Unexpected Encounters: How Pamphlets Are Transforming Lives

"Just before Chanukah this year," begins Rabbi David Shalom Naki, the author of the "In Halacha and Agada" pamphlet series, "I received a call from one of our distributors who was handing out the 'In Halacha and Agada' pamphlets at Malcha Mall that evening. 'There's someone here who urgently wants to speak with you,' he told me, and passed the phone. On the line was a young, excited woman sharing her story. For three years, she had been trying to observe Shabbat with her mother, while her father opposed the effort. The young woman had been trying hard, even attempting to learn more about it, but she lacked enough knowledge to do it properly."

"At the time, she was working at a store in the mall alongside a non-Jewish woman. One day, her non-Jewish colleague finished work and was on her way home. At a traffic light, someone handed her 'In Halacha and Agada' pamphlets on Shabbat and Rosh Hashanah. Though she told him he had made a mistake, the light turned green, and he only had time to shout, 'Pass it on.' The next day, the pamphlets reached the Jewish woman, who was astonished by the treasure she received: a detailed and clear guide on what to do for Shabbat, and one more on Rosh Hashanah. She had prayed so much about her Shabbat observance, and suddenly, here it was. Three months later, she was significantly strengthened in her journey. As Chanukah approached, she yearned to learn more about the holiday, and suddenly that same person at the mall handed her a comprehensive pamphlet – complete with laws, teachings, and stories about the holiday. This providence moved her greatly."

In the Mall, Caesarea, and the Boardwalk

For nearly two decades, the "In Halacha and Agada" pamphlets have been distributed by the hundreds of thousands throughout the country. Each pamphlet tackles a single topic, presenting relevant laws in an accessible language, along with stories and teachings. "The most popular pamphlets are on Shabbat and purification. Additionally, there are ones on all the holidays, and various topics like marriage, kashrut, prayer, honoring parents, and more," says the rabbi. "They are sold at various locations across the country at a very low price to reach the masses. We also have numerous distributors who go around malls, events, and Torah classes daily, spreading them to those not yet observant."

Have you noticed a change in demand since the war began?

"Even before the war, there was enormous demand, and since it started, there's hardly anyone who refuses a pamphlet. Overall, I can say that while we once saw the fulfillment of the verse 'Not hungry for bread, nor thirsty for water, but for the word of Hashem,' today it's much more than that. Over forty of our distributors deliver these daily to non-religious people eager to receive them. We often hear, 'How did you know to come right now, when we need this encouragement?' We visibly see the realization of the verse 'And I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean.' During the summer holidays, our distributors went to performances in Caesarea every evening to hand out pamphlets on Shabbat and purification, and even there they only asked for more."

The distributors don't just stick to the usual distribution, they come up with their own ideas. "One distributor in Netanya decided to distribute the Shabbat pamphlet wrapped in cellophane, along with two candles. The packages were distributed in about 30 kindergartens in the city, and that's not all. The principal of 'Ort Gutman' School in the city called to request pamphlets for all the high school students. She explained that every week they do something for the hostages, and that week they decided to focus on Shabbat and candle lighting. Other schools are also showing willingness to open their doors to this precious content now. One of our distributors is frequently invited to challah separation nights in hotels in Eilat, where southern residents are staying, and women are happy to receive this gift at the end of the evening."

Generational Changes

Heartwarming stories about the pamphlets' impact continue to flow in. "One day, a soldier called asking to purchase Shabbat pamphlets for distribution. No one in her family is religious, and she didn't even know what a Chumash was before. One morning, her commander said religious soldiers could go to pray, and those who weren't had to clean rooms. She made a quick decision to head to the synagogue. She didn't know how to pray, but then she noticed the 'In Halacha and Agada' pamphlet on Shabbat. When she opened it, she found intriguing questions, like 'What's worse, stealing or desecrating Shabbat?' That's where the first spark caught. Since then, she left her Tel Aviv apartment, where she lived with her boyfriend, and moved to a seminary in Jerusalem. Today, she's observant and one of our major distributors. Not only that, she runs groups where she shares two laws a day from the pamphlets. An entire world and family changed because of that moment on the military base."

