Rav Shmuel Engel of Radomishla zt”l (1853-1935) – the author of the famous Sheilos Uteshuvas Maharash, experienced a calamity in his youth: When he was seven years old, he lost his sight. His devoted mother took him from doctor to doctor, and from professor to professor, seeking a cure for her son, travelling the length and breadth of Europe. But the situation seemed hopeless, as all the professionals threw their hands up in defeat and exclaimed emphatically that they were unable to help.
In sheer desperation, the mother took him to the Sanzer Rav zt”l (1797-1876) and beseeched the tzaddik for a blessing. “If Hashem returns your sight to you, what will you do with it?” he asked the child. “I’ll be able to learn Torah,” came the answer. “Will you also observe the mitzvah of kibbud av v’aim?” continued the tzaddik. “Certainly!” answered the child emphatically. “If you assure me that you will use your eyes for the study of the Torah, and that you will also honor your parents – I will bless you that your eyesight be restored, and that you will illuminate other people’s eyes!”...
Only a short while passed, and the young Shmuel recovered, without any intrusive procedure or operation!
[source: Kevodam Shel Yisrael (Toisig) pp505-6]
