Rabbi Elya Lopian
A GROUP OF POLICEMEN were on a train heading to Haifa from Yerushalayim. In the middle of the train ride, one of the policemen felt a light tap on his shoulder.
He turned around and saw an obviously distinguished Yid. It was R’ Elya Lopian. R’ Elya Lopian asked the policeman if he could gather together all of the policemen on the train so they could answer “Amen” to his ברכה of יצר אשר.
Although the policeman had no idea what this was all about, or the concept of ברכות and answering אמן, he immediately got up and got all of the officers together. As they gathered around, some of them were nudging each other, curious as to what would happen. R’ Elya stood, surrounded by the officers, and began reciting the ברכה slowly, each word clearly precious. As R’ Elya Lopian made the ברכה the officers’ hardened hearts softened and were filled with admiration and respect for the Yiras Shomayim of Rav Elya Lopian.
R’ Elya finished the ברכה and a mighty "אמן" burst out from the mouths of the policemen. One officer said to his friend that it was possible to become a תשובה בעל from that one ברכה.
A short while later the train abruptly stopped. No one knew what was happening and the air was filled with fear. After about half an hour the train continued to travel and they then heard the reason for the delay. A terrorist had laid explosives on the line with the intention of blowing up the train. Miraculously the bomb did not explode and they were all saved.
It says in Tosfos that when one says the word "Amen" one should have in mind that Hashem is "Kel Melech N'eman".
Reprinted from the Parshas Eikev 5783 edition of Eitz Hachaim
