H/t Sherry
Hebrew with English subtitles. However, I have typed up a rough version of the text below.
A Jew from Haifa who had no children went to Netivot to see the Baba Sali on Rosh Chodesh. He did not know that on Rosh Chodesh there is no public reception with the Baba Sali because they would be having a feast on the eve of Rosh Chodesh. It was the custom to travel to Jerusalem for prayers and a feast every Erev Rosh Chodesh.
So this Jew who has travelled on many buses to get there, turns up and knocks on the door of the Baba Sali. The Rebetzin answers the door. She explained to him that the Baba Sali does not accept visitors on Rosh Chodesh. The Jew became very upset and explained how far he had travelled and how he had no children and needed the Rav to bless him. So she allowed him to come in for a few minutes.
He went into the Rav's room and saw the Rav was all organised to go to Jerusalem for Rosh Chodesh, the family was waiting downstairs and the driver was waiting in the car.
He stood in front of the Baba Sali and the Baba Sali looked at him with his holy eyes and says 'what is it my son?' and he replied: I am childless and the doctors have said there is no hope. The Baba Sali told him to sit and then he asked the Rebetzin to bring him the first course of the meal she had prepared to take to Jerusalem.
The Rebetzin couldn't understand it, the Rav had never delayed his trip to Jerusalem for Rosh Chodesh. Anyway, she didn't ask questions.
She brought the first course of the meal in for the Rav and the visitor.
They begin to eat and the Baba Sali talked to him, made him laugh, then asked him what he did to try to have children. He said that there is nothing he has not tried and no prayer that he has not prayed, and that he's been to so many doctors, all of whom said there is no hope. He then started to cry.
Then the Baba Sali signalled to his wife to bring the second course.
She doesn't understand what is going on, they are late and it takes time to travel to Jerusalem and this has never happened before. The driver is still waiting downstairs, but no-one questions whatever the Baba Sali decides to do so no-one says anything.
She brings the second course and the Baba Sali acts as if he has all the time in the world. Then he asks the Rebetzin to bring dessert.
Then, taking his time, he finally blesses the Jew from Haifa that Hashem will help him to have children this year.
The man was very happy, he kissed the Baba Sali's hand and then he left.
At last, they all get in the car to drive, and the family asked the Baba Sali what delayed them so much. He replied that when he saw the man, and looked into his eyes, he saw that this man could not have children in this world, and I asked G-d to enlighten me how I could bless him with children.
And He answered me that we need to make a change to the middot [character traits].
And I said no problem, the Rebetzin wants to leave quickly, everyone is waiting, but if they don't say anything and they change their middot, then there is a chance to give this Jew a child from a place he can never have.
I asked for the first course and there was tension in the house, but no-one came up here. I asked for the second course and the tension rose but no-one said anything.
When I asked for dessert I already saw that the gate for giving this man children was opening. When they accepted the change and the delay, the gate was opened, and I could give him the blessing.
If all the gates are locked, we can open them by changing our middot .... if someone has something to complain about and he says "Lord of the World I accept your leadership, that's how you want it" at that moment the gates will open.
Wow! beautiful. Thank you, lets all do that and bring Mashiach. I have been waiting lately for a sign as there were so many signs for a while and then it felt like things slowed down in the geula process. Yes, there are volcanoes and earthquakes and the nations are asking for Israel's land to be given away. Yes, the world is getting crazier by the minute. Yet, I wanted something to feel like those signs before about the star and fall of Damascus etc weren't just infrequent 'labor pains' and I was afraid that we might have to wait years for the next ones. Did the Baba Sali say anything about Geula? Ricki
ReplyDeleteChanging our midot, that's the message. Not to focus on others, rather focus on ourselves. It can be a tough task.
ReplyDeletewonderful post
ReplyDeleteHere's another wonderful post: 1957 Years
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to let you know how inspired I was by your Baba Sali post. Never heard that idea before, that by being patient on behalf of another person – even without any kavanah regarding him – we can reap miracles for that person.
ReplyDeleteThe concept goes much deeper as far as reaping zechusim for Am Yisrael in general.
...that by fixing your own middot you are enabling someone else to receive a blessing.
Just shows you, that when you go the extra mile for someone..... everyone gets a reward.
Now everything has changed.... because it makes us so powerful.
I never knew it and it's such a beautiful and powerful chiddush, thank you!!!!
MRD
To everyone reading this..... this is called an accidental miracle.
ReplyDeleteDoes everyone realize the potential in this knowledge ?
That by changing YOUR middot you are helping someone else.
We are taught that if you want something extra special, you need to do something extra special to receive it. And it goes back to the first comment above by Ricki, that if we want Mashiach, we need to do something extra.
Can everyone please work on their bad middot, fix your middot to bring Mashiach.
Fix yourself and the world at the same time.
Let's do this.
Amen
DeleteAnyone Can Reap a Miraculous Bracha for Another without Even Realizing It
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Devorah – both for this incredibly inspiring post on the Baba Sali and for linking!
Delete