Rabbi's Blog

Following the Mitzvah Trail

David, a young man in Connecticut, was in need of some spiritual guidance, he chanced upon a chabad representative who warmly guided him on his spiritual journey. He married a woman whose grandfather Albert lives here in Mission Viejo, as he got more involved in his Jewish roots he wanted to reach out to her grandfather and do something special for him to bring a little more spirituality into his life. As Al’s Birthday was nearing he contacted CJC of Mission Viejo and requested that a special Talit be purchased in honor of Al’s birthday. AL was notified and was thrilled by the gesture and made a weekly commitment to meet with me to put it on. This went on for a few weeks when suddenly Al stopped showing up. Upon further investigation it was confirmed that Al was quite sick and in the hospital. I went to visit him and kept up our weekly connection. One day I arrived at the hospital and he had been transferred, I eventually caught up with him in a rehab here in Laguna Hills. Al was not doing well each week he looked weaker and weaker and was going down hill. His spirit was strong and every time I would walk in he would say Baruch Hashem, I will get better and stronger. I wanted to believe him but it wasn’t looking good. One week I visited him and he was too weak for even a short visit.

I had noticed on the way in that the nursing home was having a Shabbat service. I had some time so I decided to see if I could find someone Jewish and visit with them. As I was walking through the hall I noticed a very Jewish name so I knocked and introduced myself, the gentleman by the name of Barry, was surprised and asked what I wanted. I explained to him what had happened that I was visiting someone and noticed his name. “Is he a member of your Temple?” he inquired. “We don’t have a formal membership was my reply, a Jew is a Jew, and if I can help any Jew it is a mitzvah, so I am here to visit with you”.

He was so appreciative of my visit and soon I was visiting with Barry quite frequently.

After a few visits with Barry he began talking of his daughter and that I should meet her. I took down her phone number and I called her and introduced myself. Her response was I thought my father was hallucinating when he told me that a Rabbi had been showing up to visit him, but now I realize that it is true. We setup a meeting. She is in the mental health profession and as a result of our meeting many people have been helped. This is a story that does not have an end as the ripple effects of the mitzvahs just keep on going.

What happened to Al, you might ask, well, after being in and out of the hospital for almost a year, thank G-d, he had an amazing recovery. Why just today he came in for his weekly meeting, saying Baruch Hashem in a loud strong voice.

One mitzvah leads to another and another…..

It truly is a blessing to be able to be a part of these mitzvahs. 

This Shabbat is very special it is the day when the Rabbi Yisroel, The Baal Shem Tov was born. He championed the mitzvah of love your fellow as yourself and was a master of Mitzvah trails. It is also the day the founder of Chabad, Rabbi Shneur Zalman, was born. He was well known for his great acts of kindness and his mitzvah trails from a very young age. It is also the 18^th day of the month of Elul. 18 = Chai = Life. The greatest way to add to our life is by giving to others.

Start your mitzvah trail today.

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Zalman Marcus

P.S. The names and some of the details have been changed to protect their privacy