A Thief’s Prayer

Starting this week: A weekly Hasidic story to print and enjoy on Shabbat – from us to you.

A broken-hearted father came to the Baal Shem Tov. His son was dying. “Rebbe,” he begged, “please save him.”

The Baal Shem Tov didn’t hesitate. He told his assistant: “Find me ten Jewish men—but they must all be thieves.”

The assistant was shocked, but obeyed. One by one, he gathered ten known thieves from the town and brought them to the Rebbe.

When they arrived, the Baal Shem Tov spoke from the depths of his heart. Something in his words stirred theirs. The ten men—each with a troubled past—began to pray with raw, honest feeling.

And then—the child recovered.

“Why thieves?” the students asked.

The Baal Shem Tov smiled:

“The gates of Heaven were locked. I needed those who know how to break through locked gates.”

But maybe, just maybe, the real miracle was this: that people so distant could suddenly pray with such sincerity. Their hearts opened—and Heaven responded.

Every true prayer is heard. That’s the message.