Saved on the Way to King David’s Tomb

I want to share a true story I heard after Shabbat, on the evening following Parshat Lech Lecha (a weekly Torah portion). This story touched everyone who heard it and brought great strength, especially during these challenging times. Since Hashem has blessed me with the opportunity to visit the holy site of King David's Tomb regularly and to pray there for the rebuilding of the House of David, I’ve heard many stories of miracles and salvations. But this one stands out as truly remarkable.

The story was told firsthand by a dear Jew named Yeshayahu, who spoke to those of us gathered at the site. Every Saturday night, he makes a point to attend the Melaveh Malka meal held at King David’s Tomb. This meal, which we eat after Shabbat ends, honors King David and helps us carry the holiness of Shabbat into the new week. That week, like always, Yeshayahu left his home in the Nachlaot neighborhood of Jerusalem with his two daughters and walked with them toward the holy site.

As they passed through one of the narrow alleys near the Machane Yehuda market, a young Arab man suddenly appeared. In his hand was a knife. He approached them quickly, shouting with hate in his eyes, “Itbach al Yahud! Itbach al Yahud!” which means “Slaughter the Jews.”

The alley was empty. There was no one around to help. Yeshayahu and his daughters saw death before their eyes. His daughters screamed in terror, while he stood frozen, unable to speak or react. Fear took over his entire body.

But then, something unexpected happened. In that moment of complete panic and helplessness, Yeshayahu suddenly shouted fueled by something deep inside him: “No! You are not doing this to us! We are on our way to King David! You can’t do this to us, we are going right now to King David!”

He didn’t know where the strength to say this came from. He just knew he had to cry out with everything he had.

At first, he feared the attacker would become even more violent. But then, an unbelievable change took place. The man’s eyes shifted. The rage disappeared, replaced by a look of fear, an unexplainable fear. And then, without saying a word, the attacker turned and ran away.

Yeshayahu, his daughters, all of them were left completely unharmed.

They stood there in shock, trying to understand what had just happened. It felt like a miracle. Because of their devotion to honoring King David with the Melaveh Malka meal each week, they felt that Hashem had sent King David himself to protect them at that moment. They saw it as a clear sign, measure for measure. Their journey to honor a great tzaddik (righteous person) led to a great salvation.

Yeshayahu repeated this story to us several times during that meal. Each time, the sense of awe and gratitude filled the room. We were all moved by the kindness of Hashem and the power of faith.

And who knows? Maybe this is just one of many quiet miracles that happen to the Jewish people every single day. Sometimes we just need open eyes and open hearts to see them.