His Faith Keeps Him Alive

I am acquainted with a Mr. Cohen from New York. Unfortunately, this man contracted cancer. When I was receiving people on a visit to New York, Mr. Cohen sadly informed me that the disease had spread throughout his body. The doctors had given up on his ever recovering. He added that his daughter was scheduled to be married in three months. He did not want to spoil the festivities with his death, so would I please bless him with another three months of life? I blessed him that the merit of my fathers should stand by him, and Hashem should grant him another three months of life.

Approximately three months later, I found myself once again in New York. Mr. Cohen again approached me. I didn’t recognize him at first, for his appearance had improved tremendously. He informed me that my prayers had been accepted, and he had participated in his daughter’s wedding. For this, he thanks Hashem every day. Then he asked for a blessing that he merit another year of life, to see his daughter become a mother.

Upon hearing his words, I told him that in the merit of thanking Hashem for the added months of life, against all the doctors’ predictions, Hashem would surely take pity on him and allow him to live for this event, as well.

Another year passed. Mr. Cohen came to me, singing Hashem’s praises. He had merited seeing a grandchild come into this world. Now he asked that he receive another three months’ respite, for his next daughter had become engaged in the interim and was to be married in three months.

I immediately blessed him. I told him that his simple faith in Hashem and the tremendous gratitude he felt toward Him for his miraculous life, would grant him the merit to see his next daughter married.

Mr. Cohen danced at this daughter’s wedding, as well. Although he carries his disease with him, he continues functioning.

The doctors scratch their heads in consternation. They all agree that it is only his perfect faith which keeps him alive.