The Calming Effect of Kosher Food
As we flew to Morocco to celebrate the hilula of the tzaddik, Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a, we merited witnessing a tremendous kiddush Hashem on the plane. The day before our scheduled departure, I requested one of my escorts to buy some sandwiches, in case anyone of our party had forgotten to bring along food. Since the pre-ordered kosher meals do not always arrive, I asked that he purchase more sandwiches than necessary for anyone on the plane who wanted to eat kosher. This came in handy, for, as anticipated, the kosher meals were not served.
A couple with a baby was on our flight. From before boarding and through the entire trip, the baby did not stop crying. His devoted parents tried every trick in the book to get him to calm down. They offered him food, drink, games, and treats, but nothing helped.
Obviously, his crying disturbed the other passengers. But his parents could not quiet him. They were literally at their wits’ end. Finally, the chief flight attendant took the screaming child from his parents and placed him in my lap. “You are a holy man,” he began. “Please bless this child that he should stop crying.”
I was taken aback by his strange request. “Maybe my blessing will only increase his wailing?” I countered. Without much thought, I tore off a piece of my kosher bread and placed it in the child’s mouth. Lo and behold! He immediately calmed down. It suddenly dawned on me that this child might never have tasted kosher food before. His introduction to it was cause for contentment.
Those who were watching were awed by this turn of events. Many Middle Eastern travelers were impressed at the influence of kosher food upon a person. When I noticed what an impact this incident had on everyone, I turned to them and said, “Hashem has just demonstrated how kosher food brings peace upon a person.”
I reflected on the virtues of kashrut. When a person brings kosher food to his mouth, it purifies his entire system. He is then capable of doing mitzvot in a state of sanctity. But when one allows unkosher food to enter his system, his mitzvot are deficient.
Many people on the plane believed in the merit of tzaddikim but were remiss in kashrut. When they noted the calming effect of kosher food on this baby, they immediately resolved to eat strictly kosher.
This incident was cause for a kiddush Hashem, as everyone saw with their own two eyes the effect kosher food has on a person.
