A Chassidic Tale
A Chassidic Tale When I was receiving the public in Yerushalayim, a Chassid of Sanz asked that I pray for his grandson, who was in critical condition. When he told me the boy’s story, I said, “I see the sanctity of Shabbat hovering over this child. In the merit of Shabbat, he will recover.” I […]
In High Spirits
In High Spirits Shabbat was granted to us as a gift of pleasure and repose. We were even commanded to “proclaim the Shabbat a delight” (Yeshayahu 58:13). But we must beware of potential pitfalls. We should not sink into materialistic pleasures, like the man who hosted me one Shabbat. This man wanted to please his […]
The Long Ride Home
The Long Ride Home One Friday evening, I hosted a number of unaffiliated Jews at my Shabbat table. Although they were nonobservant, they did have an awareness of a Creator. These people had never before seen how a Shabbat meal can be both physically and spiritually satisfying. After Birkat Hamazon, they found it difficult to […]
Seeing the Beauty of Shabbat
Seeing the Beauty of Shabbat When I was in Mexico, Mr. Elie Kadi was my translator from the spoken Spanish to lashon hakodesh. This way, I was able to communicate with the people and help them out. A blind woman came with her mother and asked that I bless her with a complete recovery in […]
One Who Protects Shabbat Is Protected by Shabbat
One Who Protects Shabbat Is Protected by Shabbat A woman once asked me to bless her in the merit of my ancestors, zy”a. For some unknown reason, I asked her how her mother was faring. She was surprised at this question and wanted to know why I was asking. “I myself do not know,” I […]
Unresponsive to the Deafening Call
Unresponsive to the Deafening Call I once gave a sermon regarding the significance and singularity of Shabbat. I quoted various sources to support my words and developed the subject from different angles. I spoke about the holiness of Shabbat and the benefits of studying Torah on this day. Throughout the course of my speech, one […]
Watching the Honor of Shabbat
Watching the Honor of Shabbat A man once came to me with acrimony in his voice. “Honored Rav,” he asked, “why do I never see blessing in my work? Why do I never succeed, no matter what I do?” “Do you observe Shabbat?” I asked. “Definitely!” he replied. “Do you watch television on Shabbat?” I […]
Keeping Score with Shabbat
Keeping Score with Shabbat A star soccer player in France gained acclaim as a champion whose team never loses. One of the competing teams wanted to win him over to their side and invested tons of money into this undertaking. The man switched to the other team, but lo and behold! In spite of his […]
A Day of Reprieve from Worry and Grief
A Day of Reprieve from Worry and Grief One Friday, I was very concerned about a certain problem. I walked around the house like a caged animal, finding no peace from worry. “Father, what are you so worried about?” my daughter asked, seeing distress written on my face. “Today is Erev Shabbat.” She pointed out […]
The Magnetic Force of Shabbat
The Magnetic Force of Shabbat A disciple whom I merited to bring to teshuvah became engaged, but his fiancée was on a much lower level of mitzvah observance than he was. I remarked to him that I did not think they were suitable for each other. His fiancée was not observant and seemingly lacked yirat […]
A Flood of Prayers
A Flood of Prayers I was once in Venezuela for a few days in order to bring chizuk to the Jewish community there and bring them back to their Father in Heaven. I was scheduled to fly back to France on a Wednesday. Since the flight is extremely long, I expected to land Thursday night. […]
Shabbat
“G-d blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because on it He rested from all His work which G-d created to do” (Bereishit 2:3) “Between Me and the Children of Israel it is a sign forever that in six days Hashem made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed” […]
