Ten year old Ezra Erlbaum doesn’t always enjoy being shlepped to the supermarket, but one shopping trip turned into a true example of Hashgacha Pratis (Divine providence).
As his mother paid at the checkout, the tall, elderly clerk took a look at Ezra and said, “A yeshiva bochur! I used to be a yeshiva bochur when I was a boy!”
The man, who showed no signs of Jewish observance, went on to explain that he had fond memories of his observant youth. “I used to wear tzitzis just like you,” he beamed.
When asked why he stopped upholding his traditions, he replied in a somber tone, “I was drafted to serve in the army [during the Korean war] and it was just too hard for me to keep it up.”
This gave Ezra an idea…
They went home, ordered a pair of tzitzis, and contacted Ezra’s Rebbe at Cheder Chabad of Philadelphia. Together they made plans to return to the store with his entire class and Ezra’s own grandfather. who fought in the very same war.
The scene that unfolded was one that truly touched everyone present.
We just learned that this man, whose Hebrew name is Gedalia ben Sara, is in need of a refuah shleima! (He had emergency heart surgery a couple weeks ago.)
The Cheder boys made him a refuah shleima card and will be sending him challah for Rosh Hashana.
go philly boys!!!
may we have moshiach already in thier zchus!
moshiach now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You awakened his Neshama! You also awakened our Neshomos to see how warm and beautiful it is when our Tzivos Hashem bring one more Yid closer to his roots! We deserve Moshiah Now!
Heartwarming and inspiring!!
Beautiful, very touching!
tears of joy for that neshoma, tears of joy.
Moshiach now!
what a great story
make me so proud to be a lubavitcher
Kudos to the teacher for using this opportunity to have the kids practice their reading and writing, not to mention public speaking. A true model of experiential learning.
It was a great kiddush Hashem and and must be making the Rebbe proud.
How inspirational and caring!!!
It takes a Lubavitcher to touch a Yid.
This should go VIRAL!!!!!!
A true Kiddush HaShem. Soft spoken, polite, and considerate! No wild antics, just Yiddishkeit shining through!
You could see his Neshoma reawakening!!!!!
May he and his family iy”H go from strength to strength in Yiddishkite with the help from Rabbi Mendy Levin and the Philadelphia Chabad community!!!!!!!!
Absolutely beautiful.
Beautiful!
moshiach now
srolli Haskelevich
ASHREINU LUBAVITCHER CHASIDIM! MOSHIACH NOW !!!
Super special ! Very inspiring
under the leadership of Rabbi Mendy Levin, a shinning light on the Lubavitch horizon, Kol Hacovod!!!
You’re making the Rebbe proud! Keep up the great work and mivtzoyim.
That is so beautiful! What a thoughtful and touching way to follow up with this Yiddishe neshama. Kol hakavod to you!