Always
Remember Who Did This Miracle For You
Ayal
was a young boy standing on the Rebbe’s platform next to the shtender.
He looked curiously at the figure who was crying, covered by a tallis.
It was the tefilla of Ne’ila, and although he knew
this was a special tefilla, he did not appreciate the
gravity of the moment. It bothered him to hear the Rebbe cry, and
he wondered why he did so. Ayal did not realize that the Rebbe was
praying for his well-being, for the doctors had told his father
that Ayal had only three months left to live.
Ayal
had been having constant headaches for a few weeks. He was the
11-year-old son of an Israeli diplomat who worked at the Israeli
Consulate in New York. The family had left Eretz Yisroel
for two years, and Ayal went to a local Jewish school.
The
Israeli Consulate had celebrated the release of the Jewish
hostages in Entebbe just a few days before. Ayal had attended the
party, too. He looked proudly at his father who was shaking the
hands of famous and wealthy Jews.
The
party was when the terrible headaches began. He complained and was
given aspirin, but the pain did not abate.
The
doctor who examined him confirmed the parents’ suspicion of a
virus and recommended bed rest. Three weeks passed and finally the
headaches disappeared. But then one day, when Ayal’s parents
were busy with their day-to-day activities, Ayal woke up with a
headache again, a stabbing pain on the right side of his head, so
deep and painful he couldn’t tolerate it. The doctor sent Ayal
for tests at a top Manhattan hospital.
Another
two weeks passed. Ayal’s parents came home from work to be
greeted by Ayal. Although his father smiled and his mother patted
him on the head, he noticed their red and swollen eyes. Something
was wrong, but his father reassured him that nothing had happened
and that he hoped everything would be fine. Ayal knew that
something was going on, and he knew that it had something to do
with his headaches.
At
supper, Ayal demanded to know what they were hiding from him.
After much hesitation, Ayal’s father leveled with his son,
telling him the doctors had discovered a tumor. Ayal did not fully
comprehend the significance of what had been said, yet seeing his
father’s shaking hand and his mother’s tears led him to ask,
“Is it bad?” His father admitted it wasn’t good but that
they would overcome it.
From
that day forward, Ayal underwent a plethora of tests, treatments,
pain and sorrow.
*
* *
Erev
Yom Kippur 5737. Jews had come from all over the metropolitan
area, joining with the guests and Chassidim who had come to spend
Tishrei with the Rebbe. They stood there for hours waiting to
receive lekach (honey cake) from the Rebbe along with a
blessing for a good and sweet year.
Among
the thousands of black hats and shtreimlach, the two white yarmulkes
of Ayal and his father stood out. A friend who worked at the
Consulate had suggested that they get a bracha from the
Lubavitcher Rebbe. The Rebbe’s miracles were well known, and
what better way to spend the holy day of Yom Kippur than with the
Rebbe. A Lubavitcher who regularly visited the Consulate made
arrangements for a place for them to stay, and now they awaited
the Rebbe’s blessing.
The
Rebbe usually smiled at children, but that Erev Yom Kippur he did
not smile at Ayal. The Rebbe wished them a good and sweet year
with a very somber look on his face.
Ayal’s
father sent him to their host’s home to break his fast and rest
until Ne’ila. The pushing and crowding were intensifying
as the time for Napoleon’s March neared. The Rebbe suddenly
raised his tallis and gazed at the crowd with a grim look
on his face before turning to his secretary. The secretary then
announced that all the children in shul were to go up to
the Rebbe’s bima (platform). People made way for the
children, wondering what the Rebbe’s intentions were.
The
Rebbe stood there watching and waiting. Ayal’s father was beside
himself. Why did I send Ayal home? He could have been standing
next to the Rebbe! He left a long time ago. Why hadn’t he come
back yet?
Hundreds
of children were on the bima. The chazan was eager
to continue davening, but the Rebbe was still waiting.
Finally, another child suddenly arrived. It was Ayal, who was
lifted over the crowd to the Rebbe’s bima. His father
breathed a sigh of relief. As soon as Ayal stood on the bima,
the Rebbe led the singing of “Avinu Malkeinu.” Those
who stood near the Rebbe could hear the Rebbe crying. Finally,
when the davening was over, the Rebbe smiled as he looked
at the children.
*
* *
Late
at night, Ayal’s parents were getting ready for bed. Ayal
emerged from his bedroom and announced, “I think the headache is
gone. I want you to take me for tests immediately.”
Ayal’s
father was worn out. He was unused to fasting and the crush and
heat of 770, and he simply told Ayal to go and get a good
night’s sleep. They had an appointment for more tests scheduled
in four days time. They thought they would wait until then to
check out their son’s claim. But Ayal insisted that he was
perfectly fine and that he wanted to be tested immediately to
prove it. He seemed so sure of himself that his parents agreed to
have the appointment moved up to the next day.
A
few days later during supper, Ayal’s father burst into the house
and while crying and laughing managed to say, “You were
right!”
Ayal
and his father went to thank the Rebbe personally during the Hakafos
of Simchas Torah. The Israeli Ambassador to the U.N., Mr.
Chayim Herzog, took a group of people who worked at the Consulate
to the Rebbe, Ayal and his father among them. They were given a
place near the Rebbe, who gave them special attention. When the
Rebbe turned to Ayal’s father, the latter presented his son to
him.
“Thank
you Rebbe. I am well,” said Ayal shyly. Ayal’s father
emotionally added, “The Rebbe saved his life!” The Rebbe
smiled and waved away the comments saying, “Give thanks to
Hashem, and always remember that He did this miracle for you.”
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