In honor of the yahrtzeit of one of the eminent poskim of the last generation, Harav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, the Igros Moshe, who passed away in 5746 at the age of 91, we present this story that sheds some light on the tremendous weight Rav Moshe attributed to the value and power of answering amen. This is the story of one amen that saved two lives – one a spiritual life, and one a life of someone who lived to a ripe old age.
The story is about a Jewish surgeon who was renowned for his expertise. In the Manhattan hospital where he worked, he was considered one of the top physicians, and it was necessary to wait a long time to get an appointment with him. In spite of this, he was not prideful or arrogant; he was known for his kind and caring treatment of his patients, and his efforts to heal them and improve their conditions to the best of his ability.
In time, this doctor became closer to his Creator and became a baal teshuvah. Towards the end of his life he even moved to Eretz Yisrael. The reason for his return to his roots remained a mystery. Some thought the turnabout came after, as part of his job as a doctor, he had encountered many medical miracles through which the existence of the Creator became more clear to him; others thought that the tremendous wonders of Hashem that are evident in the human body are what brought him back to his roots. In any case, no one could point with certainty to the catalyst for his change in life.
Once, in a moment of candor, the doctor acceded to the request of someone who asked him to share the reason for him becoming a baal teshuvah, and he related: “Many years ago, a Jew came into my clinic; he was very seriously ill, his condition was dreadful and he was suffering indescribably. Before I began to treat him, I first took some tests to determine his exact condition, and the results were not encouraging at all. They indicated that his end was near and his days were numbered. Although there was a possibility of operating on him, I knew that the operation would prolong his life by not more than half a year. I was doubtful if it was worth it, because the surgery also involved a lot of suffering and it was costly.
Upon hearing the information I presented him with, this Jew’s face clouded over; he looked pained and lost. A tear came to his eye as he shared what was on his mind: ‘Am I qualified to decide such a crucial and fateful question?’ he asked. ‘Can I rule whether I should endure unbelievable suffering for a short time? This is too complex of a question for my knowledge and strength! I have to ask a great person how to act. Because I learned in my younger years under Harav Moshe Feinstein, in Mesivta Tiferes Yerushalayim, I want to ask his advice on this.’ Upon hearing this, my heart went out to him, and on the spur of the moment, I offered him to accompany him so that I could present the medical aspect to the Rav in a precise manner. At the time, I didn’t have any idea about the power of Torah sages, and I also did not understand what da’as Torah is. But when I saw this man’s adherence to his rebbi, I felt an urge to help him. I will not deny that deep down, I had even wished that once in my life I would merit to see the revered Rav whose name was uttered with awe and respect throughout the Jewish world. I was interested to see how he addressed such a weighty medical question. The patient was pleased with my offer, and that day, we got an appointment at the Rav’s house.
Dozens of people were waiting outside the Rav’s room, but because of the urgency of the matter we had come for, we were admitted right away. It was my first time seeing Rav Moshe face to face, and being in his presence.
First, the sick man began to describe his condition, in general, and the suffering that he and his family were going through. Then, when I was given permission to speak, I told the Rav about the man’s medical prognosis. When I detailed the proposed surgery and its ramifications, I was surprised to see the Rav burst out crying; it was evident that he was truly feeling the pain of his talmid. When I finished, the Rav became very thoughtful, and finally said that because the question was so complex, he asked for a day to think about it before deciding.
The next day I returned with my patient to the Rav’s house. The family recognized us and let us in right away once again. When we entered, the Rav raised his head, and declared decisively: ‘You need to operate!’ Then he looked at his talmid and promised: ‘I’ll try to daven and plead for you for Rachamei Shamayim, so that you merit to live a long life in good condition.’
Deep down I wondered about this decision. To my surprise, the Rav sensed this and he smiled at me and explained: ‘The surgery that you will do will add six months to his life, in your words. During this time, he will merit to answer many amens to brachos that he hears. Each amen creates an advocating angel that will advocate for him to live a long life. And with so many advocates, I’m sure the gates of mercy will be opened to him and he will merit indeed, to live a long life.’
I felt the deep emunah with which the Rav’s words were said, and his words penetrated my heart. I began to think hard: The Rav understood the severity of the patient’s condition, indicated by the fact that he asked for a day to think about it. If, after that, he was so confident in the power of Torah and mitzvos that one small mitzvah like answering amen could cause such wondrous things, why should I not start observing mitzvos?! Why should I not surround myself with angels of amen that will advocate for me and my family?!
My life changed because of this one word, the doctor concluded, a small, three-letter world, but one that can create angels and generate wondrous protection – amen!”
The doctor then noted, as an aside, that after the patient was operated on, as per the guidance of Rav Moshe, and he began to be strict about answering amen, he created tens of thousands of advocating angels that saved his life – and against all predictions, he recovered and lived many more years in good health.
Darchei Moshe Parashas Ki Savo