And there are ongoing stories. "A Jew from Herzliya called and said he attended a large memorial service for a relative, where pamphlets were distributed in memory of the deceased," the rabbi recounts. "This has become common at many memorials. He himself was very opposed to the idea but felt compelled to take a pamphlet when it was handed to him, silently. When he got home, he thought, 'Let's see what these religious folks have to offer,' and to his surprise, he found himself sitting for two and a half hours, absorbing every word voraciously. 'I've always spoken against religious people,' he told me on the phone, 'and now I want to apologize to them and to Shabbat. No one ever explained Shabbat to me, and through this wonderful pamphlet, I discovered there's a great joy in it. Sitting together, eating and drinking, I never knew all this.'"

"This gentleman made the effort and called," says the rabbi, "and how many experience similar feelings and don't get in touch?" Here's a continuation story: "I once visited a Shabbat dedicated entirely to Torah in a city and shared this story. I told the people there, 'Who knows how that gentleman has progressed since, maybe he decided to go to the synagogue once and the rabbi was welcoming? Who knows, maybe his home changed because of all this?' At that moment, a scholar stood up from the crowd and said, 'Rabbi, why go far? Let me tell you about myself. Until nine years ago, I was completely secular. Somewhere, I found your pamphlet on Shabbat, and it led me to begin strengthening.' Next to him sat his son, a child who was now growing up in a world of Torah. A small pamphlet created generational change."

Amidst the joyful stories, the rabbi cannot ignore the painful reality: "Unfortunately, I often hear about schools where they teach about Christian holidays and barely mention Jewish holidays. One day, a father from Kiryat Gat called me asking to buy 80 Chanukah pamphlets for all the children in his son's grade. He told me, 'The children learned about Christmas, and Chanukah – not a word. I couldn't stand by quietly in the face of this dreadful thing, so I decided to provide them a way to know the holiday.' This is what we're dealing with, unfortunately."

The Greatest Kindness

What is the halachic approach Rabbi Naki adopts in the pamphlets?

"The laws follow the books of Maran and the 'Yalkut Yosef,' while also presenting Rama's view where it differs from Maran. This allows both Ashkenazim and Sephardim to learn from them. In recent years, I've lived in Dimona, and not long ago, a Gur Hasidic community started developing here. When we met, they excitedly shared that even their community studies 'In Halacha and Agada.' A school for Belz girls in London also requested we email them 'In Halacha and Agada.' The Ayelet Hashachar organization used to order thousands of pamphlets from us, and now all their study partners automatically receive this content digitally. I was recently at a wedding. Before the chuppah, a man came up to me with a pamphlet in hand and said, 'Before the chuppah starts, I manage to study.' Thank Hashem, the distribution is extensive across all segments of the public. Many scholars also tell us they prepare Torah talks from the pamphlets, use them to prepare for the Passover Seder, and more."

Over time, a more convenient study division has developed. "Shabbat laws are divided into three pamphlets, each broken into four months by dates. This way, all Shabbat laws can be learned within a year. Holiday pamphlets are also split into 30 sections, so you can start studying 30 days before the holiday and complete everything. Plus, on the recommendation of Rabbi David Abuhatzeira, who supports and strengthens us during each visit, we created a special package of all holiday pamphlets for those who want to purchase them that way."

What are Rabbi Naki's future plans?<\/strong><\/p>"We're continually working on writing and editing additional topics. This is why, after Shabbat and the holidays, we wrote about marriage, bar mitzvah, brit milah, and more. There are so many more topics to cover, and the demand is there. Truly, pray for us, that we may have divine assistance to bring joy to the Creator and continue to bring merit to the many."

In conclusion, the rabbi emphasizes his most crucial point: "If you have a good and beloved friend, you introduce them everywhere. You also defend them when someone says something bad. So too, whoever loves Hashem speaks of Him everywhere, spreading His word. Giving to Hashem reflects our love for Him. Our people are filled with goodness and kindness, and it's crucial to remember that the greatest kindness is bringing a Jew closer to their essence. 'A person in poverty is poor only in knowledge,' and when you enlighten them – that is the greatest charity. Our goal is also to save as many souls of the Jewish people as possible. During one of my visits to Rabbi David Abuhatzeira, he told me, 'These pamphlets will bring the Messiah.' If the Jewish people observe two Shabbats, they will immediately be redeemed, and the way to make this happen is through learning."

To purchase pamphlets through Hidabroot Shops, click here. For information on distribution points, contact 058-3279981, or by email 6410995@gmail.com