No Vacation from Public Responsibility
No Vacation from Public Responsibility During Bein Hazmanim, a Sanzer Chassid once approached me. He told me that he had repeatedly tried to reach me, but had been unsuccessful. I explained that I had taken a few days of vacation and had been out of town. The Chassid was astounded at my words. “Please forgive […]
Baker’s Choice
Baker’s Choice On my visit to Hong Kong, an elderly non-observant woman approached me with a strange request: “Rabbi, I want a blessing that I should die.” “A blessing that you should die?!” I asked, incredulously. “Dying before one’s time is not a blessing, but a curse. Why do you wish to incur a curse […]
No Break from Torah
No Break from Torah The word vacation did not exist in the home of Moreinu’s parents in Mogador, Morocco. People would often frequent that resort town for relaxation. But Rabbi David’s father, the holy Rabbi, Moshe Aharon Pinto, zy”a, never spoke about going on vacation. Only after thirty years, when the children were grown, did […]
Vacation
“Among the dead who are free; like the corpses lying in the grave, whom You no longer remember” (Tehillim 88:6) The Gemara (Niddah 61b) asks in the name of Rabbi Yochanan: What is meant by “the dead who are free”? After a person dies, he is free of mitzvot. “But those whose hope is in […]
A Gracious Blessing
A Gracious Blessing A pair of twin girls from Lyon asked for my blessing that they each find their marriage partner quickly. After coming to me a few times, they each found their zivug and married into the families of Saban and Deri. The joy at their weddings was palpable. But their joy was short-lived. […]
Miraculous Mitzvah Money
Miraculous Mitzvah Money A woman came to me, bewailing her plight of childlessness. She related the difficulties of her situation and the endless tests and treatments she had undergone, which were not proving productive. The couple’s pain was tremendous. Her husband found these circumstances terribly challenging and was extremely unhappy with his wife, whom the […]
Man’s Mission
Man’s Mission A woman came to me in a most distraught state. “Honored Rav,” she began, “My son is terribly ill. His days are numbered. Please bless him with a full recovery.” She continued, “This son was born in the merit of your holy father, the tzaddik, Rabbi Moshe Aharon Pinto, zy”a. After many long […]
Turning back to Tradition
Turning back to Tradition Mr. Gavriel Elbaz, the president of the Jewish community in Lyon, told me that he knew someone who had an extraordinary story to relate. Upon my inquiry, he told me the following: Many years ago, Mr. Arik Amsalem met the Rav in the resort city, Nice, which is located near Marseille. […]
Filled with Torah
Filled with Torah Every Shabbat, a prominent Rabbanit in chutz la’aretz delivered shiurim to the women. Although this Rabbanit had been married for over fifteen years, she did not have children. This distressed her greatly. She once came to me, and weeping pitifully, begged to be granted a child of her own. I took a […]
A Blessing in Purity
A Blessing in Purity The Rav was receiving people in a country abroad. He spent days in discussion with people from all strata of society. Finally, it was time to head homeward. He had to travel to the airport to make his flight, but there were still many people waiting for his blessing or sound […]
Like Mother, Like Daughter
Like Mother, Like Daughter Mr. Jackie Edery and his wife were married for many years before they merited having children. They underwent numerous tests and treatments until they were physically and emotionally drained. Their doctors finally informed them that they would never have children, for one of them was infertile. Despondent, Mr. Edery came to […]
A Suitable Blessing
A Suitable Blessing I have connections with a wealthy philanthropist in Argentina. Throughout the years, he has helped our institutions most generously. Even when the financial market was hit by a depression, and his situation was unstable, he opened his heart and his pocket and bought all of the furniture for the Beit Hakeneset Hagadol […]
