My Brother Journeys Forward

Pinchus' Hachnosas Tefillin

           

             The Fall 2014 semester began at Oakland Community College with me taking a class I didn’t plan on: Creative Writing. I had planned to take the class in the upcoming winter, however it was in my shopping cart and I accidentally clicked ‘Register’.

            Someone else also didn’t plan on taking the class, yet did so for the English credits he needed. His name was Brandon Rosenblatt.

            I entered the classroom and saw a familiar face, Brandon looks quite a bit like myself, so I sat down next to him and inquired his name. Upon hearing his last name, I immediately asked if he was Jewish. He hesitantly responded yes, but was quick to inform me that he is not religious in any sense of the word – nor does he plan on being. I let the topic drop for the time being.

            As the semester was nearing its end, I asked Brandon if he would like to join my family for a Shabbos meal. He said no thanks and that he hasn’t been religious since he was twelve years old. That won’t change. Once again I dropped the subject for next while.

            Brandon and I quickly became close friends. We would hang out a bit when possible and, at the time, planned on transferring to the same college together. Mid-August I asked Brandon to show me around Oakland University and he agreed. While waiting for the bus to arrive, I asked him if he would like to join me at my brother Red’s home for the upcoming Friday night Shabbos meal. He somewhat reluctantly agreed.

            As the special meal grew closer, Brandon became slightly more excited and even began to anticipate the occasion. He asked what should he expect and I explained the basic schedule of events. He joined me for the Shabbos day services at the Woodward Avenue Shul and then we parted ways. That Shabbos was unbelievable and it was the beginning of a new Brandon.

            Shortly after Brandon began wearing a Yarmulka at One Stop, where he works as a cashier. Sukkos came around and Brandon and his uncle, Louis, was invited to my sister’s house for one of the Yom Tov meals. Brandon called me in advanced and asked me to bring him something for the meal: a pair of Tzitzis so he can start wearing them.

            And now, about a month later, he has been keeping Shabbos frequently with the amazing guidance of the Kogan family, who have taken him in like a son, and he asked me Shabbos morning to help him put on Tefillin later on in the week for his very first time.

            This morning, the 30^th of Marcheshvan, 5776, Brandon, now known as Pinchus, woke up early and together we learned the laws of Tefillin. Afterwards the moment arrived. We began with reciting the day’s Hayom Yom and then as the niggun of the Bar Mitzvah Maamer flowed throughout the room, Brandon/Pinchus donned Tefillin for his first time. Reciting vital prayers together with him, word by word, brought tears to my eyes. I watched in admiration as he silently spoke with Hashem. Once completed with his prayers the room burst with the song Siman Tov U’Mazel Tov blasting through the speakers as we took off the Tefillin and wrapped them up; my soul was bursting with joy for my brother.

            My dear Pinchus, may you only grow from this moment on as you embark further on your journey of spirituality. Know that I am always with you and will never leave your side. May today be the first of many and just one of the many firsts you will take into your soul. May these straps be your rope to pull you closer to G-d, one mitzvah at a time.