Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis told an amazing story in her book The Committed Life, about a speaking tour that she was on in Israel. She needed some musicians to accompany her, and out of nowhere, she was approached by a few yeshivah boys who offered their services. She asked them how they knew that she needed a band. The leader of the band answered, “Actually, we didn’t know, we just wanted to help.” With that, he began to tell his story.
“A few years ago, when I was living in New York, I was totally assimilated. I had no understanding of Judaism. My life was music, and I was on my way to Paris to continue my musical studies. I was walking on Kings Highway in Brooklyn when suddenly I heard a crash and the screech of brakes. I looked up, and there in the street, covered with blood, was a Rabbi who had been run over by a car.
“I rushed to his side and tried to talk to him, but he didn’t respond, so I stayed with him and held his hand until the police and an ambulance came. As he was lifted onto a stretcher, I noticed that his lips were moving. It seemed like he wanted to tell me something. I leaned down and bent my ear close to his lips so that I might hear him. Rebbetzin, you’ll never believe what the Rabbi said to me.” For a moment, the young man paused. Then he swallowed hard and continued with his story.”
“Son, are you Jewish?’ the Rabbi asked me. ‘Yes, Pop,’ I answered. ‘I am Jewish.’ ‘Son’ the Rabbi whispered again – although it was obvious that it was very painful and difficult for him to talk. He mustered all his strength and said, ‘You must go to Jerusalem and study Torah.’”
“Can you imagine? There was this Rabbi, suffering from multiple fractures, his body bloody and bruised, and in his pain what did he do? He told me to go to Jerusalem and study Torah! That experience changed my life. I realized that I had met a saint, a man who was so committed to his faith that he was able to overcome his suffering to reach out to me. So now you know why I’m here. The Rabbi changed my life, and I want to give back.”
Rebbetzin Jungreis listened to his story but had difficulty answering him. She recognized that story; she knew it well because that Rabbi was her father. When he recovered from that accident, he told his children of the incident and asked that they try to find the young man to thank him for his kindness, for staying with him until the ambulance came.
They never did find him, but now, years later, here in Jerusalem, he came to offer his services in gratitude to the Rabbi, and the Rebbetzin was able to thank him in the name of her father. We see from this story how the Rabbi reached out to another Jew even in an incredibly difficult time and was able to bring him back to Judaism.
Reprinted from Parashat Noah 5785 email of Jack E. Rahmey based on the Torah teachings of Rabbi Amram Sananes.
