R’ Yerachmiel, a resident of the city of Vinnitsa in western Ukraine, arrived a week before Pesach for the first time in his life, to receive matzos from the rabbi of the city and the Chabad Shliach, Rabbi Shaul Horowitz.
For many years, he sent his grandson to get the Matzah for him, but this year he decided to come on his own, for the first time in his life.
When he arrived, he was happy to find a flourishing Chabad House and synagogue, where many people study and pray, eat and participate in programs, so he inquired about the Pesach prayers and meals and took part in many of them throughout the holiday.
Throughout the holiday, the center was full of activities organized by Rabbi Horowitz and his assistants, packed with many guests, a group of minyanim, Torah lessons, holiday meals and more.
On the last day of Pesach, Rabbi Horowitz noticed that R’ Yerachmiel left after davening with tears in his eyes.
“I was moved to tears, because this is the first time in my life that I said the Yizkor prayer in memory of my parents, which is recited on the last day of Passover,” said Yerachmiel in a trembling voice.
But the story does not end here.
Yerachmiel has a son who lives in Bat Yam, Israel, and on the evening of the holiday the father called his son and told him what he had experienced during the evening and on the holiday itself. Together, they agreed to both begin putting on Tefillin every day – beginning the very next morning!
The father did not stop there, but came to the synagogue the next day, put on tefillin himself, and helped another Jew put on tefillin as well.
Thus, the matzah, literally brought about the saying, “restored the hearts of the forefathers through the sons” in a tangible and moving way.
Moshiach כאו!
Pintele Yid
Not extinguishable
Every Yid a Tzaddik