Struck Silent
A dear disciple of mine, named Pinchas, was in a tough situation. For a long time, a female co-worker demanded that he sin with her. She would not let up in her objective. His wife saw that he was dejected and encouraged him to share his problem with her. But he did not want to cause her pain by telling her about his disturbing encounters with this strange woman. He kept the matter to himself.
From time to time, he put forth a prayer that in the merit of the tzaddik, Rabbi Chaim Pinto, Hashem should save him from this woman. He had no interest whatsoever in sinning in this way.
He finally told his wife everything. He reported that this woman went so far as to threaten to slander him to the authorities, thereby blackening his good name. She said that she was giving him twenty-four hours to decide. If he would not agree to her exhortations, she threatened to fabricate a scandal against him.
When his wife heard his shocking tale, she asked, “Do you want to sin with her?”
The man was shaken by his wife’s words. “Of course not!” he said. “I do not want to have anything to do with her, certainly not to sin with her! But what should I do? If I don’t give in to her, she will tarnish my reputation with all sorts of defamations and vilifications.”
“If you are resolute in your decision not to sin with her, strengthen your faith and keep your distance from her. The merit of the tzaddik, Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a, will protect you from all harm. Trust in Hashem and do not fear.”
The next day, he got a call from this woman’s friend. She reported that the wicked woman had suddenly become paralyzed. She could not defame his name if she tried.
My disciple later related that when he was in the midst of his distress, he had frequently called out, “In the merit of Rabbi Chaim Pinto, in the merit of Rabbi Chaim Pinto.” He saw how the tzaddik came to his rescue, asking Hashem to render the woman unable to execute her evil designs.
