Standing up to Adversity
Mrs. Maguy (Moyal) Lebée, may she live long, is related to my grandfather, the tzaddik, Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a, through her mother. She is a distinguished person, who devotes her time for the benefit of Klal Yisrael in the capacity of running the institutions in memory of the tzaddik in Montreal.
When I was receiving people in Montreal, a member of the community asked Mrs. Moyal to arrange a meeting with me. She had a son who was paralyzed and wanted me to bless him. Together with her request, she offered a sum of money for our institutions. She also said that after meeting with me, she would participate in the hilula of the tzaddik, Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a, and donate another respectable sum of money.
On that particular day, I was scheduled to leave Montreal and was extremely exhausted. I curtailed my meetings for the day. The woman was told that I was unable to meet with her. She was very angry and told Mrs. Moyal that in that case, she wanted back her donation. Mrs. Moyal returned her money to her. Nevertheless, she instructed her to fax me a letter with her request for a blessing for her child. She added that, B’ezrat Hashem, she would yet see salvation.
At first, the woman refused to take her advice. She did not think the blessing could take effect in that manner. But after much convincing, she agreed and hurried to write the letter. When it reached me, I blessed the boy with a complete recovery. My secretary added that she would merit seeing miracles. Moreover, he promised that when I would once again visit Canada, I would meet with her and her completely healed son. He also added his apologies that I had not met with her in person. When the woman received my response, she wished to return her donation, but Mrs. Moyal insisted that she give me the money when she would meet me.
Some time passed. I found myself in Canada once again. Who should come to see me but this woman and her son? With a great smile, she handed me an envelope with her donation.
“Honored Rav,” she began, her voice breaking, “the very week that I was notified of your return to Canada, my son was on the floor beside me. Suddenly, I felt something touching my leg. I looked down and was stunned to find my son standing on his own two feet!”
The great merit of the holy one, Rabbi Chaim Pinto, stood by her to bring her salvation. Her triumph over her anger and her desire to donate once again granted her the zechut to be rescued from her distress. Whoever overcomes his character traits is saved from harsh decrees.
