Detained for a Blessing
A tremendous crisis hit a family of the Jewish community in Strasbourg, France. Their son was diagnosed with a dreaded disease, and the doctors despaired of his recovery.
The despondent family and friends ascended to the grave of the tzaddik, Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a, in Morocco, and prayed there from the depths of their hearts, for the recovery of this sick boy. Afterward, R’ Mordechai Knafo, who always hosts me on my trips to Morocco, turned to the boy’s father and said, “Rabbi David Pinto, shlita, grandson of Rabbi Chaim, is at present in the airport in Morocco. It would be worth your while to go there and ask for his blessing in the merit of his ancestors. Take with you a bottle of water for the Rav to bless. B’ezrat Hashem, you will yet see salvation.”
The boy’s father, a simple man with simple faith in the power of the tzaddikim, hurried to the airport. He offered a silent prayer that the flight should be delayed so that he could meet me and receive my blessing. He finally arrived very close to departure time. All of the passengers, myself included, were already seated on the plane.
When the man saw that he had missed the boat, he refused to surrender the golden opportunity only steps away. He begged the airline crew to allow him to enter the plane for a few moments, only to receive a blessing on behalf of his sick son.
B’chasdei Shamayim, he managed to arouse the pity of the airplane personnel, and they let him get on. They even delayed the plane for a few minutes so that he could receive my blessing for a complete recovery.
I blessed him wholeheartedly that his son should recover in the merit of my holy ancestors. With Hashem’s mercy, his son was completely cured. He has merited marrying and has three children, may their numbers increase.
There is no doubt that this man’s simple faith in Hashem’s power to heal his son and his trust in the power of the tzaddikim to arouse Heavenly mercy are what allowed him to enter the plane and delay the flight on behalf of his ill son.
