The Power of Silence: When 5,000 Jews Took Action

Rabbi Shmuel Baruch Genut shared a striking story in his weekly column about the importance of maintaining the sanctity of the synagogue and avoiding idle talk during prayer.

Many great Torah sages have stressed the seriousness of speaking in the synagogue during prayer and the Torah reading. In recent years, leading rabbis have encouraged Jews everywhere to strengthen themselves in this area and to remain silent throughout the entire prayer service, from beginning to end.

Rabbi Genut then related a remarkable story that was told to him personally by Rabbi Meir Azarzar, a Torah scholar from Elad who served for many years as rabbi of the Shuva Yisrael community in Hong Kong. Today Rabbi Azarzar is involved in spreading Jewish values throughout the Far East and frequently travels between Israel and Asia.

A Desperate Phone Call

Shortly before Passover, Rabbi Azarzar met Rabbi Genut and shared the following story.

About a year earlier, Rabbi Azarzar had traveled to the United States to meet a major donor who might support outreach programs in the Far East. Just minutes before the meeting began, his phone rang repeatedly.

When he answered, he told the caller, Gilad, that he would have to return the call after the meeting. But Gilad began to cry and said:

"Rabbi, you officiated at my wedding two years ago. I have an eight month old baby girl, and they discovered a terrible disease in my wife's bones. The doctors told me there is nothing to be done. They say she may live only another month and a half. What should I do?"

Rabbi Azarzar was shaken by the call. He immediately gave Gilad the following advice:

"Tomorrow morning take your baby daughter to the synagogue. Knock on the bimah and say: ‘If you do not want my little girl to become an orphan, I ask each of you to accept upon yourselves not to talk during the prayer.’"

He added that after returning to Israel they would meet and discuss what else could be done.

Turning to Heaven

Two days later they met in Elad. Rabbi Azarzar spoke openly with Gilad.

"If the doctors had told you there was a specialist in Boston who might help, or that Rabbi Firer had an idea, you might think you could rely on human solutions. But now the doctors have told you clearly that there is nothing more they can do. You are entirely in the hands of the Creator of the world."

Rabbi Azarzar then suggested a bold step.

"Print five thousand commitment cards for people to sign, pledging not to speak during the prayer for forty days. Gather five thousand signatures, and I promise faithfully that you will raise children and grandchildren together with your wife."

Gilad accepted the challenge.

Five Thousand Commitments

Gilad went to receive a blessing and guidance from Rabbi Gershon Edelstein, who encouraged him to begin immediately and to collect signatures in the great yeshivot.

He went to the Ponevezh Yeshiva and gathered signatures from many students. He then traveled from synagogue to synagogue and from yeshiva to yeshiva, continuing until five thousand Jews had committed themselves not to speak during prayer for forty days.

A Prayer at the Graves of the Sages

Some time later Rabbi Azarzar traveled to Poland with a group. While visiting the grave of the Tosafot Yom Tov in Krakow, he prayed with deep emotion.

He cried out that thousands of Jews had accepted upon themselves to remain silent during prayer on behalf of Rivka Esther bat Naomi, and asked that the merit stand for her recovery.

A Remarkable Recovery

The results were extraordinary.

The woman recovered, and the tumor disappeared. She returned to full health.

Overjoyed, her husband printed another five thousand commitment cards and continued encouraging Jews to accept upon themselves the practice of remaining silent during prayer.

The Sanctity of the Synagogue

Rabbi Genut concluded by quoting early Torah sources that stress the importance of maintaining the sanctity of the synagogue.

The Sages taught that when a plague spreads in a city, a person should be especially careful in the synagogue. Early commentators explained that careless speech during prayer can damage the spiritual protection that the synagogue provides.

This powerful story reminds us of the holiness of the synagogue and the importance of treating prayer with proper respect. Remaining silent during prayer is not only a matter of proper conduct but also a source of great spiritual merit and blessing.