Bound to Hashem with Gratitude
A Torah-observant couple asked for my blessing for children. They had remained barren for many long years and wished to cuddle a child. I blessed them warmly, and they turned to go. A moment before the door closed behind them, they mentioned that they had brought another couple with them, also waiting to hold a child of their own.
This second couple was not Torah-observant. They didn’t even believe in Hashem. The only reason they agreed to receive my blessing was due to their observant friends, who convinced them that even if my blessing didn’t work, it surely wouldn’t do any harm. I blessed them wholeheartedly, too, and they went on their way.
After a year, the first couple came to me with the good news that they had merited a child, Baruch Hashem. Some time later, the second couple came, as well, to report their salvation. Very soon, they were expecting to hold a child of their own.
Upon hearing this, I turned to the husband. “Do you wear tefillin every day?” I asked.
“I am Jewish, but I do not believe in G-d,” he replied.
“So why did you come to me?” I continued.
“Initially, we came to you because our religious friends convinced us to come. Now we came to express our appreciation for the Rabbi’s blessing.”
“Do you really think it is I who deserves the thanks? You must thank the Creator, Who holds the key of life. He is the one Who granted me the power to bless you. If you sincerely wish to express gratitude, you must show it to Him. How? By donning tefillin every day. This will be your way of saying thank you to Hashem for the great benefit He is bestowing on you.”
The man’s heart was opened, and he was willing to change. He acceded to my request and promised to wear tefillin every day.
