By Rabbi Yossie Shemtov – Head Shliach of Tucson, Arizona
This past Sunday, a Jewish man visiting from Delaware came to our synagogue. He came prepared with a Tallis, Tefillin and even a Siddur. He seemed like a regular.
“Rabbi Shemtov, you don’t know me but I know you,” he said.
We had never met, spoken on the phone or exchanged an email. So how did he know me?
He explained the following:
“A Russian man once came to your synagogue. You thought he was Jewish and gave him a siddur as a gift. Inside the front cover, you wrote your name and phone number so he could call anytime he needed guidance.
“But this man, who was my friend, wasn’t Jewish. Not sure what to do with the prayer book, he gave it to me although I never had an interest in prayer.
“The siddur was left unused until I picked it up one day. I wasn’t familiar with the ritual, but I knew that if I had a question I could call your number. It was that assurance that has kept me pursuing my heritage on my own.
“By now, the siddur is worn and the cover has fallen off. I pray with it daily and I take it wherever I travel, but the cover itself with your phone number I safeguard at home.
“Though this is the first time we are meeting or speaking, I feel like we have known each other for years. All I want to say today is ‘thank you’!”
As King Solomon says in Ecclesiastes, “Send forth your bread… for after many days you will find it.” You may never know the impact of a positive thought or action.
BSD, Rabbi Adin (Even Yisroel) Steinsaltz said in an interview with PBS that there is a thing called the butterfly affect, which means that when a butterfly flaps it’s wings this has an affect all over the world. Also, The Lubavitcher Rebbe always said back then over and over and over from the Rambam that one good action, one good word or one good thought can tip the scales of justice by HaShem and bring saving and rescue to the entire world.
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Rabbi Yossi,
Advise him to get the New Siddur Russian Annotated Edition. He will be thrilled with the new edition. It has changed my life. It is a true masterpiece. It has made life as a observant jew much more palpable.
It is available in all Judaica
Very special story, thank you for sharing, Yasher Choach!
This is an incredible story thanks for sharing!!
I’m a shliach here in South Florida & I study with a Yid who used to live in Tucson. He always speaks fondly of rabbi Shemtov; “a real shliach” in his words. Even though he’s not doing so well in business these days he told me that he still tries to send support to the Rabbi in recognition of his Emmeskiet & indiscriminate devotion to all Yidden whom he encounters. This should serve as a perfect example for all Shluchim. Not always should we make Cheshboinois if the person will end up being a potential Balabus or “member”, rather give… Read more »