes, and Plateau Street – the district synagogue with a woman’s section, “Today I focus my efforts on them. I continues to be a robust home for yid- and various offices that will finally also teach this to my own children: Fo- dishkeit (Jewish life) in the Diaspora. be combined in the same building. cus on the young! They are the future. It is a phenomenon that confirms the Rabbi David Hanania Pinto’s office Experience has shown that when we hunch of Rabbi David Hanania Pinto, will be located at the end of the cor- bring the Torah to them, their entire who long ago declared this blossom- ridor. It is a square room, of medium family changes,” he shares with us. ing of Jewish life in the eastern part size, designed to be set up as discreetly “In the new building at 32, I expect to of Paris. as the office that he now occupies at focus my efforts particularly on young 9 Plateau Street. “I don’t want visitors women. We have to organize Torah As for the future? There’s no doubt to be intimated by something luxuri- classes for them in order for a balance that, one day or another, the building ous,” explains the Rav. “I want them to exist. If we deal only with the boys, at 32 Plateau Street will no longer be to see something simple. The rich will how will they find a shidduch who will enough. Anticipation being the foun- see a very simple office, with Torah correspond to their level of Torah? dation of good management, future books and photographs of tzaddikim. Young women are also looking for an expansion projects are already well As for the poor, they will feel at ease identity.” under way, as William Marciano re- veals. It is confirmed by the Rav him- there. It’s very important for people In the meantime, Plateau Street has self: “G-d willing, I plan on opening who come here not to feel intimidated. become even more of a focal point for still more Batei Midrashot in Paris. In this way, I can ask them to commit Jewish life in Paris. The evolution of For now, I prefer not to say where, but themselves to keeping this or that new the neighborhood testifies to this, for it there will be five or six of them in the mitzvah.” has been transformed by the flame of next two years. With G-d’s help, we’ll Thanks to the extra space offered the Torah lit by the Pinto institutions. have great success in Israel, Lyon, and by “32” – as we have started calling it Fifteen years after the arrival of the Paris.” – the Pinto institutions will be able to kollel, we now have a kosher restau- expand their activities to an even great- rant, caterer, and supermarket in the This success can be measured by er extent. There was 9 Plateau Street, local area. Moreover, a kosher butcher the number of institutions that Hevrat where the public would squeeze in to shop has just opened at the corner of Pinto has established and supports see the Rav, and there was 11 Plateau Plateau Street. Thanks to the mikveh around the world, or by the crowds Street, with a mikveh, services for for men and prayer services held at the that attend the Rav’s lectures, or fi- Shabbat, the yeshiva and a kollel. With Beit HaMidrash, the area has become nally by the quality of Torah learning just these locations, we began to feel very attractive to Jewish families. that the avrechim and bachurim en- a little confined, especially at night, There are also more and more fami- gage in. After all, the Jewish people when we had to find place for - doz lies moving into this quiet neighbor- have several powerful and established ens of youngsters who came to attend hood, nestled by the slopes of Buttes Chassidic movements among them. Yet what gives the actions of Hevrat 47 Pinto their unique character is that employ them are not inclined to let avrechim who study in the yeshiva. all kinds of Jews are involved in it: them go study in the middle of work, Through the initiative of Rabbi David Sephardim and Ashkenazim, rich and and they’re exhausted when they ar- Hanania Pinto, there is a charity orga- poor, ba’alei teshuvah and rebbes, rive home after work. This is the only nization called Hessed Haim that deals New York chassidim and traditional- solution, for by devoting their free primarily with the needy in the city, ists…the list goes on. Eventually one hour to learning Torah, they can fulfill both on a financial and spiritual basis. sees them all on Plateau Street, where what is asked of every man, namely to The organization is led by Mr. Laurent they come to seek advice or a bless- fix times for Torah study. Elbaze, who is assisted by Mrs. Hanna ing from Rabbi David Hanania Pinto. This is not the only “Torah activ- Zadel and her husband. Each week “Yet be careful,” warns the Rav, “be- ity” that is offered to the residents of before Shabbat and the holidays, food cause anyone who thinks in terms of Lyon, however. In fact