By Rabbi Sholem Dovber Avtzon
Reb Zev Nelkin related that there are many Lubavitchers who always have a pair of tefillin with them. This way, in case they meet a Jew during the day, who for whatever reason didn't put on tefillin that day, would have the opportunity to do so.
The following story was related to him by a fellow doctor, who heard it from a Lubavitcher who is one of his patients. That patient said to him, “One day I was traveling to New Jersey to meet one of my acquaintances. Sometimes when we meet, there is an elderly Jew (in his early eighties) at the meeting.
When I was a few minutes before the Verrazano Bridge, I glanced at the seat next to me and was alarmed to see that my tefillin was not there. After a moment of nervousness, I remembered that on the way I had stopped off at Bingos to buy some items. Evidently, I had taken my tefillin into the store, and most probably had left them there.
I called Bingo and they confirmed that they had it and said to me, “You have nothing to worry about. There is a Lubavitcher from Crown Heights by the counter and we will give it to him, and the two of you can make arrangements to meet.” However, I replied, “Please hold it as I will be there in fifteen to twenty minutes.” After retrieving them, I continued on my way to the meeting.
It happened to be that the elderly man was present, so I asked him, if he would put on tefillin.
To my delight, this time the man replied, “While I have not accepted your offer previously, I will do so today.”
I helped him put them on and recited the Shema and was about to begin the meeting. Very shortly afterwards the elderly Yid had a massive heart attack and passed away instantly.
[Zev told me, it sounded as if his doctor friend meant that it happened almost immediately after his patient, who related this story, had removed the tefillin from that Jew, however, perhaps he meant some minutes or hours later.]
I was devastated. However, the only solace I had was that because I had returned to Bingo, this Jew merited to put on tefillin at least once in his lifetime – (perhaps even the final act of his life). I knew for sure he won't be considered a Jew who had never worn tefillin in his life. Although it is possible that he may have put on Tefillin on other occasions.
Reprinted from Rabbi Avtzon’s Weekly Story email for the week of Parshas Shemos.
