A police patrol car stopped Rabbi Yigal Cohen’s vehicle on Monday night, surprising both the rabbi and onlookers. At first, it seemed the officers had pulled over his driver, but within moments it became clear the two officers were waiting to receive a blessing from him.
A video of the encounter spread quickly online, drawing hundreds of thousands of views and many reactions. In the clip, Cohen first asks the female officer for her name, and she answers, “Malka bat Michal.” He blesses her, saying, “May you merit a proper match, a righteous husband and righteous children. Abundant livelihood and long life.”
He then turns to the male officer seated beside her and asks his name. The officer replies with a smile, “I am Nidal.” Cohen asks whether he is married, hears that he is not, and blesses him as well: “Nidal, may God give you blessing and success.” He adds, “May you merit a good wife, good livelihood and long life. Be healthy and may God protect you.”
The officer’s name, which revealed his background, did not change Cohen’s tone. The video prompted praise from viewers, many of whom praised the rabbi for showing respect to a non-Jewish officer and for treating people without distinctions of religion, race, or gender. One follower even addressed Nidal directly online, telling him he had received a blessing from the rabbi and asking if he understood how significant that was.
