Comforting Thoughts
On a visit to Canada, my hosts prepared a comfortable, spacious room for me on the main floor of their home. There were a number of women, as well as couples, who shared this floor. I therefore requested a room in the basement instead. When my host heard my unusual request, he was stunned. “Honored Rav,” he implored, “how can I agree to such a request? It is not fitting for someone of your stature to sleep in the basement. Besides, it is dangerous to sleep there.”
I countered that it was many times more dangerous to sleep on a floor where inappropriate thoughts were liable to assault me. I insisted on moving to the basement. To my host’s credit, he did not refuse my request and did as I asked.
People often think that they can get a good night’s sleep only if they sleep in an airy room with a good mattress and fresh linens. But this is not the case. Only living by the tenets of Torah will afford a person a restful sleep.
Although the room in the basement was on a lower level of physical comfort, I slept very well. I was calmed by the knowledge that I was doing the right thing. Baruch Hashem, I was spared the Yetzer Hara of having inappropriate thoughts during sleep.
Suddenly, as I was sleeping, I felt my kippah falling from my head. I was alarmed and immediately woke up, intending to pick up my kippah from the floor. But then I felt an invisible hand lift my kippah and place it on my head. I know that people will be skeptical at hearing this narrative. They might think I dreamed the whole thing. But I can vouch that this account is 100% true.
- With his devoted attendant, Rabbi Moshe Mirali
When I related it to my son, Rabbi Refael and my escort, R’ Moshe Mirali, they asked if I wasn’t afraid about this incident. I replied no. It was not an act of the kelippah. The hand that returned my kippah to my head wanted to protect me, not cause me to sin.
I believe that the incident with the kippah was a clear indication from Hashem that He was pleased with my decision to change rooms, as I was more concerned with my spiritual repose than with any physical comfort.