other special packages are delivered to homes, hos- ‘my territory’ will not succeed. He concepts have been put in place, with pitals, and other places. will have to give an accounting before a special emphasis on adolescents. For There is also a seminary for women G-d, because in the end we all work example, soccer games are organized called Beit Simha. Under the direction for Him. My father raised me with the on Sunday afternoons in which partic- of Mrs. Josiane Elharrar, who is as- certainty that there’s no such thing as ipants must wear a kippah and tzitzit. sisted by Mrs. Monique Amos, classes personal territory. This world is called Rabbi Raphael explains: “We’ve are held for women and girls. At Beit the territory of the Holy One, blessed tried to find ways to involve youngsters Simha, various speakers (both male be He. Each makom – each place – be- in Torah classes, for in order to show and female) and rabbis are regularly longs to Him.” In this case, there is no them the light of the Torah, we must invited to give talks. doubt that He truly feels at home on start by making them savor its sweet- Furthermore, they have built in Vil- Plateau Street. ness. ‘Taste and see that it is good,’ leurbanne, near their offices, a mikveh When the Young Follow our Sages say. First ‘taste,’ then ‘see’ that is clearly one of the most beauti- When speaking of the French Rev- that it is good. We realized that what ful in all of Europe. This is both from olution, historians among the nations most interests them is soccer, and we an esthetic and halachic point of view, love to mention what happened more decided to use these weekly games according to the dayan of the city, Rav than two hundred years ago in France. to further the cause. Only youngsters Yihia Teboul, who followed its con- As for those of us who believe in the who attend two hours of Torah classes struction from start to finish. All this Torah of Israel, when we speak of a every week can participate in these thanks to Rabbi David Pinto. “revolution,” we only want to speak games, and so little by little we accus- Rabbi Raphael Pinto divides his about the revolution taking place in tom them to Torah classes.” time between the Lyon community and the Torah realm. When we speak Today, there Israel, where several Shabbatons have of the “French revolution,” we only are about 20 been successfully organized through- want to speak about the incredible out the year, gathering young Is- Torah revolution that has taken place raelis of French origin. in France, and which began a few de- May the Holy One, cades ago under the direction of our blessed be He, teacher Rabbi David Hanania Pinto. help Rabbi Ra- The place where this revolution began phael follow in is the city of Lyon-Villeurbanne, and the footsteps it is with tremendous love and devo- of his illustri- tion for Torah that Rabbi Raphael, the ous ancestors. son of the Rav, continues the work to Amen! this day. During the last few years, the work has continued with great en- ergy thanks to a simple and creative concept called “Lunch and Learn.” In other words, people learn Torah while eating lunch. People who work for a living have almost no free time to devote to Torah study. The companies that 48 The Sanctity of the Synagogue By the Gaon Rabbi Yossef Ben Adahan Zatzal According to Rabbi Yosef Karo (Orach Chaim 151:1), one is forbidden to act in a light-hearted manner while in synagogue, such as by laughing, jok- ing, and speaking about secular matters. One is also not allowed to eat and drink in synagogue, nor to enter it because of rain or on account of the heat. Torah scholars and their students are allowed to eat in synagogue if they have no other choice. One must not calculate accounts in synagogue unless it is for the purpose of a mitzvah and the like, and eulogies should not be made there unless it is for one of the great sages of the city. If one has to enter a synagogue for personal reasons, such as to summon someone, he should enter and read a little, or say a Dvar Torah and the like. If he does not know to read, he should tell one of the children there, “Read me a verse from leaving the king’s presence and engag- not listening to the Torah.” what you are reading,” or he should sit ing in frivolous conversation, especially I’m very surprised when I see people a little and then leave. This is because during prayer. Orach Chaim 124:7 states who are extremely careful in regards sitting in a synagogue is a mitzvah, as it that one who talks during the Chazan’s to the prohibition of chelev, and even says: “Happy are those who sit in Your repetition incurs a very grave sin, for more so in regards to chametz, even the house.” which he must be reprimanded. Also see tiniest amount, implementing one strin- The Magen Avraham (151:9) states Orach Chaim 51:4, which