Gentiles vs. Gentility
Gentiles vs. Gentility As I was traveling once by train, I noticed that the gentiles seated near me were staring at my strange demeanor. I sat quietly, immersed in writing my Torah thoughts, sporting a long beard and kippah which they found cause for ridicule. In contrast, they behaved no different from the animals of […]
Secure in Mitzvot
Secure in Mitzvot I once attended a hachnasat Sefer Torah in a large hotel in Israel. Important dignitaries were in attendance, such as the president, Moshe Katzav, as well as Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon. Members of the Knesset participated, as well. We had to undergo security check-in as we entered the hotel lobby. Everyone who […]
Yisrael and the Nations
“See, I have taught you decrees and ordinances, as Hashem, my G-d, has commanded me, to do so in the midst of the Land to which you come, to possess it. You shall safeguard and perform them, for it is your wisdom and discernment in the eyes of the peoples, who shall hear all these […]
Extremely Agitated
Extremely Agitated In my teenage years, my parents lived in Eretz Yisrael. I would often travel there to visit them, and then return to the yeshiva in France. I was once scheduled to return precisely on the day of the hilula of my grandfather, Rabbi Chaim Pinto Hakatan, zy”a, the 15th of Cheshvan. Father suggested […]
On the Road toward Fear of Heaven
On the Road toward Fear of Heaven As I was driving with my escort, we were suddenly pulled over by the cops. I realized that I wasn’t wearing a seat belt, so I hurried to fasten it. But the seat belt was stuck, and I couldn’t get in on. One of the officers noticed my […]
Respect for the Law
Respect for the Law A lawyer told me that he was in the middle of a hearing when his cell phone rang. Out of habit, he took the call. Immediately, the judge stated that he was fined five thousand shekel, as answering a phone call in a court of law is considered contempt of court. […]
Singing to a Different Tune
Singing to a Different Tune As I entered the Beit Hamidrash one day, my ears were assailed by an inappropriate tune. Since I was covered with a tallit, the man humming the tune did not notice me immediately. As I turned my head toward him, he took note of my presence and fell silent. He […]
In Awe and Fear
In Awe and Fear During a hilula ceremony on the 26th of Elul, at the gravesite of the tzaddik, Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a, in Morocco, we ascended to the grave at midnight in order to recite the Selichot prayers there. There was a tremendous awakening among the throngs who had come to participate, and Selichot […]
Covered with Yirat Shamayim
Covered with Yirat Shamayim I once delivered a sermon to Jews who are distant from Torah observance. They did not cover their heads, observe mitzvot, or study Torah. But, unfortunately, there was one thing that they did persist in doing: studying Kabbalah. One who is unobservant, yet involves himself in the secrets of the Torah […]
Shaken Up
Shaken Up I once found myself flying with a group of unruly youth, who acted disgracefully. It was hard for me to make peace with the fact that I was slated to spend the next eight hours in their company. But I also knew that my reproof would only fall on deaf ears. I was […]
Prohibiting the Permitted and Permitting the Prohibited
Prohibiting the Permitted and Permitting the Prohibited I once read an interesting article in a publication. The Supreme Court ruled that a judge and an attorney may not pray together in the same minyan. This might cause them to become close and lead to a perversion of justice. At first glance, this law seemed just. […]
His Perpetual Presence
His Perpetual Presence I have a neighbor in Lyon who is an unaffiliated Jew. He has made it a steady practice to do his weekly shopping on Shabbat. He knows that he is violating the Shabbat by his transgressions and therefore tries not to meet up with me on his return home. Every Shabbat morning, […]
