by Rabbi David Hanania Pinto
"For I know that whomever you bless is blessed" [Balak 22:6]
The Tzaddik Rabbi Meir Abuchatzera zya"a, told over that in his country of origin - Morocco, there was a simple person to whom people used to go to ask for blessings, and many times his blessings were indeed fulfilled.
Rabbi Meir's son, the Admor Rabbi Elazar zya"a asked his father to explain this phenomenon (brought in the sefer 'Pekudat Elazar').
Rabbi Meir replied that true the man was simple and his father too was known as a simple person, but his father was also well known for his charitable acts.
Among all the kind deeds that he performed, he also used his profession as a tailor to this end. He was accustomed to collecting old or torn clothes from people, which he would then take the time to repair so that they were once again fitting to be worn and distribute them to poor people. It was merit of his father's good deeds that gave his son the merit of his prayers to be accepted.
In the same vein, there is a story told about the Alter of Slabodka. When he was ill, he sent a message to various gedolim and tzaddikim, asking them to pray for him. He also asked the town's pharmacist to pray for him. He explained that since the pharmacist helps others by preparing medications which serve to heal them, he has great merits and therefore his blessings will bear fruit, just like the prayers of a tzaddik or holy person.
2 comments:
Shalom Devorah, Thank you for your blog. Sefer HaChinuch/Book of Mitzvot, Mitzvah 231 "You shall not curse the deaf" (Vayikra/Leviticus 19:14) has an interesting commentary (Schottenstein Ed. ArtScroll):
The Gemara (Megillah 15a) states: "Let the blessing of an ordinary person not be insignificant in your eyes." The importance of "ordinary" blessings is so great that there is an obligation to respond "amen" upon hearing any person blessing another. (Mishnah Berurah 215:9, Ben Ish Chai and others)
The main point the commentary makes is that if an ordinary person blesses another with a heart full of love their blessing will be effective (Maharsha, Sotah 38b) and that ultimately, each one of us are endowed with the Divine power of speech and have the ability to channel Divine goodness if he issues a blessing with genuine love.
I was so delighted when I came across this insight some time ago and when I saw your post I wanted to share it. With Hashem's help, we can all use our power of speech He endowed us with to bring His love, kindness, and chizuk and blessing into His world.
Kathryn Kelly
Thanks Kathryn, and yes it's true we can all bless someone else... I think Rabbi Pinto was making the point that someone who spends his life helping others has great merits like a tzaddik. Thanks for sharing that extract from the book.
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