Unearthing Her Intended, Down Under
Unearthing Her Intended, Down Under I was once receiving people in Marseille, at the home of Mr. Tzion Marciano, may he live long. In the evening, I was asked to speak at the Beit Hakeneset nearby. After this speech, I was extremely exhausted from my grueling schedule. But I overcame my weariness and continued seeing […]
A Shidduch within a Year
A Shidduch within a Year At a hilula for Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a, a man proclaimed, “If my daughter has not found her zivug within the next year, I will not continue visiting the grave of the tzaddik on his hilula.” He was certain, that just as he was sure he would continue visiting the […]
Decisiveness Undermines Indecision
Decisiveness Undermines Indecision A young man merited becoming engaged to a fine, Jewish girl. But after the engagement, doubts began to creep into his mind. Maybe this was not his Heavenly-intended? Maybe he acted too hastily and the whole thing was one big mistake? His hesitations ate away at him, until he could not go […]
Marrying In
Marrying In When I was visiting Strasbourg, France, a Jew came to the Beit Hakeneset to receive my blessing. When I discovered that he lived with a gentile woman, I asked, “How do you have the audacity to ask for a berachah when you live with a gentile woman, rachmana litzlan? How in the world […]
When the Time Is Right
When the Time Is Right A chatan and kallah from New York asked that I bless them for a good marriage, in the merit of my holy fathers. This young woman had approached me seven years earlier for an appropriate match, but had only recently found her intended. Curiously, I asked how she ended up […]
Moving Closer to the Light
Moving Closer to the Light One year, Mr. Tourgeman of Belgium spent the festival of Shavuot in France. Together with a friend, he came to visit me. As I escorted them out, I spoke with the second man. Mr. Tourgeman found himself standing on the sidelines, wondering when he would get a turn to speak […]
Ingratitude of the First Degree
Ingratitude of the First Degree A non-orthodox young Jewish man spent long years seeking his life partner. But he never met with success. Every week, he would come to me, asking for my blessing. But it seemed as if a power of negativity surrounded him, repelling all young women from wishing to marry him, in […]
An Enlightening Encounter
An Enlightening Encounter One day of Chanukah, a young woman approached me and asked that I bless her to become engaged to a specific young man. I asked for both their names and gave her a warm blessing that my fathers’ merits should bring them together, to build a true Torah home. But the girl […]
The Game of Life
The Game of Life A young girl once came to see me. She had reached marriageable age and was wavering between marriage to a ben Torah who would spend the rest of his days in the Beit Hamidrash, or to someone who would eventually enter the business world. Since this is such a fateful decision, […]
Good News from Ill Tidings
Good News from Ill Tidings Dorit Malka, of Morocco, could not find her intended match for many years. Since she had steadfast faith in the tzaddikim, and especially the tzaddik, Rabbi Chaim Pinto, she would approach me every so often, asking that I bless her in the merit of my holy fathers, zy”a, that she […]
Tearing Apart Harsh Decrees
Tearing Apart Harsh Decrees When I was in Antwerp, a man came to me, weeping copiously as he told me the story of his daughter, who was growing older with no prospect of marriage in sight. As I observed the man’s bitter tears, I keenly felt that his broken heart could accomplish much on High […]
Believing in a Better Tomorrow
Believing in a Better Tomorrow I once delivered a shiur in the Beit Hakeneset Hagadol, in Vincennes, Paris. Afterward, an elderly woman approached me. She claimed that she must speak to me on the spot, for she did not have the strength to return when I normally accepted audiences. Many people were standing around, so […]
