By Rom Leibner of Tzfas, Israel:
We are living in Tzfat and our lease is up, so we started looking for a house.
My wife went to one home which was too small for us. The neighbors mentioned there was another house available next door, so she walked over.
The elderly man showed her the house he built with his own hands and continues to renovate now, even at the age of 77.
He then started talking about his life, being born in China, escaping Russia and learning to speak German. He said he’s been shot at several times.
As she was on her way out, he asked her if she was “frum” and then started talking to her about how he’s “completely atheist” and “eats everything”…
She asked if he would be willing to put on Tefillin if I visited. He said okay but reminded again that he “eats everything.”
Two days later, I went to visit him and wrap him up in Tefillin. This has been the first time he did so since his Bar Mitzvah. Even while he was wrapping, he was ironically arguing his disbelief in G-d.
When it comes to action, belief doesn’t always take precedence. A mitzvah counts as a mitzvah regardless of our thoughts!
I’m not a lamden so I can’t quote you sources, but on a simply human level, you do realize, don’t you, that you come across as one angry, unhappy person. The road to happiness, my friend, is one you construct for yourself; it doesn’t present itself just because you’d like to travel on it…
Very nice, maybe there’s a way to keep in contact with him or have someone else do so, as it seems he’s not really adverse to these things.
Up and coming Shluchim to the Rebbe in Tzfas, go Ariella and Rom!
You sure about that? Can you provide a source?
You’re awesome!
Great going rom one of your friends from Montreal