A Heavenly-ordained Heads-up
I was once receiving people in a foreign country. A woman approached me and asked for a blessing for general success in the merit of my holy ancestors. For some unknown reason, I instructed her to do an MRI.
The woman was most surprised. “What for? I am not sick, chas v’shalom. Why should I have an examination of my head?”
But I stood my ground. “Check that everything is okay with you.”
One year later, I had to meet with an esteemed Rav in that country, in order to ask for a specific favor. Once again, I found myself treading its soil. It was most unlikely that the Rav would accede to my request, but I did what was incumbent on me and went to meet with him.
To my utter surprise and delight, the Rav greeted me most warmly and immediately complied with my request. Additionally, he handed me a sizeable sum of money, stating, “I will forever be indebted to you.”
Now I was truly flabbergasted. “What do you mean?” I asked. “We hardly know each other!”
But he knew what he was talking about. “I heard that one year ago, you told Mrs. So-and-so to undergo a series of tests on her head, for no apparent reason. The woman did as you ordered and discovered that she had a malignant tumor. Since it was only in the beginning stages, it was still treatable. I was so moved by this account that I decided I must act charitably toward you, to show everyone the power of your fathers’ merits.”
I was truly astounded by his words. I felt that Hashem had sent me as an emissary in order to prepare the remedy before the malady. I thought I was just giving this woman good advice about her general health. But Heaven ordained that I should say those words, in order to save her life and obtain the favor I needed.
