A Dream Message from Beyond: Seeking Forgiveness for Peace

Rabbi Amram Binaat shared an incredible story from the other side. The story was told to him by a friend, who heard it directly from the person involved. Here's how it went:

"About fifty years ago, a Jewish man who had moved to Jerusalem from the Soviet Union lived there. He came with his wife, and they had no children. His name was Rabbi Yitzchak, and he prayed regularly at a specific synagogue. He was a devout man, full of love for the Torah, but... he didn't know how to study. Unfortunately, by the time he was supposed to start Hebrew school, the communists were in control and denied him that opportunity. He could read and pray, but studying Gemara was beyond him.

Rabbi Yitzchak greatly admired those who studied Torah. Often, when he saw a young scholar or an older person studying aloud, he would come, sit across from them, and gaze with appreciation, envy, and a painful longing because he lacked that privilege himself.

One day, a young scholar, a devout and learned man, arrived at the synagogue. Perhaps that day he was a little short-tempered because something hadn't gone right for him. He sat down to study, began chanting the Gemara to get into the matter, and as usual, Rabbi Yitzchak came, sat across, and gazed at him.

The scholar reacted unexpectedly. He showed obvious displeasure at Rabbi Yitzchak sitting opposite him, and... slammed his Gemara shut, stood, and went to study elsewhere. Rabbi Yitzchak was deeply hurt, and understandably so.

Decades passed. That man grew and became distinguished in the sacred Torah, but he forgot the incident completely and never bothered to make amends with Rabbi Yitzchak.

Eventually, when it was his time, he passed away with a good name, leaving behind many children and grandchildren. As he was laid to rest, hundreds of Jerusalem's esteemed residents came to pay their respects. They sat shiva and afterward went on with their lives.

And then, one night, he came to his widow in a dream and said, 'I harmed Rabbi Yitzchak; I have no peace in heaven. They won't let me into paradise; I'm suffering. Please, go to him and make amends for me. Don't give up until he publicly says he forgives me.'

The elderly widow woke up, feeling it was more than just a dream. She took her husband's hat—a new one purchased days before he passed—and set out to give it as a gift to Rabbi Yitzchak. She knocked on his door and asked if he remembered that her husband had hurt him like that. Rabbi Yitzchak confirmed he vividly remembered the incident and still felt the sting of the offense.

She gave Rabbi Yitzchak the hat as a gift and asked him with all her heart to forgive her husband, as he was suffering in heaven. Naturally, Rabbi Yitzchak quickly said he wholeheartedly forgave him, held no grudges, promised to light a candle for his soul's elevation, and to pray for him to find peace swiftly.

"This story," concluded the friend who told it to me, "I heard from Rabbi Yitzchak himself..."

Courtesy of the 'Dirshu' website