By Nechama Bar
770 was humming as usual. The zal was full of Chassidim. A minyan was davening here, over there sat two bachurim learning, while in that corner sat a Chassid alone.
Outside stood two bachurim who had just left the beis midrash. They noticed an older woman who looked like she was looking for something.
“Can we help you?” one bachur asked.
“Are you looking for someone?”
“I came to see the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and who are you?” she asked with a big smile.
“We are Chassidim of the Rebbe and if I may ask, what brings you here now to meet with him?”
“The Rebbe saved my life and I came to thank him,” and she told them the following story:
Every afternoon, while the sun is still shining, I take a short ride in my car. This outing relaxes me. I look at the beautiful scenery and forget the difficulties of life.
Some years ago I used to take a walk, but after a frightening thing occurred on one of those walks, I switched to going out in my car.
One fine day, I was strolling near my house when suddenly, a black guy jumped out, grabbed my neck, and demanded my wallet. I tried getting away but was unable to. The assailant took out a big knife and threatened to kill me. At the last moment a police patrol car drove by and the guy saw it and fled. Since then, I don’t go for a stroll.
On that special day when my life was saved thanks to the Rebbe, I was driving as usual. I was enjoying the fresh air and the scenery and felt safe.
The traffic light changed to red. I slowed down and stopped. On my left, another car stopped that was also waiting for the green light. Through the window, I could see an older man with a white beard who sat next to the driver. In that brief glance I could tell he was a special person. I suddenly noticed that he was looking at me and motioning to me. Aha, he was trying to tell me to lock my car doors.
At first, I ignored this. Why should I lock my doors? But he did not give up. He kept looking at me and motioning to me to lock the car doors. I finally did so and pressed the button that locked all the car doors.
The light changed to green and the car with the man in it who motioned to me to lock the doors turned right while I continued driving straight. I continued driving as I pondered the man’s strange, insistent request. Why was it so important to him that I lock the doors? Why did he care if I drove with my doors unlocked?
I did not have much time to think about this before I learned the answer. The traffic light was red again and I stopped and waited for the green light. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, a big black guy quickly approached my car with a knife in his hand. Before I realized he was heading toward me, he dashed for the car door. He tried opening it and when he saw that it was locked, he went around the car and tried the door opposite me. When that failed to open too, he lifted his hand menacingly at the glass in order to break it and open the car but before he was able to do that, the light turned green.
I stepped on the gas pedal and sped away. I was saved and I could breathe a sigh of relief.
What a miracle! I don’t want to think what would have happened if the doors had been unlocked and the guy could have opened the door… Then it dawned on me. He saved my life! The man with the white beard. He didn’t care that I drove with unlocked doors; it was that he saw what would happen and wanted to protect me!
I wanted to thank the man but had no idea how to reach him. I prayed that one day I would meet him again. I owed him my life!
It took me a long time to get over that traumatic event. But slowly, day after day, it receded from my mind until I almost forgot about it. One small detail does not allow me to forget it completely – since then, I always, without fail, lock my car doors when I drive.
Yesterday I was sitting at home in front of the television when I suddenly saw a sea of people on the screen, dressed in black. They were singing unfamiliar but inspiring tunes. I noticed that all of them, young and old and even little children, were looking in one direction. I was curious about what they were focused on.
Then the camera turned toward that point and stopped in front of a man. It was the older man with the white beard and shining face! Holiness was apparent on him. Then something in my mind clicked.
I know that man! I am sure of it. Where do I know him from? I tried to think and finally figured it out. Yes, it was the man who had saved my life! He was the one who told me to lock my car doors and prevented the black guy from entering my car.
My prayer had been answered. I was determined to meet with him face to face and say thank you.
As I was thinking about how to get his address, a phone number appeared on the screen and it said you could call this number to ask questions or relate experiences. I memorized the number and called. I asked who is that man and how can I see him? That is when I learned that he is the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Now I am waiting impatiently to see him and thank him.