The Most Effective Remedy
A woman approached me and stated that her doctors had diagnosed her with a terminal illness. She had only a number of months left to live. She asked that I advise her how to prepare for death.
This was the first time I was ever asked such a question, and I honestly replied that I did not have an answer. It is true that our Sages say (Avot 2:10), “Repent one day before you die.” Everyone is adjured to do teshuvah one day before his death, whether he is in full health or deathly ill.
“Did you ever immerse in a kosher mikveh?” I asked.
She replied in the negative. I advised her to do so now, so that when she would meet her Maker, she would be in a state of holiness and purity. In addition, I gave her a sefer which delineates the halachot of purity for women. This would help her do the mitzvah in the best way possible.
A few months later, the woman returned and reminded me of her story. According to the doctors’ predictions, by now this woman should have been in a better world. She wished to fill me in on all the details since she saw me last.
“After arriving home with your sefer in my hand, I burst into sobs, and told Hashem, ‘Ribbono shel Olam! I don’t want to learn these halachot in order to die in purity, but in order to live in purity!’ I cried for a long time and resolved to study the halachot as a merit for my recovery. I was determined to uphold the details of each law as if my life depended on it, which it did.
“After some time, I found myself in the hospital once again, undergoing various tests. The doctors were astounded at the results, which came back perfectly clear!
“Afraid that some mistake must have been made, they ordered a repeat of the tests. But Hashem makes no mistakes. The next tests, too, indicated clearly that I was perfectly healthy.
“Additionally, I merited remarrying and conceiving. I would like to express my deep gratitude to the Rav for his wise counsel in advising me to learn the halachot of taharat hamishpachah, which gave me new life.”
I was very moved by the woman’s miraculous tale. I told her that her life was returned to her on account of her strength of spirit and her resolve to learn the halachot in order to live by them. In the merit of her simple, pure faith, she was granted supernatural treatment.
