Puff Daddy's First Shabbat

they haD an agreement. but that FriDay night, the phone starteD to ring. anD ring. anD ring.

what their working relationship would look like. Brafman described what happened during this meeting in a video from the 2015 National Conference of Jewish Lawyers.

"People think [Combs] is just a rapper," he said. "He's an industry."

Combs employed 600 people, and he expected them to work for him not just during regular business hours, but also on nights and weekends. He was used to getting what he wanted, and he pushed Brafman to be available during the same hours.

"He says, 'The first thing you gotta do is give me all your numbers. You gotta be available 24/7,'" Brafman said.

Brafman replied: "24-6." Combs said: "24-7. Everyone who works for me is available 24/7."

This wasn't going to work for Brafman, an observant Jew who didn't use the phone on Shabbat.

"Listen, I just want to get this out of the way now because I'm the right guy for this case," the attorney told Combs. "You've got to understand something. I observe the Sabbath. And absent a real emergency, I won't answer the phone."

Brafman explained that he had staff members in place who weren't Jews to handle emergencies as they came up. If a real emergency occurred, they could fax a message to Brafman, who would see it and then decide whether or not to take action and pick up the phone on Shabbat.

"Don't call me Friday night," he said to Combs, thinking they had an agreement. But that Friday night, the phone started to ring. And ring. And ring.

"The phone rings a thousand times," Brafman said. "Most people would hang up after 50 times."

The phone call was coming from a blocked number. There was no fax. Obviously, this wasn't an emergency, and Brafman didn't answer the phone.

Then, after Shabbat was over on Saturday night, Brafman called Combs to confirm his suspicions.

"I said, 'Were you trying to reach me Friday night?'" "Yeah," said Combs. "Was it an emergency?" "No."

"I'm sorry I didn't answer the phone." Combs explained that that was totally fine. "Why?"

"I won ten grand. I bet my homies you wouldn't pick up the phone." Said a thrilled Combs.

The year was 1999, and Sean "Puffy" Combs had just been arrested for a weapons charge after gunfire broke out at a nightclub in Manhattan. Combs was one of the biggest stars of the time and had paparazzi following him and his then-girlfriend J.Lo daily.

When it was time for "the trial of the decade," Combs wanted to ensure he had the best representation possible. So, he hired famed attorney Ben Brafman, of Brafman & Associates, P.C., who had represented Michael Jackson, Mafia underboss Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano, politician Carl Kruger, and many other high-profile clients. Brafman, the son of Holocaust survivors, had attended Yeshiva High School and had a deep knowledge of Jewish law.

When Combs approached Brafman, they had a chat about

Truthfully, Combs won more than money. He witnessed a world where purpose comes before profit, and faith is more important than fame. Shabbat observance itself demonstrates that there is a Creator and G-d does exist. Brafman showed Combs a new elevated way of living simply by honoring his faith and not picking up the phone on Shabbat. He also secured Combs as a client and won the case for him. And whom did Combs thank when that acquittal came through? Sure, he thanked his lawyers and fans, but the biggest thanks went to G-d, who does exist, and Who orchestrated it all.

About : Benjamin "Ben" Brafman is an American criminal defense attorney and the founder of the Manhattan-based firm Brafman & Associates, P.C. He is recognized for his representation of numerous high-profile defendants, including celebrities, accused Mafia members, and political figures. The son of Holocaust survivors, Ben is a Shabbat observant Jew and proud of his faith.