states that one gency after the other. This is especially that the Arizal would refrain from spit- must be careful not to talk from Baruch true for prohibitions whose punishment ting in synagogue. He would also be She’amar until the end of Shemoneh Es- is extremely grave, such as karet [exci- careful not to say anything in synagogue rei, even for the sake of a mitzvah. One sion], the Torah being so strict as to say other than prayers, even avoiding words must also not talk from Yishtabach to that chametz should not even be seen or of Mussar and teshuvah, in case they Yotzer, which is a sin. In fact in former found in one’s possession during Pass- might lead to secular conversation. Rab- times, a person had to leave the battle over. beinu Yaakov used to sweep the floor front and return home on account of this If you were to tell such a person that with his beard before the Ark, as men- sin, as it says in Orach Chaim 54:3. Rab- he has eaten chelev or blood, or that he tioned in Sefer Chassidim (ch. 128). bi Yosef Karo also wrote (Orach Chaim has transgressed the prohibition of cha- A person should wipe the mud off his 146:2) that once the Torah reading has metz on Passover or he has eaten on shoes before entering a synagogue, and begun, a person cannot even say a divrei Yom Kippur, he will become very angry neither he nor his clothes should have Torah, not even between one aliyah and and start screaming at you. In fact he any dirt on them, as the Shulchan Aruch the next. Some authorities do allow this, will confront you to the point of physical has mentioned (Orach Chaim 151:8). but only in regards to divrei Torah, not harm, since you have suspected him of Observe and see the great sanctity of secular conversations, which must never having transgressed a prohibition whose the synagogue! The holy Zohar states, take place in synagogue. As the com- punishment is karet; he might even kill “Israel is kept in exile for three rea- mentators say, this is included in the you if a weapon were in his hand. All sons: Because they pay scant respect to verse: “Those who forsake Hashem will this is in regards to incurring the pun- the Shechinah in their exile…” (Zohar perish” (Isaiah 1:28). Concerning such ishment of karet, which is excision from III:75b). The author of Reshith Chochma a person we read, “For he has scorned this world only, and for having violated explains this to mean that they engage the word of Hashem” (Bamidbar 15:31), a once-in-a-year prohibition. That be- in secular conversation while in syna- G-d forbid, and he will be punished with ing said, how can a person not have gogue, the place where the Shechinah excision from both this world and the mercy on his own soul by transgressing resides. There is no greater insult than World to Come, for “he closes his ear, 36 prohibitions a year – each of which 49 incurs the punishment of karet – by en- “Master of the universe, Your nation not only for himself, but for the com- gaging in secular conversations during Israel are thieves.” Hashem answers, munity. Adults are obligated to warn the reading of the Torah? How can he “Have you not found anyone else but children, and they will be rewarded for not care about cutting himself off from Israel? Go and see how many robbers having brought them to synagogue. As both this world and the next? This is the and thieves are among the nations.” The Rabbi Eleazar ben Azariah explains in harshest of all punishments, a common Satan repeats his accusation by saying, the Gemara, “Why do the little ones prohibition that no one can avoid, and “Your nation are adulterers,” to which come? In order to grant reward to those yet it has become trivial in the eyes of Hashem answers: “Go to Esau and Ish- who bring them” (Chagigah 3a). Tosa- many! A person will flippantly claim, “I mael.” This occurs for each and every phot explain that it is from here that we was only talking, not doing something!” transgression. Yet when the Satan says, learn to bring children to synagogue. However we note that speech is worse “Your nation has secular conversations In his book Shtay Yadot, the Maharam than deed, as we find in the case of the in synagogue,” Hashem apparently can- Lunzano writes that in our time, people spies. Speaking has an effect on things, not reply, and they are judged to have are punished for bringing their children and “Death and life are in the power of transgressed this prohibition. Thus the to laugh and play in synagogue, for the tongue” (Mishlei 18:21). Thus in the commentators explain the verse, “Hash- they make so much noise that the adults incident with the spies, the Children of em will fight for you, and you shall re- cannot hear. These children grow up Israel sinned and were punished. This main silent” (Shemot 14:14) to mean that without any fear, and “even when he