leiby and tzitis heart-warming and heart wrenching story

dear Editor,

having an issue with my nineyear-

old, may he live and be well

until 120, who refuses to wear

size and shape,

but to no avail.

Every morning,

I asked him to

show me that he

had them on, so

he showed me the strings. What I

the begged around his waist or

put them in his pants or pocket.

I would find them in the car, in

his knapsack, or in his lunch box.

This became a daily argument.

This past Sukkos, there was

a fi re in our neighborhood that

claimed the life of a nine-year-old

boy. When my son heard about

the recent tragedy of Leiby Kletzky

I asked him what message

he wants to take from the episode.

He immediately put on a pair of

tzitzis now. I will wear them for

son asks me to stop whatever I

am doing while he says out loud,

makes a bracha and I answer,

I felt the tremendous need to

be menachem avel the Kletzky

family. I needed to give some sort

of comfort to them. Not knowing

them, I went with this story.

Shomrim members were not allowing

anyone into the home at

the time, but for some odd reason

I was allowed in. I asked to

see both parents and I was allowed

into the room. I fi rst asked

for permission to speak. Then I

apologized, since I did not know

them. Then I went on to relate

this tzitzis story. With tears in

their eyes, they both began to

moment of comfort since Leiby

me to please follow up with

them, as they very much want to

know how my son is keeping up.

A few days later, I received

a call from a Shomrim member

asking if I am the lady from Flatbush

who came to them with the

story about the boy with the tzitzis.

When I told them that I am,

they said that the parents asked if

I can bring my son to them.

The following day, I went to

the Kletzkys with my son. Reb

Nachman Kletzky stood up and

gave my son a kiss. He then said,

you, but that kiss is directly from

I received a call that the parents

would like my son to have a pair

I asked my son if he minds

people knowing about this story.

and I am only nine years

old, then maybe people will learn

from this story and also change

D. L.