The Miraculous Story

I recently heard an incredible story from the grandson of one of the great Torah authorities of our time. He shared a personal account that left me in awe of the miracles that can unfold.

It all began with my sister, who lives in a more religious community. She has several children, including a daughter who, as a teenager, started to rebel against the family’s observant lifestyle. Slowly but surely, this girl shed her religious practices one by one – first Shabbat, then kashrut, and eventually, she abandoned everything except her modest way of dressing.

It was quite surprising to hear about a young woman who had completely disregarded the laws of Shabbat and kosher, attending parties and keeping questionable company, all while maintaining her tzniut (modest) appearance with long skirts, socks, and long-sleeved shirts. Her outward appearance remained a stark contrast to her secular behaviors.

About a week before the Novaye Festival, this girl received an invitation from friends to attend a party at the festival. Excited by the prospect, she informed her mother of her plans, despite her mother’s pleas to remain home for Shabbat. Undeterred, the girl packed her belongings, intending to join her friends.

However, that night, she had a terrifying dream – a nightmare that vividly depicted the horrific events that would unfold at the Novaye Festival the following day. She awoke in a cold sweat, shaken by the vivid imagery. Interpreting the dream as a divine message, she initially decided not to attend the party.

Her friends, dismissive of her concerns about the dream, eventually persuaded her to join them, convincing her that dreams held no significance. Reluctantly, she agreed to accompany them to the festival.

As the events of her nightmare began to unfold at the festival, with bombs exploding and terrorists opening fire, the girl found herself face down on the ground, crying out to God in repentance. Amidst the chaos, she felt a tap on her shoulder. To her astonishment, it was a terrorist who, upon noticing her modest attire, exclaimed, “You don’t belong here!”

The terrorist instructed her to follow him, assuring her safety as he led her away from the violence, pretending to have captured her. They ventured deep into the forest until they were clear of danger, at which point he released her, allowing her to return home safely.

Upon recounting this miraculous experience to her grandmother, a wise and pious woman, the grandmother revealed her belief that it was none other than Elijah the Prophet himself who had come to rescue the girl. She explained the significance of maintaining at least one anchor – one aspect of Jewish tradition and identity – even amidst spiritual wandering.

Just as an astronaut must tether themselves to their spacecraft before venturing into the vastness of space, we too must maintain a connection to our faith, no matter how tenuous. For this girl, her modest dress code became that anchor, that lifeline that ultimately saved her, both physically and spiritually.

The grandmother’s profound wisdom resonated deeply with me. We may stumble and stray from our paths, but if we cling to even a single aspect of our Jewish identity, it can serve as a beacon, guiding us back to the fold when we are ready to embrace our heritage fully once more.