sin led to others, including the incident for all transgressions, Hashem will fight grows old, he shall not swerve from it” at the “waters of Meriva.” Thus a sinner for us, but only if we “remain silent” in (Mishlei 22:6). leads others to sin, meaning that he car- synagogue. Otherwise, there will be no The Yalkut Tehillim (Tanna D’vei ries the responsibility of their sins upon answers to our transgressions. Eliyahu Rabba 13, Bamidbar Rabba himself. He must therefore be vigilant We therefore see how grave this 4:20) describes a man whose son used to and recognize the punishment that he transgression is, and how much evil a make disparaging remarks in synagogue. incurs by doing so, and tell others about person brings upon himself by engaging When the congregants recited Hallel it. He will then understand, repent, and in it. According to the Zohar in Parsh- and replied “Halleluyah,” he would re- never return to his former ways, thereby iot Terumah and Vayakhel, “Woe unto ply with profanity. The father was told, saving his soul from the abyss and con- him who engages in conversations of “Listen to what your son is saying!” ferring merit upon the community. a secular nature in synagogue…for he However he replied, “He’s just a little In the laws regarding the correct use has no part in the G-d of Israel.” There- boy, so what can I do?” Thus the boy of the term “Amen,” the Orchot Chaim fore why should a person lose his world continued to act like this during all eight states: “From the time they respond in an instant without any benefit and days of the festival. Within three years, ‘Amen,’ children merit the World to enjoyment? There is no greater foolish- the man and his wife were dead, along Come.” Woe to those who engage in ness than this, for if a person trusts in with 15 members of his family. Only secular conversations or jokes during the words of Chazal and believes that two survived: One crippled and blind, prayer, thereby preventing their sons the Shechinah dwells in synagogue, and the other insane and wicked. See from entering the World to Come. We how can he possible think of ending what happened because this man did not must learn from the nations of the world, his conversation with the king in or- reprimand his son! This may be what the who despite being idol worshippers, der to have a frivolous chat? Of course verse is referring to by stating, “Disci- remain silent while standing in their the king will be angry with him, and pline your son, for there is hope. Do not places of worship. How much more he will shout: “Remove this lout from let your soul be swayed by his protests” should we, who stand before the King my presence and punish him sevenfold (Mishlei 19:18). That is, he and his chil- of kings, remain silent! We have already for his transgression.” If a person does dren were punished by death because he seen with our own eyes how many syna- not believe this, then he is truly ill; he did not discipline his children and teach gogues have been destroyed because is an apikoros, one who will be taken them the fear of Heaven, as we read: congregants fail to act seriously in them, down and not brought up. Who asked “You shall revere My sanctuary” (Vay- turning these houses of worship into such a person to come to synagogue ikra 19:30), and the synagogue is called places of Avodah Zarah. As the prophet and trample His holy house? He comes a miniature sanctuary. A man should at says, “Has this house, upon which My to synagogue without any real inten- least try to infuse the fear of Heaven in Name is proclaimed, become a den of tion, only out of habit, which is what the heart of his children and instill good criminals?” (Jeremiah 7:11). Therefore I call Avodah Zarah, as we read: “Into habits in them, this being the right path each individual must be careful to fear it will come lawless people who will to follow. his Creator and not talk during prayer. profane it” (Ezekiel 7:22) and, “A boor By becoming a “miniature sanctu- I have seen among the commenta- cannot know, nor can a fool understand ary” and guarding his tongue from all tors, who cite the Midrash, that Hashem this” (Tehillim 92:7). However, “Lips evil, a person can sanctify all five parts engages in war each day against the of knowledge are a precious jewel” of his mouth, which encompass all 22 Satan, who accuses Israel by saying: (Mishlei 20:15). An individual learns letters of the Hebrew alphabet: Those

