Sometimes life’s detours lead to the most meaningful encounters. Rabbi Moshe Greene of Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv learned this one afternoon in Queens, when a flat tire outside his home turned into a heartfelt conversation that has stayed with him ever since.

As he waited for roadside assistance, a man named Donny arrived to help. To Rabbi Greene’s surprise, Donny, who was Latino and in his sixties, greeted him in fluent Yiddish. When asked how he learned the language, Donny smiled and shared that years ago, during his career with the NYPD, he had been assigned to protect the Satmar Rebbe, Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum zt”l. On duty at public events and private gatherings, Donny often blended in by wearing the traditional dress of the community, all while keeping a watchful eye on the Rebbe’s safety.

As they spoke, Donny’s tone shifted. He recalled learning about Jewish history, how nearly 2,000 years ago, the Beis Hamikdash was destroyed because of sinat chinam, baseless hatred. Then, looking directly at Rabbi Greene, he asked:

“If you all are so smart, with your Yiddishe Kop, how come in two thousand years you haven’t figured out how to get along so G-d can rebuild your Temple?”

The question was simple, yet it cut straight to the heart. Rabbi Greene could only pause, realizing there was no easy answer.

A gentle reminder that unity doesn’t always come from grand gestures, it begins with small acts: a warm greeting, a smile, a kind word. If each of us takes a step toward one another, we can move closer to the day when division is replaced with peace, and the Beis Hamikdash stands once again.

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