“By denying admittance to me, it’s not just two people not being allowed in,” said Rabbi Goldberger, “it’s 4,000”
Rabbi Goldberger was dismayed. The Ohel Sarala participants are in the middle of a 40-day Nishmas recital, and the organization’s staff had arranged for the 4,000 participants’ names to be read at mekomos hakedoshim around the world for each of the 40 days. On Lag B’omer, of course, the plan was to have the names read at the kever of Rabi Shimon Bar Yochai.
Spurred by the thought of the 4,000 people counting on him, Rabbi Goldberger urged the officer to let him in, but to no avail. Finally, frustrated by the stalemate, the officer summoned his superior, the chief security officer.
The secular-looking Israeli approached, but before he had a chance to talk, Rabbi Goldberger delivered an impassioned plea, explaining that he wasn’t there for himself, but on behalf of 4,000 singles, whose hopes were pinned on tapping into the great merit of Rashbi.
“By denying admittance to me, it’s not just two people not being allowed in,” said Rabbi Goldberger, “it’s 4,000.”
Create a free account to keep reading.
