SThe following touching letter arrived at our office in Tishrei 2011, about one week after the incident described:
To Moreinu v’Rabbeinu, Hagaon Hatzaddik, shlita, peace unto you!
Baruch Hashem, I am filled with thanks to Hashem, Who has done and continues to do miracles for me. The statement “Hashem’s salvation is in the blink of an eye” has proven itself true in my case.
On Erev Rosh Hashanah, I was released from prison in a most miraculous manner. With utmost praise and gratitude to Hashem, my wife gave birth to a baby boy on Sunday (the 3rd of Tishrei). I tangibly felt the merit of the Pinto dynasty and the merit of the blessings and prayers of Rabbi Pinto stand by my side, each and every moment.
I am extremely grateful to the Rav, shlita, and feel great love toward him. I would like to publicize the miracle that happened to me among our young brethren who have somewhat forsaken the path of their fathers. I decided to conduct a seudat hodayah at the tomb of the holy tzaddik, noteworthy for performing miracles, Rabbi Moshe Aharon Pinto, zy”a.
I have no idea what the Rav’s plans are at the moment. But I would be delighted if he would agree to be the sandek at my son’s brit, B’ezrat Hashem. The joy will be multiplied since I have decided to call this child after the Rav’s saintly father.
Now let me share with you an incident that happened when I was incarcerated at the military prison. On Sunday, the 26th of Elul, the day of Rabbi Chaim Pinto’s hilula, I pledged that all my mitzvot of that day would be for the honor of the tzaddik. Precisely on that day, I was overcome with terrible headaches. I spent most of the morning in bed. Suddenly, I had the opportunity to help an unaffiliated Jew lay tefillin. I jumped out of bed, headache and all, and did the mitzvah that had come my way. After that, I was like a man obsessed. I recruited more and more fellow inmates, encouraging each one to lay tefillin.
One man asked that the tefillin should be a merit for a young girl who suffered from terrible stomach aches and dizzy spells. She was on the way to being hospitalized. I told the man to pray hard, and in the merit of Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a, the girl would get well without hospitalization. After he finished, I instructed him to be careful with netilat yadayim and after he found out the wellbeing of the young girl, he should let me know how she was.
Meanwhile, I approached another Jew and gently asked if he would put on tefillin for a few moments. But he refused, claiming that he did not believe in G-d, rachmana litzlan. I patiently began explaining Torah and religion. But he was determined not to go near anything Jewish. He stated that he ate forbidden foods and chametz on Pesach. He even ate on Yom Kippur. But I would not yield. I pleaded with him for a long time. I have no idea why, but I firmly believed that in the merit of Rabbi Chaim Pinto, I would have my way. Eventually, the man gave up the battle and said he would wear tefillin just to get me off his back. I was ebullient, knowing that through doing something for an ulterior motive, a person eventually does it for the sake of Heaven.
As soon as this fellow put on the tefillin of the arm, he began trembling violently. He averred that he would not recite any prayer. I asked him to just say the blessing of tefillin, which he agreed to do. When he put on the tefillin of the head, he was in an emotional state, and with mixed feelings, said that he would investigate what Judaism has to offer. I asked him to say, “Shema Yisrael, Hashem Elokeinu, Hashem Echad,” and then I would directly remove the tefillin. He did as I said and was completely enveloped in excitement. I told him I was handing him a note. Whenever he needed something from Hashem, or found himself in trouble, he should open the note and read it. It would provide salvation.
Finally, the man opened his heart to me. He told me about various problems in his family. I told him to undertake the mitzvah of tefillin for two weeks and he would be delivered of his duress. He complied. I based my words on the merit of the holy tzaddik, Rabbi Moshe Aharon Pinto, zy”a.
That evening, I again met the young man who had prayed for the suffering girl. He related that, Baruch Hashem, she felt much better and did not need to be hospitalized. I brought him over to the nonbeliever and retold the story. The man was very touched and promised to come again the next day to lay tefillin. Baruch Hashem, he kept his word. His acquaintances told me that a transformation took place in his heart. He was never at peace, constantly asking questions in Torah and seeking ways to strengthen his faith in Hashem.
The following Tuesday, I was finished with my court sentence. Baruch Hashem, everything came out okay. My sentence was shortened to only thirty-six days, instead of the original ten months. Before I returned home, the nonbeliever said that he would continue wearing tefillin and would I please teach him how to pray?
Baruch Hashem, I merited seeing the great power of a seemingly small mitzvah, such as wearing tefillin. I also saw the power of the holiness of the tzaddikim, which can affect even those farthest away, who profess that they do not believe.
I would like to prepare a seudat hodayah in the honor of the tzaddik, Rabbi Moshe Aharon Pinto, zy”a. Who knows how many others will be influenced to do teshuvah, especially during these auspicious days?
With thanksgiving and praise to Hashem in great joy, praying for my complete return,
I remain,
Ayal Sitruk, Ashdod
Yesterday, the Tzadik Rabbi David Pinto shlitah gave a shiur in the city of Modiin, in the presence of the city's Rabbi, Harav Eliyahou Amar shlita , to strengthen people in Torah, Emunah, and Yirat Shamayim.
Shiur link in Hebrew :
Some photos of the shiur :
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