One Sentence That Changed a Life: The Traffic Light Story That Sparked True Self Reflection

Rabbi Goel Elkarif recounts in his inspiring book Na’eh Doresh the immense power of a single moment of self reflection:

Rabbi Yosef Pinchasi, who dedicates much of his time to bringing Jews closer to Torah, was once driving along a highway during an ordinary trip. He waited patiently at a red traffic light when the driver in the car beside him noticed him and apparently recognized who he was. Soon enough, the man called out through his open window in a teasing tone: “Rabbi, until the light turns green you have a chance to make me repent.”

Tell me, how can someone inspire repentance in half a minute?

Most people would likely ignore such a remark, which sounded like nothing more than a joke. But Rabbi Pinchasi did not hesitate. Instead, he replied, “Drive forward! Why did you stop?”

The driver answered, “I can’t go. The light is red!”

“So what if you drive through a red light?” the rabbi responded. “There’s no police here.”

“What do you mean drive on red?” the man said. “Maybe there’s a hidden camera. I could get caught, receive a big fine, and lose points on my license.”

“Perhaps there’s also a camera above,” the rabbi said quietly.

At that exact moment the light turned green, and both cars sped off, each going its own way.

Several months passed. One day, a man approached Rabbi Pinchasi, wearing a kippah with tzitzit hanging from his garments, and warmly greeted him. The rabbi did not recognize him and asked, “Who are you?”

“I’m from the camera above,” the man replied with a smile. “The one from the traffic light…”

It turned out that the single sentence the rabbi had spoken penetrated deeply into his heart, shook him profoundly, and led him to complete repentance.

A powerful reminder of the impact that even one brief moment of honest self reflection can have.