A Standing Ovation
Each year, as Lag Ba’Omer, the hilula of the Tanna, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, draws near, I am reminded of a story from my childhood in Morocco, which ended on a happy note, in the merit of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.
My eldest sister had sustained a head injury and, as a result, was unable to walk. Throughout the years, my mother, may she live long, would take her to visit various specialists who tried to heal her, but none was successful.
Every year, on Lag Ba’Omer, Father would prepare a hilula celebration in honor of the Tanna, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Numerous guests would be invited. They would sing liturgical praises and relate stories about the holy Tanna.
One year, after all of the attendees had already left, my handicapped sister turned to my father and asked, in all innocence, “Father, if Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s power is so great, why doesn’t he cure me? What will be when it is time for me to marry; which chatan will agree to a handicapped kallah?”
When the family members heard her request, said with such simplicity and through such pain, they all burst into tears. After they calmed down, Father told her, “Im yirtzeh Hashem, in the merit of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, you will stand on your own two feet and be able to walk again.”
That night, everyone slept peacefully. Suddenly, the air was pierced with chilling cries coming from my sister’s room. The entire family awoke and, in panic, immediately made their way to her room. To our utter amazement, there stood our sister, walking on her own two feet, as Father had promised.
We were overcome with emotion at the tremendous miracle we had witnessed. Only Father had the presence of mind to ask, “Why did you scream, my daughter? Tell us exactly what happened.”
Excitedly, she related that in the middle of the night, she felt as though someone were massaging her legs until they emitted heat waves. Then she heard a voice whispering to her, “Stand up. You can walk.” This is exactly what happened.
Father said that it was certainly Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who had come to cure her of her infirmity, in the merit of her pure faith.
