Rav Tzvi Nakar shared a story from Rav Yitzchak Zilberstein. A woman from France had reached the age of 38, and she was still not married. After so many years in shidduchim, she felt completely broken. During a visit to relatives in Netivot, they suggested she get a brachah from Rav Yissachar Meir, zt”l, the Rosh Yeshivah of Yeshivas HaNegev.
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Although she spoke almost no Hebrew, she went to the Rav’s home, where she burst into uncontrollable tears. After regaining her composure, she poured out her heart in French. One of the Rav’s daughters, who spoke the language, translated. “My friends are already marrying off their own children,” she cried, “and I don’t even have a husband. I long to build a home, raise a family, and fulfill Hashem’s will. Why have I been denied that privilege?”
Deeply moved by her pain, Rav Yissachar Meir instructed her to say four Perakim of Tehilim every day for 30 days. He specified, “Say Perakim Ches, Yud Gimmel, Chaf Beis, and Nun (8, 13, 22, and 50).”
She left encouraged, hoping this would finally bring her a Yeshuah. On the morning of the thirtieth day, she returned to the Rav’s home. His family explained that he was not feeling well and that he was unable to receive visitors, but she pleaded, “Once he hears what I have to say, I’m sure he will feel better.”
They allowed her in, and with the same daughter translating, she excitedly shared her news. “I followed the Rav’s instructions exactly,” she said. “Last night, on the night of the thirtieth day, I became engaged!”
Rav Yissachar was overjoyed. He made a L’Chaim in honor of the kallah and bentched her with many heartfelt Brachos. As she was leaving, the Rav’s daughter stopped her with one question.
“Tell me honestly, did you really say those four Perakim of Tehilim every day?”
“Of course,” the Kallah replied.
The daughter then asked, “But... do you know how to read Hebrew?”
The Kallah admitted. “No.”
“Then how did you say the Tehilim?”
The Kallah answered simply, “I did exactly what the Rav told me. Every day I took my Sefer Tehilim, hugged it tightly to my heart, and said, ‘Please, Hashem— Perek Ches, Perek Yud Gimmel, Perek Chaf Beis, and Perek Nun.’ Then I poured out my heart in my own words, begging Hashem to have mercy on me and grant me the Zechus to build a family. I did that every day for 30 days.”
This sincere young woman, with a shattered heart and simple Emunah, called out to Hashem, and in Shamayim it was as though the words of those perakim themselves were recited on her behalf. Hashem is close to all who call upon Him, regardless of the language they speak. What matters is that they call to Him sincerely!
Reprinted from the Parshas Vayeira 5787 email of Rabbi Yehuda Winzelberg’s Torah U’Tefilah.