In Good Faith
A completely irreligious Jew once approached me and related his problem. Afterward, he asked for my blessing. “Resolve to begin wearing tefillin, to observe Shabbat and taharat hamishpachah, and I promise you deliverance,” was my answer.
The man, who found this difficult to accept, tried to wheedle his way out. “For such a simple problem, you are asking me to pay too steep a price,” he stated.
“If you want to be rescued, these are my terms. You are required to uphold Hashem’s mitzvot.”
On the spot, he had a complete change of heart. He accepted the yoke of Hashem’s Kingship upon himself. He decided that he would keep the mitzvot. From where did this man draw his determination to make a 180-degree turnabout?
It was undoubtedly due to the strong roots which are implanted in Am Yisrael from their beginning. These are the roots of solid faith in Hashem, which have become deeper and stronger over the years of our challenge-riddled history. These roots have the power to bring back the most recalcitrant of souls. They are what brought this man back to his Father.