50 pronounced with the throat (aleph chet, meaning that whatever he asks for will We therefore see that everything hei, ayin), with the lips (beit, vav, mem, be granted. Honor and glory will crown depends on the mouth: The mouth that peh), with the pallet (gimel, yud, caph, him, and he will shine as brightly as the has forbidden is the same mouth that kuf), with the teeth (zayin, shin, samech, heavens. has permitted. In the verse, “In all toil resh, tzadi), and with the tongue (dalet, In the book Kav HaYashar (ch. 12), there is profit, but talk of the lips only tet, lamed, nun, tav). The prayers of such we read about a chassid who appeared to brings loss” (Mishlei 14:23), the word a person will pierce the Heavens and his wife in a dream, his face and beard etzev (“toil”) is formed by the initials of arise like a sword. In fact Chazal explain shining like a bright torch. When she the terms erev (“evening”), tzahorayim that this is why the prayers of our forefa- asked him how this happened, he re- (“noon”), and boker (“morning”). This thers were heard and took effect, for they plied: “Although I was a chassid, I did corresponds to the three daily prayers sanctified the five parts of their mouths not merit this light on that account. It that were instituted by our Patriarchs, as and were careful not to defile them with was only because I was careful to only the Gemara tells us (Berachot 26b). The secular words, especially not with blas- speak words of Torah and the fear of letters forming the word etzev corre- phemy, profanity, or light-hearted com- Heaven. Hashem therefore rewarded me spond to the second letters in the names ments and the like. This is hinted at in for having avoided mundane conversa- of the Patriarchs: The second letter in the verse, “He shall do all that proceeds tions. Furthermore, my desires were the name Abraham (beit) corresponds to from his mouth” (Bamidbar 30:3). That always directed towards the fear of G-d boker (“morning”), for Abraham estab- is, if a person does not defile his words, and Torah, which lengthens days, con- lished the morning prayer; the second let- then whatever he says shall take place trary to mundane words.” ter in the name Isaac (tzadi) corresponds and his words will not be annulled, even to tzahorayim (“afternoon”), for Isaac The time for Torah study and the time if uttered unintentionally. As Chazal say established the afternoon prayer; and the for prayer should be distinct, for both are in this regard, “It is like an unintentional second letter in the name Jacob (ayin) necessary. One without the other cannot word spoken by the king.” Whoever de- corresponds to erev (“evening”), for Ja- take effect in the supernal worlds. In the files his mouth also defiles the covenant, cob established the evening prayer. The Gemara we read, “Rabbi Chelbo said in for speech is connected to the covenant. Patriarchs are also mentioned in the fol- the name of Rabbi Huna, ‘When a man This is hinted at by the verse, “I shall lowing order: “I will remember My cov- leaves the synagogue, he should not take not profane my covenant, and I shall enant with Jacob, and also My covenant large steps.’ Abaye says, ‘This is only not alter the utterance of my lips” (Te- with Isaac, and also My covenant with when he leaves the synagogue; when he hillim 89:35). When shall I not “profane Abraham” (Vayikra 26:42). Such is the is going to synagogue, it is a mitzvah to my covenant”? It will be when “I shall meaning of, “In all toil there is profit,” run’ ” (Berachot 6b). All the commenta- not alter the utterance of my lips.” This meaning that by these three prayers, a tors ask which new principle we learn is a very grave sin, and one who trans- person will grow and his prayers will be from Abaye. The Ein Yaakov and com- gresses it is not allowed into Hashem’s accepted. When will this happen? When mentators explain that Abaye was only presence, as we read: “No evil dwells he puts an effort into speaking little, speaking of situations in which a person with You” (Tehillim 5:5). We also read, which will be beneficial to him. Hashem leaves synagogue without the intention “You shall guard yourself from all evil” will then answer his prayers, for as we of returning. If he leaves with the inten- (Devarim 23:10), which Chazal under- said earlier, silence is extremely useful tion of returning, however, it is a mitz- stand as “evil speech.” By being care- and greatly augments prayer. In fact the vah to run out. ful in this regard, a person’s prayer will word tefillah (“prayer”) is formed by be pure and ascend be- This introduction allows us to under- the initials of tachsom pikha letoelete fore the Master, the stand the meaning of the term haloch (“to ha’tefillah (“seal your lips for the benefit G-d of Israel, go”), which is used in the following of prayer”). four instances: Haloch ve’chassor The Ba’alei HaMussar recount that (“diminishing” - Bereshith 8:5), ha- they received a tradition that the fear loch ve’nassoa (“going and traveling” of Heaven cannot penetrate the heart of - Bereshith 12:9), haloch ve’gadel someone who is talkative. Each time that (“growing greater” - Bereshith a person allows frivolous things to enter 26:13), haloch va’shov (“going and his heart, words of Torah leave and the coming” - Bereshith 8:3). The expla- fear of Heaven departs from him. This is nation is the following: Our Sages say because both things cannot exist in the that a person must not walk quickly when same place: When one enters, the other leaving synagogue without the intention departs. Hence a person must put an ef- of returning (haloch ve’nassoa). How- fort into speaking as little as possible, ever if he has the intention of going even at other times and in places besides and coming (haloch va’shov), thereby the synagogue. growing greater (haloch ve’gadel), he may walk quickly. 51 YOU SHALL CHOOSE LIFE By Rabbi David Hanania Pinto Chlita

