A Productive Visit
I once accompanied my father, zy”a, on a trip to Morocco, where we stayed at the home of R’ Knafo. During that time, a prominent female figure of the royal house of Morocco paid a clandestine visit to my father. She wished to be blessed with children, for she had already been married ten years but remained barren. She added that if she would not produce a son, her husband would divorce her, or take other wives. Moroccan law allows a man to have several wives.
Upon hearing her words, Father asked, “Do you believe in a Creator?” She replied in the affirmative. Then he asked if she was prepared to do whatever he asked. She agreed. Father then turned to his host and asked him to bring him the glass which contained oil for lighting a wick in memory of the tzaddik, Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a. The host did as he was asked, bringing a glass blackened by burned oil. Father instructed the woman to drink the remains of the glass.
At first, the woman was nauseated just by the thought of drinking such dregs. She looked at us questioningly, as if to ask if Father was serious. But I convinced her, saying that if she wanted Father’s blessing to have effect, she must do as she was told. It was an auspicious time to pray for a child at that moment, so it was in her best interest to follow orders.
The woman was convinced. With utter faith in the words of the tzaddikim, she took the glass and drained its contents. Father then blessed her, “With the help of Hashem, in the merit of my fathers, in one year’s time, you will hold a son. You will have three children altogether, and your husband will be very satisfied with you.” She was clearly moved by this blessing and left with a feeling of security and joy. After our visit in Morocco, Father returned home to Eretz Yisrael, and I returned to the yeshiva in France.
A year passed. One day, I felt a strong urge to pray at the graves of my holy ancestors in Morocco. I purchased a ticket and flew to Morocco. When I arrived there, I decided to surprise Rav Knafo with a visit. As I reached his home, he was on his way out. He nearly fainted in shock when he saw me. He explained that just now he was on his way to offer his good wishes to the royal family who had received my father’s blessing. They had, indeed, merited having a son. Rav Knafo added that although the Arabs also circumcise their sons, he did not intend to participate at that ceremony, chas v’shalom. He was just going over with a few other men to offer his congratulations. He invited me to join him.
Of course, I agreed to join. Together, we witnessed the miracle which Hashem had performed in Father’s merit. When we got there, the husband told me, “You must know that this boy was born in your merit. I had already decided to divorce my wife after so many years of childlessness. Please ask the tzaddik to fulfill the rest of the blessing, that we should merit more children.”
The woman bore another two children, just as Father had predicted.
Tzaddikim crown Hashem as King in all their acts. Therefore, Hashem allows them the power to change the course of nature.
