My apparel company recently exhibited at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The exhibition takes place on a Monday, and it is a great day for my business.
That evening, I go out to dinner at a kosher restaurant along with several other exhibitors from the apparel show. When I return to my hotel, the Venetian, I decide to take a walk around to observe the thousands of people at the famous hotel. As I walk past a beauty care store, a young girl approaches me and says, “Here is a free sample package of lotions for your skin.” I tell her no thank you but ask if I might come into the store and sit down for a moment. She says yes. I ask for her name and where she is from. She tells me her name is Orit and that she comes from Israel.
Then she asks me where I am from. I tell her I am from New York and am attending the apparel show at the convention center. She asks when I am going back to New York. I tell her Wednesday morning.
Then she looks me in the eye and asks for a very special favor. I wonder – what could she want from me? Orit asks if I would please take a letter to the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s resting place. She says she needs a blessing from the Rebbe.
I am floored. Of course, I say it would be my pleasure to take her letter.
She starts to write the letter, and then two other girls working in the store ask Orit what she is doing. She tells them she is writing a letter to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, asking for a blessing. Both girls say, “We also want to write to the Rebbe for a blessing.” Then a fourth girl comes over and hears what is going on. She wants to write a letter to the Rebbe as well.
Now I have four envelopes in my hand to take to the Rebbe’s Ohel.
The owner of the store then walks in and asks about what is happening. Orit tells the owner, Yosef Yitzchak, that this gentleman from New York, meaning me, is taking their letters to the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s resting place in Queens.
Now he also wants to write to the Rebbe asking for a blessing. Suddenly I have five envelopes to take to the Ohel.
I leave the store in awe of what just happened.
On Sunday morning, back in New York, I go to the Ohel, the Rebbe’s resting place in Cambria Heights, Queens with the five envelopes.
And I thank Hashem for giving me the opportunity to perform this unusual mitzvah. May we all continue learning Torah and performing mitzvot until the arrival of Moshiach Tzidkeinu.