It is written, “And Lavan and the evil inclination has overpowered their wealth solely to praise Him Hazeroth and Di-Zahav” (Deva- him, G-d forbid, and he has become and pursue spiritual endeavors. We rim 1:1). haughty on account of his wealth therefore see that the power of judg- – turning into a materialistic per- ment and choice was given to man, The Gemara states, “What is ‘and son who indulges in pleasures and who possesses freewill to choose Di-Zahav’? They said in the school is obsessed with the desires of this between good and evil. of Rabbi Yanai: Thus spoke Moshe world, all his thoughts being direct- before the Holy One, blessed be He: So it is with anyone whom Hash- ed to worldly vanities – then he has ‘Sovereign of the universe, the silver em has blessed with sons and daugh- used his freewill for evil and his fate and gold [zahav] that You showered ters: It is that person’s decision to is uncertain. The more his wealth upon Israel until they said “Enough choose either good, by guiding the increases, the more distant he will [dai]” – that is what led them to heart of his children along the right grow from Hashem and His Torah, making the calf.’ … Rabbi Shemuel path, or evil by lowering them to the G-d forbid. In fact the verse, “Ye- bar Nachmani said in the name of abyss, G-d forbid. Why did Hashem shurun grew fat and kicked” (Deva- Rabbi Yochanan: ‘How do we know promise to bestow numerous bless- rim 32:15) will be fulfilled in him. that the Holy One, blessed be He, ings upon our father Abraham? The Torah warns, “Beware lest… in the end agreed with Moshe? Be- He said, “For I know him, that he your heart becomes haughty and you cause it says, “I lavished silver and will command his children and his forget Hashem your G-d” (Devarim gold upon her, but they used it for household after him, and they shall 8:11-14), meaning that this person’s the Baal” [Hosea 2:10]’ ” (Berachot keep the way of Hashem, to perform possessions were his downfall. As 32a). The Holy One, blessed be He, righteousness and justice” (Bereshith the verse states, “Riches hoarded by loves His nation with an eternal 18:19). The main purpose for bring- their owner [are] to his misfortune” love, and therefore He judged them ing children into the world is to edu- favorably and agreed with Moshe (Kohelet 5:12). cate them in the ways of Torah and Rabbeinu that an abundance of sil- I have often had the opportunity mitzvot, in order for them to become ver and gold is what brought about to address wealthy people who have bnei Torah, servants of Hashem, and the sin of the golden calf. abandoned a life of Torah and mitz- for the fear of Heaven to appear on Yet any person, wherever he vot, and I have reprimanded them their faces. Happy is the one who may be, obviously has the power harshly and directly without fear. chooses the right path. Yet to our to withstand trials if he wants to, “It’s a pity that Hashem gave you so utter dismay, there are people who since the Holy One, blessed be He, much money,” I say to them. “Be- choose the wrong path, educating does bring a trial upon a person un- fore you became wealthy, you used their children in an improper way, a less he can withstand it. Everyone to keep Jewish traditions and know way that is filled with thorns, a way can choose to use the wealth that Hashem. But now money has blind- devoid of Torah and mitzvot. How Hashem has given him for the right ed you, and you have forgotten your can such children not sin? Eventu- purposes: To increase the honor of G-d.” ally, to their parents’ surprise, such Hashem in the world by supporting To distinguish between the holy children will leave their heritage be- those who study Torah, by helping and the mundane, the holy Patri- hind and turn their backs not only on the needy, by distributing food to archs were also given great wealth the Holy One, blessed be He, but on the poor, and by using his money by Hashem. Nevertheless, the more their parents as well! Only then will for acts of charity and kindness. If their wealth increased, the more the parents think of questioning the a person has been wise and