Sanctifying Hashem: The Party Publicist Turned Kosher Phone Marketer

Each of us, especially those who have returned to the faith and understand the power of true repentance, strives to achieve 'Teshuvat Hamishkal' in this lifetime. Teshuvat Hamishkal aims to rectify sins such as gossip, hurting others' feelings, theft, and more.

Not everyone who yearns for Teshuvat Hamishkal achieves it, but with consistent prayers and efforts, success comes. Asaf Bashi (35), an activist in the 'Tzofia' department of the Hidabroot organization, has achieved Teshuvat Hamishkal in at least three life fields. "In hindsight, I see that everything I did in the secular world, Hashem allowed me to do in holiness," he explains.

Want an example? Before returning to Judaism, Bashi managed a club public relations business in Rehovot for about five years while marketing smartphones and televisions. Today, he does the same thing but with a significant difference—he markets kosher and clean content. "Last week, I organized an awakening and forgiveness conference in the culture hall, which is a rare achievement. When my wife saw how I took care of even the smallest details, she was amazed. When she asked how I knew how to organize such an event, I suddenly remembered that all this knowledge came from managing an event for my good friend, singer Regev Hod.

"This means that nothing is ever lost, and if you're good at what you do, Hashem will guide you to a job where you can do what you love, but in holiness".

Bashi with Rabbi Shalom Arush

"Suddenly, the Rabbi Suggested We Go to a Club"

Let's go back a few years, to a different time altogether—in Los Angeles, like many young people his age, Bashi flew there right after his army service. "In the first two years, I lived in a non-Jewish community, and since the synagogue was very far from my area, we barely had any connection to the religion," he recalls. "I knew I did not want to return to faith, but I felt an emptiness in my heart, and I had to return to a Jewish area".

So he did, and for the first time since arriving in the USA, he attended a synagogue of one of the leading rabbis in the community, Rabbi Rafael Guy. "I immediately connected with Rabbi Guy, and started attending his lessons and prayers regularly".

Then came his birthday, and Bashi made an announcement: "We are celebrating my birthday at the synagogue," he told his friends. "I remember sitting there with the rabbi and the crowd, all secular friends who came just for me. The rabbi sat with us and suddenly asked what we were going to do. When I said we were going to have fun, he said: 'I'm coming with you'. Everyone laughed, and it was a little awkward. How could we allow the rabbi to join us at clubs and entertainment places? Of course, the rabbi didn't mean it literally, but he left us with the impression that 'there's nothing to look for elsewhere, and it's best to stay here'. In the end, we stayed with him all night, and it was amazing".

The bond between the rabbi and the young crowd strengthened until the rabbi came up with another idea: "I was the chef of the group, and every Shabbat many friends came over. One day, the rabbi said he wanted to come to my place for Shabbat, which surprised me. But he had a condition: 'For me to come, you have to kosher your entire kitchen,' he said, and I, of course, agreed immediately".

The kitchen was made kosher from A to Z, and that Shabbat, which marked the beginning of many more Shabbats with the rabbi and Bashi's friends, remains unforgettable for many of them. "Many people gained strength from those Shabbats, and I even have a friend who made serious repentance because of those Shabbats, and today he is a rabbi and a mohel. Those were two years of total spiritual growth".

Asaf Bashi before accepting Torah and mitzvot

"When You're in Such Spiritual Impurity - Strengthening is Very Hard"

But eventually, he returned to Israel, to childhood friends among whom were famous singers, and his spiritual work was no longer the same. "Although I didn't stop keeping Shabbat, that was the phase where I entered public relations work, and additionally, we had mixed parties in the evenings. Meanwhile, I started marketing smartphones, non-kosher TVs, and related items".

What was the trigger that got you back on track?

"My search for a match. I always knew that a person receives a match according to their deeds, and as long as I was engrossed in worldly matters, there was no way I would find a wife who suited me. In terms of desire, I wanted a wife who loves Hashem and wants to grow spiritually with me, but practically, I was far from that and knew I had to close the gaps".

This feeling was joined by another, painfully strong one. "I remember coming home late at night after parties to an empty house, and the emptiness was very big. I started putting on tefillin alone at home, but when you're in such spiritual impurity, strengthening alone is very slow and difficult. Each step I took was hard on its own, but I knew I had to do it strategically to prevent the evil inclination from stealing even the little I could do. In this way, I tackled each difficult part over time".

What was the most challenging aspect of your relationship search?

"The challenge was the gap between what you want and what you can achieve. I knew what kind of woman I wanted, but I didn't take the actions to bring her closer to me. Since I wasn't at a sufficient spiritual level, the women I met were at a stage where they weren't ready to fully commit. Meanwhile, I already knew this was my path, and I wanted someone who would keep everything with me, not just what was convenient for her".

Bashi didn't give up and eventually, after about two more years of serious spiritual strengthening, met his partner and entered into marriage with her. Today, they are parents to a sweet baby.

Today, Bashi uses his singing skills in the path of holiness, bringing joy to people at ultra-Orthodox weddings. He also volunteers with Rabbi Grossman's 'Or Israeli' organization, which assists wandering youth. "Helping these youths is one of the closest missions to my heart since as a teenager, I remember myself in their exact place. My message to youths seeking happiness is one and only: check in the Torah first because if there's even a one-in-a-million chance it's true, you're risking missing out on a lifetime without purpose. Isn't that a shame?! I was in your place, experienced parties, entertainment, and everything you want, just to realize that the only truth and happiness are found in the Torah. Don't waste time looking elsewhere".

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