Community Magazine August 2016

46 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE around for a wrench. Alas, he couldn’t find one. “I’m on Route 95 in the Carolinas,” the Rabbi says, painting the scene. “There was nothing close by.” His wife advised him to call AAA. “They asked where we were,” the Rabbi relays, “so I went to look for a road marker. I took about three steps from the car and what do I find? A four-way wrench!” Rabbi Abisror’s voice sparkles at the memory. “Hashem gave me a flat tire exactly where I could find a wrench to help me. At that moment, I needed a wrench and Hashem showed me His hand. He showed me, ‘I’m here for you.’ I was so impressed and overwhelmed, I forgot all about my problems.” If you think the miracle is over, it’s not. “As I come closer to my car,” the Rabbi continues, “a tow truck lands right behind me! He had come to help me. I asked, ‘How much is it going to cost me?’ And you know what the man said? No charge.” Thanks to the professional equipment aboard the tow truck, the tire was fixed in all of two minutes. “So you see, the hashgacha peratit went further,” the Rabbi insists. “Hashem gave me the wrench, but he didn’t want me to use it. As if He was telling me, ‘My son, I don’t want you to work hard. I don’t want you to get dirty. Here’s someone to do the work for you.’ I thought I would be stuck on that highway for at least an hour. Instead, I was on my way in 15 minutes and, more importantly, I had a newfound perspective on life.” The Rabbi shares this story frequently in his classes. He does it to inspire others to continue believing in Hashem, even when all seems hopeless – and to urge them to enact their own sense of urgency too. It is this combination of hishtadlut and emuna that has guided the Rabbi throughout his life. He steps in when needed, uses his gifts as best he can and trusts that Hashem will do the rest. There’s no denying what Hashem has enabled him to do so far – perpetuate, far and wide, the traditions he so loves. The Rabbi and his wife have seven children Yossi (Miami, FL), Michel (Deal, NJ), Eli (Deal, NJ), Baruch (Anchorage, AK), Tovi (Brooklyn, NY), Orli (Aventura, FL), and Yisrael (Miami Beach, FL). Though so spread out in terms of where they live with their families, they have one thing in common – they all continue to follow in their father’s footsteps working with their respective communities to make a practical and spiritual difference. As for the Rabbi himself, he has tremendously enriched both the Syrian and South Floridian communities. His home is always open for Shabbat meals and he has so enjoyed his experiences with community members. “The community is great – vibrant,” he attests. “Everybody I connect with has beautiful neshamot. They’re beautiful people. I hope to continue to work with them to build our community.” We thank Rabbi Abisror for his contributions and for his compassion. The ripple effects of his stories and actions are no doubt still being realized. Gd willing, he, with his trademark personality, will continue to inspire many others to follow in the ways of Hashem. Rabbi Abisror with his son Tovi (on left) and his brother, Moshe Abisror.