RABBI JUDAH MISCHEL

Mashpiah, OU-NCSY Executive Director, Camp HASC Author of Baderech: Along the Path of Teshuva (Mosaica 2021)

Blessed

The great tzadik Rebbi Chaim haGadol (d. 1845) of Mogador (Essaouira), Morocco, was a link in the illustrious, holy chain of chachamim in the Pinto Family. He was talmid chacham who rose for Tikun Chatzot in the middle of each night, and then learned Torah until dawn. He was renowned for his love and sacrifice for others, he maintained an ongoing chavrusashaft with Eliyahu haNavi, and was the head of a family that spawned generations of spiritual leaders. His grandson, the holy Rebbi Chaim haKatan of Casablanca (d. 1937), was named haKatan / ‘the Small’ in order to distinguish him from his grandfather, haGadol / ‘the Great’. Yet, he inherited the family legacy of kedushah, chesed, love of Am Yisrael — and the ability to give miraculous blessings.

A local fisherman in Mogador struggling with his livelihood once came to Rebbi Chaim haKatan to pour out his heart, share his burden and receive the tzaadik’s blessing. Rebbi Chaim listened quietly to the man’s pain. He then removed his shoes and handed them to the fisherman, saying, “When you go to the dock, place these shoes in the water. May Hashem bless you with parnassah b’shefa!”

The fisherman left with Rebbe Chaim’s shoes in his hands, went to the shore and submerged them in the water. Within seconds, they were surrounded by swarms of fish, well beyond any amount that he could net and carry home.

That evening, the fisherman went to the tzaddik with a basket full of fish as a gift. Filled with awe, he recounted the events of the day. Rebbi Chaim refused to accept any gifts: “Baruch Hashem! My friend, these fish are yours. I had nothing to do with this shefa — they are for you.”

Our sedra recounts how, arriving thirsty at the bitter waters of Marah, Hashem instructs Moshe to take a piece of wood and throw it in the water. Miraculously, it turns the bitterness into sweetness.

“So he cried out to Hashem, and Hashem showed him a piece of wood; he threw it into the water and the water became sweet. There Hashem made for them a fixed rule; there they were put to the test.” (15:25)

Midrash Tanchuma (24) offers several opinions regarding the nature of the wood utilized by Moshe. The suggestions include the wood of the aravah or willow tree, ivy, olive or cedar wood, or the root of a fig or pomegranate tree. The consensus among Sages is that the wood was itself bitter. Moshe thought or assumed that Hashem would tell him to sweeten the waters with something sweet, like honey or pressed