הפטורה
The Malbim explains this Possuk “As Elisha had told her.” Melochim 2:4:17 This is to say that it was not through Tefilla (Prayer). Rather it was through the word of Elisha, and his decree. A Tzaddik decrees and Hashem fulfills.
A mother came to The Kapishnitzer Rebbe - Reb Avrohom Yehoshua Heshel ZY”A and said that her child is in a סכנה. She wanted The Rebbe to give her a הבטחה (promise) that her son will be healthy. The Rebbe gave a Bracha that her son should have a רפואה שלימה. But the woman answered that she didn’t come for a Bracha, rather she came for a promise. She wants a promise from the Rebbe that her child will be well. The Rebbe said, “A הבטחה, I don’t know if I can give a הבטחה, but Hashem should help that your child should have a רפואה שלימה.” So, she stood by the door and said that she won’t go out until she gets a promise from the Rebbe. The Rebbe thought for a moment and then gave a הבטחה that her child will be healthy. And she left.
When she left, R’ Yisroel ZY”A, the oldest son of The Rebbe came and said, “Tatteh, I never saw this הנהגה from you to give a promise.” The Rebbe answered his son, “This woman needed a promise, so I gave it to her. Hashem should help that her child should have a full רפואה and everything will be good. But if the child won’t be healed, I’ll be considered a פאלשע רבי - false Rebbe. And even so, it’s worth taking the risk so she can have what she needs to hear now. That is the reason why I gave the woman a הבטחה.”
- As heard from my uncle Rabbi Yoel Bursztyn Shlita, Menahel, Beis Yaakov of LA, CA
