by Reb Gutman Locks @ Mystical Paths

His medals were earned from his service in the Russian army during the Second World War. One of them came from his having fought in the battle to capture Berlin at the close of the War. He is 87 years old, and had never put on tefillin before coming to the Kotel today.

That Russian Jews fought valiantly in that War is well known. This is no surprise. But, that he had never put on tefillin even once in his 87 years is shocking. How could it be that no one ever helped him? He didn’t argue at all when he was invited to put them on. He walked right over smiling. Does this mean that no one ever asked him? More importantly, are there old guys in your neighborhood whom you see who have never been asked, either?