Blessings And Merits Like No Other

During the winter of last year, during the time of masks and lockdowns, a young lady named Malka, the granddaughter of a prominent Rosh HaYeshivah, was in a seminary in Eretz Yisrael. Her parents were planning a trip to come visit from the U.S. Unfortunately, Malka was unwell, so she decided to go to the kupat cholim (medical clinic). While she was waiting in line a horrible feeling overcame the young woman, perhaps it was a symptom of her high fever. It was a really long wait, and her facial covering was getting extremely uncomfortable. So, she asked the person behind her to save her place in line, and went outside for a five-minute breather. When she returned, several weary patients mistakenly believing she had just cut the line, began berating her, “What a chutzpah; how dare you cut the line!” Malka was terribly humiliated, but held herself from answering anything sharp. Several minutes later, it was her turn. She went in, successfully saw the doctor, received her care, and departed.

Outside, Malka was stopped by a woman in her forties who related, “I saw what happened. You were wrongfully embarrassed, yet you didn’t answer back. I know Hashem answers t’filot, especially from someone like you.” The woman then proceeded with a request, “Would you do me a favor? Tonight, when you pray arvit, would you daven for my daughter? She is going through two separate difficulties. She is expecting, and the doctor says the baby may not make it. Also, my daughter has a toddler at home who is about to start treatment for cancer. We desperately need Hashem’s mercy!”

“Sure, absolutely I will pray,” Malka replied. She took the names to have in mind, and in turn, the woman jotted down Malka’s cell number that she eventually gave over to her daughter.

Several days later, Malka was at the hotel with her parents, as they were packing to return to America. As they began to depart for the airport, Malka’s phone rang. The doctor of the woman’s grandchild was on the line explaining that he had been about to administer treatment for the baby when he chose to run a final routine x-ray. Astonishingly, the test revealed that the cancer had vanished without a trace! A miracle indeed! The doctor continued, “The mother of the baby offered me your telephone number; she wanted you to hear the great news directly from me!” Thereafter, Malka escorted her parents who left Israel uneventfully.

Once they landed, Malka informed her parents of yet another interesting phone call. “After you departed, the mother of the child announced that she had just given birth to a beautiful, healthy daughter!”Before informing her own parents of the remarkable news, the young mother phoned Malka to share in the joy as she wanted her to be the first to know! “Thank you for your t’filot!”

While there are those who want to cause division between us as a nation, and between us and our Creator, klal Yisrael is resilient. May we merit to see the g’ulah hastily, and bask in delight as Hashem rids the world of the yetzer harah, speedily in our days!

 ________________

The preceeding story was related by Rabbi Engel, head counselor of Camp Chevra of Lakewood who told it over at the end-of-summer banquet. Rabbi Engel heard the details from the doctor discussed, and knows the family involved.  

Signed,

N.S.