Free to Do Mitzvot
On a visit to Mexico, my companions and I arranged a Shabbat of inspiration for the local Jews. Bisiyata di’Shemaya, we merited a most uplifting Shabbat experience. During the course of the day, when I noticed that the people were especially joyous and their hearts open to inspiration, I removed a package containing pairs of tzitzit and announced, “Whoever wears this will be blessed with success.”
- A speech delivered in the Beit Hakeneset Sha’ar HaShamayim, Mexico
In truth, from among all of the people present, I expected only one or two to take me up on my offer. How pleasantly surprised I was to find a multitude converging upon me, asking for the merit of wearing the four-cornered garment.
All of the tzitzit disappeared within moments. I blessed the holy congregation that Hashem should fulfill their heart’s desires in the merit of this mitzvah.
A number of days later, R’ Chaim Kurson, shlita, phoned me up and told me enthusiastically, “Honored Rav, I experienced a miracle in the merit of the tzitzit which you distributed in Mexico.” This was his story:
The wife of a good friend of mine is behind bars for tax evasion. She anticipates a long prison sentence on account of various charges. I suggested to my friend that he undertake the mitzvah of wearing tzitzit. The merit of this mitzvah might gain his wife’s release. I even offered him a pair of tzitzit which the Rav had distributed then.
At first, my friend flatly refused to wear them. But I wouldn’t take no for an answer. I insisted he wear them, telling him that these garments were blessed by the Rav, and his blessing is always effective. Finally, my friend was convinced. He put forth a prayer that in the merit of accepting this mitzvah upon himself, Hashem would free his wife from prison. And then the unbelievable occurred.
His wife’s lawyer suddenly called up. He stated that the judge wanted to acquit this man’s wife immediately. The lawyer could not understand this at all, but had been given the message that the woman was free in spite of the long list of accusations against her.
My friend’s family were joyful at this wonderful news. They thanked Hashem wholeheartedly for this astonishing turn of events.
I have no doubt that it was the merit of the mitzvah of tzitzit that was responsible for the release of this man’s wife. From the moment he undertook to wear tzitzit, Hashem granted his wife salvation.
