radashitz.org

Several years ago, one of my friend’s children – a 17-year-old boy – started straying from the Torah-true path. Within a short time, he had completely distanced himself from Yiddishkeit, moved out of his parents’ home, and cut off contact with his family. The parents’ pain was indescribable. They forced themselves through the motions of living, but the tragedy hung over their heads like a dark cloud.

As a good friend, I couldn’t bear the father’s pain. I tried to support him and strengthen him, offering him money to fund any programs that might bring this boy back home.

It was towards the end of the month of Iyar when I suggested to my friend that he should travel to Radashitz. I had heard about the Radashitzer’s promise that after his passing, he will continue to help Yidden as he did throughout his lifetime. My friend was suffering and he didn’t even want to consider the idea, but after I pushed him and encouraged him to undertake the trip, he finally agreed. He traveled to Radashitz and cried tears of unspeakable anguish at the ohel of the Radashitzer, on the 18th of Sivan – the day of his yahrtzeit.

It sounds unbelievable, but when my friend was still in Poland preparing for his return flight, his errant son called home. He wanted to hear what was doing. When he was told that his father had traveled to holy sites to pray on his behalf, his dormant feelings were aroused. He inquired about the date and time of his father’s planned return and suggested that he would go to the airport to meet him and drive him home.

My friend landed in Newark Airport and he was shocked to see his son standing there, dressed in a manner that bespoke dignity and respect. The boy took his father’s suitcase and said, “Totty, I came to pick you up. I hope your prayers were accepted”.

Several days later, my friend told me that he had pinched himself repeatedly to ensure that this wasn’t a dream. Slowly, the first pinpricks of hope began to appear. The boy starting coming home from time to time and he steadily moved towards the path he had forsaken. Within six months, he got engaged to a wonderful girl and his family is looking forward to years of happiness and nachas.

The parents attribute his miraculous turnaround to the merit of the tzaddik who had promised that he would continue to help those who pray at his gravesite.