Someone emailed this to me last year, right before Halloween – I thought it was beautiful and worth sharing.
Rav & Rebbitzen Pam and Halloween
My father-in-law studied in Rav Avraham Pam’s (1913-2001,
the late Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Torah Vodaas)
shiur in Mesivta Torah Vodaas for several years back in the 1960s.
When my wife’s older sister became engaged in the 1990s, my in-laws
took my (future) sister-in-law and my (future) brother-in-law over to
meet Rav and Rebbitzen Pam to receive their beracha and good wishes.
What’s the most vivid memory they all have of that evening?
It was October 31st. In contrast to the many Jewish homes around the
Pams who had turned off their lights to discourage trick-or-treaters,
the Pams left their front light on.
While they all chatted with Rav Pam in the dining room, his rebbitzen
was in the kitchen working the hot-air popcorn popper and preparing
plastic baggies of popcorn to give out with a smile to all the local
non-Jewish kids who knocked at their door.
They all left that night with numerous smiles, berachos, and best
wishes from Rav Pam and his Rebbitzen – but what they all remember
most is the powerful lesson the Pams taught them about interacting
with their neighbors.
Rabbi Akiva Males
Harrisburg, PA