Miracle in Shanghai: How Honoring Shabbat Saved Lives

A Difficult Decision

In 1941, as the dark clouds of World War II cast an ominous shadow on European Jews, the young students of the Mir Yeshiva faced an agonizing dilemma. Having miraculously escaped Nazi-occupied Europe, they found temporary refuge in Shanghai, China. Now, a critical choice confronted them: Should they board a ship bound for the United States on Shabbat to potentially save their lives? Or, should they delay their journey to uphold their deep commitment to Jewish law?

The students had already endured a harrowing journey, fleeing Nazi-controlled Vilna and arriving in Shanghai under extraordinarily harsh conditions. Economic hardship and constant danger surrounded them, and their leaders urgently sought to immigrate to the safety of North America. Finally, news arrived: visas for the United States and Canada had been granted to several dozen students.

However, the visas arrived on Thursday and needed to be processed immediately at the American consulate. Because the consulate was closed on Friday, their only option was to appear on Shabbat. A vigorous debate erupted among the students. They understood the gravity of the situation. On the one hand, violating Shabbat was a severe matter. At the same time, this seemed to involve saving lives, a situation described as "pikuach nefesh" which warranted violating Shabbat.  Ultimately, they reached a firm resolution: they would not violate Shabbat. They would wait until Sunday.

Divine Protection Revealed

Early Sunday morning, the students approached the American consulate and were met by an astonished official. "Why didn't you come yesterday? The ship has already left! Now you need to wait for the next one," he informed them.

The students returned to the yeshiva without regret. They trusted deeply that honoring Shabbat would not harm them and proclaimed confidently, "Shabbat stands above all, and no harm can come from fulfilling a mitzvah (commandment)." Yet the next ship never arrived. Soon after, the conflict between Japan and the United States intensified, closing borders and leaving the students stranded for the duration of the war.

Only after the war did the students realize the astonishing Divine intervention that had protected them. The very ship they had missed was intercepted by the Japanese navy. All passengers were captured and sent to brutal concentration camps in Southeast Asia, where many perished under horrific conditions.

Had the Mir students violated Shabbat, their fate might have been similarly tragic. Their unwavering commitment, initially seen as missing a vital opportunity, turned out to be a miraculous rescue from almost certain death.

This extraordinary episode is a powerful testament about the protective power of observing Shabbat, even under dire circumstances. The students' courage and faith continue to inspire, reminding us of the timeless strength and spiritual protection granted by dedication to tradition and faith.