Several few months ago, an 8th grade student at Yeshiva Torah Vodaath in Brooklyn, NY challenged his teacher, who is Jewish but not yet observant.
“If I get a 100 on the history midterm, I’d like you to start wearing tzitzis every day, and put on tefillin every day until the end of the school year,” the boy challenged.
The teacher smiled – and then agreed.
The boy studied hard, putting in the hours and the effort, and, indeed, he got 100 on the test.
The teacher, true to his word, began to wear tzitzis every day, and when he arrived at the yeshiva each day in the afternoon, the boys would put tefillin on him. This was difficult for him, as he had not put on tefillin since his bar mitzvah.
Yesterday marked 3 months since his commitment, and he’s been wearing tefillin and tzitzis every day. In honor of the occasion, the boys of his class celebrated with music and dancing. The teacher told the boys about how his life has changed for the better since he has taken on this commitment, now wearing his tzitzis out – and with great Jewish pride.
Mi ke’amcha Yisroel.
WATCH:
הגה”ק והנורא רבי שרגא פייבל מנדלאוויטש זצוקללה”ה זיעוכי”א ייזכר לדורות עולם כמחזיר עם ישראל לשוב להקב”ה לציון
Go Mr Berger
WOW! This is an amazing story. What a brave bochur. Kol Hakavod for putting all that effort in for the teacher’s sake.
Extremely sweet. In our first y’shiva. Terrific boch’rim.