Rav Pinchos of Koretz’s grandfather was also named Rav Pinchos, and he was named after him. He related (quoted in Sefer Chacham Harazim, page 59) that his grandfather would often travel to see meshumadim (Jewish men who had converted to Christianity) and he would promise them his share in Olam Haba. All he asked from them in return was that they should say “Shema Yisroel” every day. He would say to the wicked men, “You may continue living the same wicked lifestyle you are used to. I won’t try to stop you. What’s the big deal to just say Kriyas Shema?”
He would convince them to accept the deal – and many of them ultimately did full teshuva.
Rav Pinchos of Koretz would say about this, “We see from this how powerful Kriyas Shema truly is. Even meshumadim who say Shema Yisroel every day can merit escaping from their sinful way and returning to Yiddishkeit. It is, therefore, certain that a Jew who has sinned but says Shema Yisroel every day is able to repent from his sins. Therefore, one should never give up hope of doing teshuva.”
