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קטגוריה: Shabbos Stories

פורסם בחמישי, 19 נובמבר 2020 18:47

נכתב על ידי Super User

כניסות: 498

The Baba Sali Blesses a Soldier

A young soldier was injured during the Yom Kippur War, and after a number of operations was still unable to move one of his legs. The condition of that leg so deteriorated, that he feared it had be amputated. In the meantime, he was in a wheelchair, and was very depressed over his situation.
His friends suggested that he go to Netivot for a blessing from Harav Yisrael Abuchatzira, the Baba Sali. The soldier, who was far from Torah observance, was reluctant to go. But his friends encouraged him and told him many stories about miracles which had occurred on the merit of that tzaddik.

Convinced, the soldier went to the tzaddik’s home and told him about his injury and the problem with his leg. The tzaddik listened to his story and asked him if he laid tefillin every day.

“No," the soldier replied.

“Do you keep Shabbos?” the tzaddik continued.

“No,” the soldier said.

“If that is so”, the Rav said in surprise, “you must thank Hashem that one foot is healthy! We derive our strength from Hashem, and if we don't do His will, He can take away what he gave us, and totally paralyze us. Since you don’t observe Torah and mitzvot, your healthy leg is a free gift.”

Hearing this, the soldier burst into bitter tears, stirring all those in the room. Looking the soldier in his eyes, the Rav asked him: “If I bless you with a complete recovery, and you are able to stand on your feet, will you be prepared to accept Torah’s yoke?”

“Yes,” the soldier replied.

”If so, give me your hand,” Harav Abuchatzira then said, “and I will bless you with a complete recovery so that you will be able to serve Him.”

After the soldier kissed the Rav’s hand, those in the room told him to stand up. To his surprise, he managed to stand, and even to take a few steps without any help. Still stunned by the huge change in his situation, the soldier tried to walk faster, and soon found himself beside the Rav’s door. Then he jumped outside and looked for a public telephone. “The nearest one,” passersby told him “is in Yeshivat Ha’Negev.”

The soldier ran to the yeshiva, and with excitedly told his family what had happened in the Rav’s home. Those of the yeshiva students, who stood near the phone listened to his story in amazement. Joining hands, they broke into dance along with the soldier, who thanked Hashem for the great miracle.

The overjoyed soldier kept his promise and changed his lifestyle from top to bottom. He, though, wasn’t the only one who did teshuva at that time. Many who heard the story or had been present when the miracle had occurred did not forget it, and grew stronger in their faith and yir’at Shamayim (reverence).