Coming Home
One of my disciples was originally distant from a Torah lifestyle. But Hashem obviously did not give up on him. He therefore sent a serious illness his way. In the wake of this malady, my disciple awoke from his wayward ways and made his way back to his roots.
I remember that when the disease had originally been discovered, I had spoken with his father, who also was distant from Torah and mitzvot. I encouraged him to reinforce various aspects of Jewish behavior, in order to bring merit to his sick son.
But the father was not easily convinced. “What’s the connection between physical healing and adopting a Torah lifestyle?” he demanded.
I replied, “Hashem created man with 613 body parts, corresponding to the 613 mitzvot. When a disease spreads throughout the body, it can be eradicated by strengthening oneself in mitzvah observance.”
The father heard what I said and agreed to fortify himself in specific areas.
B’chasdei Hashem, the father’s renewed mitzvah observance proved to be the solution for his son’s cure. The boy was completely healed, against all of the doctors’ dire predictions. He merited joining his father in his search for his roots. Today, this young man occupies a seat in the Beit Hamidrash and studies Torah day and night, bringing pleasure to his Heavenly Father.
