Keep Your Word
I was receiving people at the Zer home in Bnei Brak. From the morning hours, the masses were swarming to the house. People were asked to shorten their visits as much as possible, so that everyone else in line could have their turn. But an elderly couple insisted on a long time slot in order to explain their problem. They sincerely hoped I could help, but they needed a while to themselves. They were therefore told that the morning hours were very full, and it would be better for them to come in the evening, when I could offer them more time.
The couple accepted this arrangement. They waited outside my room the entire day. When they finally found themselves seated before me, they poured forth their awful story. These people had a large extended family. For the past few weeks, several family members had died in most tragic circumstances, rachmana litzlan. They had no clue as to the source of this terrible decree. They had already turned to rabbanim and Kabbalists to ask their advice. But no one could pinpoint the root of the problem with certainty.
The preceding Shabbat, a deceased relative appeared before one of them. He said, “This coming Sunday, Rabbi David Pinto, shlita, will be receiving people in Bnei Brak. Go to him, for he has the answer to your problem.” They wanted to hear my thoughts on the matter.
I was extremely shaken by their dreadful narrative. I sat sunk in thought for some time. Finally, I asked the husband, “Did you ever promise Hashem that you would set aside two hours each day for Torah study?”
The shocked man affirmed my statement.
“And do you keep your word?” I pressed on.
At this query, the man’s face fell. He explained that since he was so busy with work, he had no free time for Torah study.
“You say that your business takes up all of your time,” I nearly shouted. “But you vowed to consecrate two hours of your day for Torah study. There is no way to annul your vow. You are required to maintain your resolution at all costs.” Then my tone softened. “B’ezrat Hashem,” I continued, “if you will keep your promise in spite of any difficulty involved, Hashem will have mercy on you and annul this harsh decree on your family.”
From then on the man maintained his two-hour-a-day study schedule. And the evil decree was rescinded.
I myself do not know what made me ask if he had promised to study Torah for two hours a day. It was certainly an act of G-d, to allow me to help this pitiful couple find a solution to their problem. They were granted this solution in the merit of waiting an entire day to hear the Torah’s opinion of their situation.
- The Rav offers his sefer Pachad David to the Rosh Yeshiva of Ponevezh, HaGaon Rabbi Gershon Edelstein, shlita
