The Torah predicted that right before the coming of Moshiach there would be a spiritual awakening among the Jewish Nation and there would be a Teshuvah Movement. This prediction is occurring today before our very eyes. All around the world, especially in Israel, Jews, especially the youth, are returning to their Jewish roots. Many outreach organizations are busy around the clock, teaching ba'alei teshuvah.

Many claim that their various methods are their secret to success. I disagree. I believe that it is our Father in Heaven Who is preparing for the big celebration, when Moshiach comes soon, and He wants all of His children to be there, with no one left behind. Therefore, He fills them with a G-dly spirit and a yearning to come home. The proof is that boys and girls are coming to Torah groups on their own, with a thirst for religion that no one can understand.

In his book, Borechi Nafshi, Rabbi Zilberstein shlita writes that if he didn't know for sure that the facts of the following story were accurate, he would find it hard to believe.

There is a luxurious neighborhood in Ramat Gan, and very few religious families live there. Consequently, there was never a religious kindergarten there, funded by the Israeli government. One of the mothers who lives there comes from a religious family, and so, when her son became of age to join the kindergartens, she went to the City Municipality and said that she wants to register him in a religious gan (kindergarten). When they asked her where she lives and she told them, they informed her that she was the first and the only mother who requested a religious kindergarten for her child. "According to the rules of the municipality," the clerk said, "we cannot open a new kindergarten unless there is a registration of at least 20 children."

The woman was very disappointed but she understood, of course, that she couldn't expect them to open up a gan just for her son.

The next day, the mother took her son to play in the children's playground in the neighborhood. She sat on the bench and supervised him as he went from game to game. In between games, the little boy came to ask his mother for another candy. The mother happily gave it to him, but not before she recited with him the proper blessing.

On the opposite bench sat a non-religious woman observing the scene. She noticed that the little boy with the kipa on his head did not complain, but recited the blessing, slowly and out loud, before putting the candy in his mouth. She was very impressed. So much so, that she sat down next to the religious woman and told her that she was overwhelmed with the chinuch (upbringing) she was giving her child and that he controlled his desires until she was finished reciting the blessing with him.

"I would like to train my son that way too," she said. "Could you teach me what I have to do?"

The religious woman understood the Hashgachah Peratis (Heavenly Guidance) that was being revealed to her and she took advantage of it. She gave the woman a short course in the laws of the blessings and then asked her if she would like to register her son in a religious gan. The woman gave an enthusiastic "yes."

The next day the religious mother took her son back to the park and as he ran happily around, his tzitzis blew loftily in the wind. And then, yesterday's scene repeated itself as another mother came over and asked what are those strings sticking out from the cute little boy's shirt. The mother patiently explained to her new friend about the mitzvah of tzitzis, and, surprisingly, she asked where she could buy a pair for her son too. And, when asked if she would like to register her son in a religious gan, she too agreed.

Three kids so far. Still a long way to go. But with Hashem's help…

Within the next two weeks, people began talking about the respectful training religious people give their children and that it would be a good idea to have a religious kindergarten in the neighborhood for a change. One mother spoke to another, and so on and so forth, until there was a list of - not 20 but 22 families who wanted the municipality to establish a religious gan for their children! And, of course, the kindergarten was promptly started.

The amazing thing is that most of the parents had no religious background at all but they had heard that religious education produces students who are respectful to their parents and honest and upright boys and girls whom they could be proud of. Can anyone take credit for bringing these families close to Hashem? It was clearly Hashem Himself who performed this tremendous feat.

Shema Yisrael Torah Network
info@shemayisrael.co.il
http://www.shemayisrael.co.il
Jerusalem, Israel
732-370-3344