Tracking down a Blessing
Once, when I was taking the train from Nice to my home in Lyon, a woman suddenly burst into the car. It looked like she was desperately searching for someone. When she saw me, she finally found whom she was looking for. Her relief was mingled with pent-up emotion, which gave way to a torrent of tears. She had heard of my visit to Nice and had looked me up, but I was already gone by then. Therefore, she rushed to the train station in the hope of catching me before I caught the train to Lyon. Here is her story:
“My son is a boat repairman. About half a year ago, while he was working on a boat, the motor suddenly exploded. He sustained burns all over his body and was in critical condition. Until today, he is in a coma, fighting for his life. Honored Rav, I beg of you, bless my son with a refuah sheleimah.”
I was aggrieved at this woman’s tale. I immediately blessed her son that in the merit of my forefathers, he should have a complete recovery. I tried lifting her spirits, telling her that Hashem can heal a person in the blink of an eye.
A long time later, I attended the sheva berachot of Mr. Yehudah Fahima. There, I heard Mr. Maman joyfully relating this very story. Since I did not know how it had ended, I asked him to fill me in on the details. This is what he said:
“Approximately one month ago, I met a woman from Nice. She related that she had managed to secure a meeting with the Rav, who blessed her son. When I asked her how her son was doing, she said that Baruch Hashem, he came out of the coma, and his body miraculously grew fresh skin over the burns.”
I was very glad to hear the happy ending of this story. It taught me the extent of a mother’s personal sacrifice. She did not give up, but made every effort to track me down. She knew that this was in her son’s best interest. In the merit of her faith in Hashem, Who can change nature at any time, her son was healed.
