Rabbi Shares Decades-Old Lesson on Jewish Peoplehood from Father

Rabbi Shabtai Sabato, head of the Mitzpe Yericho Yeshiva, recounted a deeply personal story from his youth that taught him a profound lesson about the Jewish people. Decades ago, as a young and critical man, Rabbi Sabato was disturbed by secular Jews driving on Shabbat. He expressed his pain and criticism to his father, who remained silent.

After half a year passed, on Yom Kippur, Rabbi Sabato and his father walked through the same streets. This time, the streets were quiet, with no cars or motorcycles in sight. His father then asked him why he had been so critical on that previous Shabbat, pointing to the quiet streets on Yom Kippur as evidence of the inherent holiness within the Jewish people.

Rabbi Sabato explained that his father's deliberate silence and subsequent lesson on Yom Kippur, rather than an immediate argument, left an indelible mark on him. The experience, which occurred decades ago, continues to shape his perspective on how to view the Jewish people, emphasizing a deeper connection to their spirituality that can be revealed at opportune moments.