A Medical Miracle
The following letter attests to the simple faith in Hashem as the Healer of all flesh. It was written by a woman who wishes to publicize her miracle, in order to make a kiddush Hashem:
It all began in 1993, when I was expecting my youngest son, who was born on October 29 of that year. We named him David Moshe in honor of the Rav, shlita, and in memory of his father, a”h.
At a doctor’s visit, the doctor noticed a lump on my chest. I had felt it previously, but since it didn’t hurt, I didn’t pay it much attention. When the doctor made note of it, I promised him that immediately after birth, I would take care of it.
Two and a half months later, my son was born. I made an appointment for a routine check-up. The doctor once again noted the lump. He was concerned and pressed me to arrange for a visit to a specialist. He recommended Professor Green of the hospital in Lyon.
The appointment was set for February, 1994. When I arrived, Professor Green instructed me to undergo a series of tests to clarify the source of the swelling. He wanted me to take blood tests, a CT, and, of course, a biopsy for lab testing.
I returned to Professor Green’s office three weeks later. He solemnly informed me that I had a malignant growth in the chest. It was a rare case of cancer. He added that I didn’t have long to live. Maybe a few weeks, or a few months, at most. He recommended I try chemotherapy.
For various technical reasons, no one had accompanied me on this doctor’s visit. I was now left all alone to face the terrible tidings. Bitter tears welled up in my eyes as I exited the doctor’s office. I was in a state of shock. I remember those most difficult moments and until this day, I don’t know how I managed to walk home.
I could not put any food into my mouth or sleep at night. I constantly thought of my precious family. How could I leave my husband and four young children all alone? This thought haunted me and gave me no peace. I cried without letup.
I was beset by headaches, and I suffered dizzy spells and vomiting. I began having memory lapses. I took enormous amounts of medications to relieve the pain. But nothing helped. I lay in bed all day long. The only thing that had any effect was morphine. I took eight tablets a day. I was addicted to drugs, always carrying them wherever I went. If I happened to forget my tablets at home, the pain was unbearable.
Without much choice, I made an appointment for chemotherapy. But when I saw how little confidence the professor himself had in any improvement, I cancelled the appointment.
I spent a long time sunk in thought. I finally came to the conclusion that everything is in the hands of Heaven. If Hashem, Who gave me a husband and four children, decreed that I should leave the world at this time, so be it.
Dazed by the morphine, I made a resolution. I would tend to my family and home. Putting action to words, I functioned as though I was fine.
One day, my husband, who studies in the institutions of Rabbi David Pinto, shlita, approached the Rav. Even before he opened his mouth to tell the Rav my story, the Rav told him how very, very sick I was. He then blessed me with a complete recovery in the merit of his holy ancestors.
The following Sunday, I accompanied my husband to the Rav. The Rav was extremely angry with me for refusing the treatments which could save my life.
My motives in refusing to undergo chemotherapy were justified, I felt. A few years earlier, my father, may he rest in peace, had also been diagnosed with cancer. He had suffered excruciatingly from the chemotherapy. Watching him suffer so was traumatic for us, his family. I was determined that my husband and children not see me in such a state, with no hair, lying in bed, sapped of all strength.
I had complete trust in Hashem that He could cure me. Every day, I prayed for a miracle, if not for me, then for my family, whom I love above all else.
I held out for six months. I became aggressive in my fight for life. But in the end, I was limp like a corpse.
Sometime around Pesach, I made an appointment to meet with Rav Pinto, shlita, before he traveled to Los Angeles for Pesach. The Rav decided to change my name to Sara Bracha. He then lifted his hands and blessed me that I merit a complete recovery in the merit of his holy ancestors.
I can never thank the Rav enough for all the prayers he poured forth on my behalf throughout my entire illness, and for all of the berachot, said from the depths of his tremendous heart. In their merit, I emerged from darkness to light.
My husband, who could not stand by as I withered away, made an appointment with another specialist. I entered his office with a fat file. The good doctor examined me. He then did a CT. His words to me were, “Madame, I don’t know what is going on here. Your growth has completely disappeared.”
The doctor, lacking any logical explanation, repeated the tests a few times. I remained in his office for two full hours, until it was conclusively determined that I was completely free of the tumor. I sat in the doctor’s office, stunned. “Lady, what are you waiting for?” the doctor finally said, “You are completely healthy. Go home to your family!”
I am 100% sure that it was great Heavenly kindness and the merit of the Rav, shlita, that brought about this amazing miracle. May Hashem protect and bless the Rav and give his family and all of Am Yisrael abundant goodness. May we merit the coming of the Redeemer, speedily, in our days.
Now it is the year 1998. I do follow-up tests regularly. Baruch Hashem, all the results have indicated good health, and I enjoy my family in tranquility.
Yours truly, Mrs. Sara Bracha Deray (née Haouzi)
There is no doubt that this woman merited this stupendous miracle due to her staunch faith in the Creator. Hashem, in His great mercy, proved to her that He is the healer of all flesh and the only One who can bring a cure.
Faith in Hashem can effect salvation above the laws of nature.