chosen their love for Hashem increased, for disastrous education that they gave to this path, meaning that he has mer- they knew that everything comes their children, something for which ited to withstand the trial of wealth, from His generous hand. The more they will weep bitter tears. As our then this merit will remain for him good He bestowed upon them, the Sages have said, “Bad upbringing in in the World to Come. However if more they cleaved to Him and used a man’s house is worse than the war 52 of Gog and Magog” (Berachot 7b). [Bereshith 22:8], Isaac immediately comes from Him, so why should they What is responsible for all this? It is rejoiced and sang a song. What was be sorrowful or complain? Jacob and the foolishness and vanity of parents his song? A song of an offering” his sons will always rest on Shabbat; in choosing such detrimental educa- (Orach Chaim 292). I have explained they will always be happy in serving tion for their children – the educa- the words “Abraham shall rejoice” Hashem, following the example of tion of the nations – an education in a similar way: Since he realized Abraham and Isaac. Thus everything devoid of all spiritual content. that his son Isaac had reached such a depends on personal choice, on how In contrast, let us examine the lofty level – not only feeling no re- a person chooses to educate his chil- way of our father Abraham of gret over being sacrificed on the altar, dren. Happy are those who are wise blessed memory. He chose the path but also singing and rejoicing at the enough to choose the right path, the of Torah and raised his son to love prospect of giving up his life for the sanctified way in which Abraham Hashem, even ready to give up his sake of Hashem – we read, “Abra- educated Isaac. life for His sake. He was therefore ham shall rejoice.” He experienced From here we can understand the willing to joyfully surrender his life tremendous joy and said, “Fortunate story of Lot and his two daughters. am I to have merited such a son, and in the Akeidah. As the Beit Yosef The verse states, “They gave their this is my joy in life: To see my son writes, “Why do we say, ‘Isaac shall father wine to drink on that night” cleaving to Hashem and walking in rejoice’ during Mincha of Shabbat? (Bereshith 19:33), and Rashi cites His ways of Torah.” Thus it says in When Abraham said, ‘The lamb the Mechilta (Beshalach 2) in writ- the remainder of the prayer: “Jacob shall be for an offering, my son’ ing: “Wine was made available to and his sons shall them in the cave, in order for two rest in it.” That nations to emerge from them.” is, since Abra- ham and Isaac This is something that we need bequeathed to to understand. If they were helped Jacob and his by Heaven in this deed, insofar as a sons such an ex- miracle occurred and wine was made cellent way of available to them, then what accusa- serving Hash- tion can be made against Lot? Why em, performing did the Torah shame him, as we read His mitzvot out in regards to the verse: “Abraham of joy and being journeyed from there” (Bereshith prepared to give 20:1)? Here the Sages said, “He de- all they have parted because of the shame [of his for such a lofty family], since people would say, cause, includ- ‘Lot, Abraham’s nephew, has been ing their souls, intimate with his two daughters’ ” then certainly (Bereshith Rabba 52:4). Where is their path will Lot’s sin in this, since Heaven led always be one of him to commit this deed by provid- rest and peace. ing his daughters with wine? Despite all the I thought I would explain this, tribulations with G-d’s help, according to what that may befall we said above. That is, Hashem them, they will gives a person children, possessions, always be joy- wealth, and so on, and he can choose ful because they to direct them on the right path and are confident merit eternal life. Conversely, he can that everything direct them on the wrong path and comes from end up in the abyss. Since Hashem Hashem. What- made wine available to Lot in the ever they have cave, the purpose was certainly for 53 Lot to drink a little and rid himself each of his deeds, for sometimes a A person may sit and learn Torah, of the tremendous sorrow and grief person undertakes an action with the but he also has to examine his deeds that had grown in his heart after purest of intentions, for the sake of to see if perhaps his choices have such a difficult time. After all, his Heaven, but later forgets his prima- changed a little, even while he is wife had died (“she became a pillar ry objective and focuses on personal learning. As our Sages have said, “If of salt” [Bereshith 19:26]), and he honor and desire. Hence a person a man sees that hardships come upon lost all his possessions and property must always be careful and direct his him, let him examine his conduct. with the