An Avowed Believer
On the 10th of Adar, 1985, I had the merit of officiating as sandek in Paris, at the brit of the son of my devoted disciple, Rabbi David Cohen. The mohel, Dr. Attias, stood up and related the following tale:
Two weeks ago, my friend came to Rabbi David Pinto, shlita, to ask for a blessing. The line to the Rav’s office was very long and my friend had to wait literally for hours.
- Sandek at a brit
When he finally got in, he did not say a word before Rabbi David said to him, “If you want to have success in your endeavors, you must keep your promise to Hashem of reciting the parashah twice and then once with the Targum, each and every week.”
My friend left the room in a stupor. He hurried over to me and said, “Dr. Attias, only Hashem and I know about the promise I made regarding the review of the weekly parashah. I had said at the time that if Hashem helps me with my personal matters, I would begin reading the weekly parashah as our Sages have recommended. How in the world did the Rav know about this? Is he a mind reader?”
Hearing his tale, I remembered the exact details of the incident. But I know that I never did, and I never will, have ruach hakodesh. All I profess is having a strong desire to help my fellow Jew rectify his spiritual and physical worlds. Therefore, I have the merit of my ancestors beside me, inserting the right words into my mouth. This is how I know what to say to each Jew who comes my way, and have the insight to offer sound advice
