Fighting the Forces of Evil
For many years, the home of Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a, in Essaouira, Morocco, was in dire need of renovations. It was old and crumbling. Finally, in the year 2008, extensive renovations were made, at the cost of close to 150,000 dollars. Since everything was finished by Elul, it was decided to conduct the hilula on the 26th of Elul in that house, thereby combining it with a chanukat habayit.
After flights and hotel accommodations had been arranged for the guests, at astronomical costs, I began to be riddled with doubt regarding the success of our mission. At that time, relations between Arabs and Jews in Israel were hostile. The friction overflowed into other countries, expressing itself in anti-Semitism in general, especially in Middle Eastern countries.
I placed numerous calls to my acquaintances in Morocco, inquiring into the general atmosphere there. They assured me that, Baruch Hashem, things were quiet, and I could be at ease.
But ease was the farthest thing from my mind. I continued to worry. Was it wise to bring close to one thousand Jews to this city, or would it pose certain danger to life?
My Moroccan friends calmed my nerves, averring that there really was nothing to fear.
The date of the hilula was drawing near. Very few people called to make hotel reservations in Morocco. We took this to mean that this year the hilula would be somewhat more modest than in the past.
With concern, we observed the world security situation. Animosity toward the Jews only increased with time. I myself, as well as the organizers, began to have second thoughts whether we should bother attending the hilula. Maybe we should just cancel the whole thing.
But Hashem’s deliverance comes in the blink of an eye. One week before the hilula, the office phones began ringing off their hooks. Numerous calls were placed to make reservations for hotel stays. Eventually, the hotels were filled to capacity with visitors from abroad.
The governor of Essaouira himself, may Hashem grant him long life, participated in the chanukat habayit, held on the day of the hilula. Many other officials honored the event with their presence.
Even the king of Morocco, Muhammad VI, may Hashem protect him and his family and give him long years, helped us tremendously by granting us authorization for various projects, and his influence opened many doors for us.
The streets were filled with hundreds of soldiers, sent to keep the peace. We would be able to celebrate without fear of the gentiles, fulfilling the pasuk in Megillat Esther (8:16), “The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honor.”
Rabbi Chaim Pinto’s hilula, as stated, falls on the 26th of Elul, a few days before Rosh Hashanah. These are days when we are especially in need of faithful advocates on High to speak in our defense and enable us to emerge innocent in judgment. Prayers and supplications were heard throughout the streets, and a shofar was sounded, its blasts heard from afar.
Even the gentile citizens of Morocco joined the hilula, requesting blessings for their personal needs. They had faith in Hashem and in their prayers to Him. This was a source of tremendous kiddush Hashem, as the pasuk states (Devarim 28:10), “Then all the peoples of the earth will see that the Name of Hashem is called upon you, and they will fear you.”
At the festive meal, during a moment of spiritual elevation, R’ David Loeb, z”l, a precious Jew who was a local resident, stood up. He told the following narrative:
“Three weeks ago, I told my wife that I thought the hilula would be cancelled this year, due to the security situation in the Holy Land. But my wife did not agree. With her unflagging faith, she affirmed that Hashem was the One Who would decide whether or not the hilula would occur.
“That night, I had a dream. I saw the hilula festivities and the chanukat habayit being prepared in the home of the tzaddik, Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a. The tzaddikim, Rabbi Chaim Pinto and Rabbi Moshe Aharon Pinto, zy”a, together with Rabbi David Pinto, and his esteemed son, Rabbi Refael Pinto, may they live long, were all in attendance.
“I suddenly noticed that the entranceway to the house did not have a mezuzah. I asked everyone about this, and they replied that Rabbi David, the grandson, would come with his son to affix the mezuzah.
“The next morning, I told over my dream to my wife. She stated that this must be a Divine sign that the hilula would take place as arranged, and Moreinu, Rabbi David Pinto, shlita, would put up the mezuzah. This is exactly what transpired.”
- Mr. David Loeb, a”h
I was very moved by this account. We had originally thought that my son, Rabbi Refael would not be able to attend the hilula, but Heaven had other plans. He was an integral part of the hilula, as well as the mezuzah-affixing ceremony. R’ Loyb’s dream came true in every detail.
On Motza’ei Shabbat, when we visited the grave of my grandfather, the tzaddik, we met people who had pictures which they had taken two days earlier, at the hilula and chanukat habayit. To our surprise and astonishment, the form of the tzaddik, Rabbi Chaim Pinto, formed a backdrop to each picture.
An Israeli scientist, who is also a photographer, said that this was most unusual. He had never seen pictures taken with an ordinary camera that display an image like this in the background. All were taken aback at the pictures.