destruction of Sodom, leav- deeds towards sanctity, for the cor- … If he examines and finds nothing, ing him widowed, poor, and home- rect purpose, and be wise enough to let him attribute it to neglect in the less. Lot and his two daughters were make the right choice and distance study of Torah” (Berachot 5a). now alone, confined to a dark cave. himself from evil. We need to understand this: If Hashem had mercy on Lot and want- Regarding the Internet, which a person has sinned by not learn- ed to revive his spirits, and therefore exists in our generation, if people ing Torah, how could it be that he He provided him with some wine. would be wise enough to make the examined his conduct but did not He could therefore drink it and re- right choices, there would be no end find anything wrong? It must be joice, as the verse states: “Wine that to the benefits arising from this tool, that he did not properly examine gladdens a man’s heart” (Tehillim for it can be used to learn the holy his conduct. However this relates to 104:15). It was now in Lot’s hand Torah and other beneficial purposes. a ben Torah, one whose profession to make the right choice, to use the Yet to our great dismay, people have is learning Torah. He invests his wine in a beneficial way, to drink a chosen to use the Internet for abhor- time and energy in the holy Torah, little and alleviate his sorrows. Yet in rent and terrible sins, turning it into trying not to waste his time on use- his foolishness, Lot made the wrong a vile and repulsive tool. They have less matters. Therefore he initially choice, using the wine for indecent chosen to use it in an indecent way, examined his conduct and found purposes: He got drunk and sinned negating all the good in it. Great re- no problems in his Torah learning, with his two daughters, choosing to sponsibility rests on whomever has meaning no sin in that regard. Upon live a reckless life. this tool in his home, for a grave not finding anything, our Sages tell In Gematria, “Lot” and “Adam” spiritual danger lies at his door. He him to attribute his hardships to ne- have the same numerical value. must carefully ensure that his family glect in the study of Torah. This is because, despite learning Torah for It was in Lot’s power to make the members don’t fall into the trap of a living, there may be a slight de- right choice and be an “Adam,” but the evil inclination by using this tool ficiency in his learning. Perhaps he instead he stubbornly chose to act improperly. Happy is the person who does not study in sufficient depth, like an animal. Our Sages have said keeps it out of his home entirely. that his daughters intended to act or without the proper concentration, properly. In fact their deed was ini- I was once staying in somebody’s or he sometimes stops to deal with tially done for the sake of Heaven, home and given a private room to personal issues. Therefore even bnei as the verse states: “Our father is old sleep in, when suddenly I discov- Torah should be careful to make the and there is no man in the land to ered a television in a corner of the right choices in every area of their marry us in the usual manner” (Be- room. When I asked the owner of lives. the house to take it out, he said to reshith 19:31). Here the Midrash Just as Hashem has chosen us me: “Kavod HaRav, the television is states that they thought the whole from among the nations and given world had been destroyed, as in the turned off and it’s not even plugged us His Torah, may it be His will for generation of the flood, and they in.” I replied, “I’m not prepared to us to choose His holy Torah, which wanted to have offspring (Bereshith stay in a room while this impure is a way of life, and not to stray from Rabba 51:8). Yet in the end, they device is in it. It’s an issur yichud, it either to the left or the right. Amen chose an evil path, and their inten- and even when it’s turned off it can and amen. tions were also abhorrent. Thus one exert a bad influence, G-d forbid.” A daughter had the audacity of calling person must be very careful to stay her son “Moav,” making it public away from impurity, as if running knowledge that she became preg- from a burning building. nant through her father. From here Bnei Torah need to be extra cau- we learn that everyone must weigh tious in making the right choices. 54 With Rabbi Moshe Soloveitchik Zatsal

With the Gaon Rav Powersky Rosh Yeshivat Ponevitz

With the Gaon Rav Barukh Salomon Zatsal

With the Gaon Rav Powersky Rosh Yeshivat Ponevitz

55 With the Gaon Rav Itzhak Ezrahi Rosh Yeshivat Mir Dansing with Bob Dylan (Los Angeles)

With the Gaon Rav Mikhal Lefkovitch

With the Gaon Rav Haykin Zatsal

With the Gaon Rav Benyamin Zeev Kaufman

With the Admur of Dushensky Zatsal

With Rav Kadouri Zatsal 56

On the Grave de Rabbi Chaim Pinto en 1988