In the late 1960s, there was a middle-aged man named Mordechai who was experiencing terrible stomach pains. They persisted for several days, at which point he went and consulted with his doctor, who sent him to a specialist who ran a series of tests.
A week later, Mordechai was called back to the doctor’s office to discuss the results. The doctor informed him that the results had come back rather dreadful, and that he only had a minute chance of survival. While Mordechai was trying to digest the news, the doctor added, “And I opine that you take your four remaining weeks, gather together your final wishes, and instruct your family how to distribute your possessions, because this is it.”
Mordechai was unwilling to just settle with this heartbreaking news, “A Yid is never hopeless,” echoed in his mind. He remembered numerous stories of people with similar diagnoses who, after davening and learning, saw impressive yeshuos. With that mindset, he mustered the courage to ask the doctor, with tears streaming his cheeks, “Is there no solution? You’re telling me in so many words to despair from once again running a functional life? Is there no way to survive?!”
“There is one option,” replied the doctor, “but I do not recommend it. It’s an invasive procedure with a very low rate of success. Even if you decide to undergo the surgery, your lifespan will be extended no more than another six months. Nothing more than that. And your quality-of-life during those six months won’t be a dream. You’ll be bedridden and connected to a respirator, which is no fun. I don’t see any purpose in such a life. Rather, take your remaining time in this world, fly to Europe, explore the museums and attractions, and enjoy your final few weeks.”
Mordechai thanked the doctor for his advice and made his way to the posek ha’dor, Reb Moshe Feinstein, to discuss the matter.
Reb Moshe looked over all the details of the shaila before sharing his da’as Torah. “First, you must know that the mindset of the doctor is coming from the secular view of life,” Reb Moshe went on to explain, “but that is not hashkafas haTorah. The secular world sees life for its pleasure, and thus a life void of pleasure is worthless.
MADE FUNCTIONAL
“We, on the other hand, know that life is a preparation for the World to Come, and in a short time, a person can gain himself invaluable reward. So, before determining if to stretch life or not, we must primarily understand what we are dealing with.”
“With that being the case,” Reb Moshe then ruled, “it’s worth undergoing surgery just so you can put on tefillin even once more! Surely if you’ll also be able to daven thereafter. And besides, you must also consider the chance of outliving the six-month forecast. The doctor wasn’t notified by Hashem what your lifespan will be, so without a doubt, you should go ahead with the surgery and leave the rest up to Hashem!”
Although he was a quiet fellow, Mordechai boldly returned to the doctor and told him that he’d like to move forward with the surgery. The doctor, as expected, began to lash out at him. “You have no comprehension of what’s awaiting you. Get over this and enjoy your few remaining weeks.”
But despite the attempts of the doctor to dissuade him, Mordechai stood his own and replied, “I discussed the matter with R’ Feinstein, who instructed that I undergo the surgery.”
Being a respectful doctor, he honored the request and performed the surgery. Mordechai’s next few months went by as expected, with much pain and being confined to a bed, but with much siyata d’Shmaya, from then on he started improving until he was completely healed — contrary to the prediction of the doctor.
Several years passed, and Mordechai was once again sitting in the doctor’s waiting room for a periodic checkup. To his utter shock, he saw his doctor wearing a yarmulka and peiyos — something he hadn’t had when Mordechai last saw him! He knew the doctor was Jewish, but he certainly hadn’t come off as religious in any way or form. Mordechai couldn’t resist, and he told the doctor, “Tischadesh on your new appearance!”
The doctor responded, “It’s all credited to you. That ruling of Reb Moshe left me restless. How can a rabbi undertake such a ruling and instruct a fellow Jew to endure such a procedure? He surely understands what the patient will be facing. I decided that I must pay a visit to this rabbi.
“I entered his home in the Lower East Side and was then greeted with the Rav’s enlightening smile and sat down. After some talk, I proceeded to unload what was weighing on my heart, namely his ruling regarding your situation. Reb Moshe heard me out, and then responded, ‘Indeed, the Jewish perspective was unlike the common understanding of life. We live life for the purpose of gaining Torah and mitzvos for Olam Haba, and therefore it pays to remain alive just so that Mordechai could perform one more mitzva. Each mitzva is priceless and would be worthwhile that he remains alive for it.’”
“I was blown away by the clarity Reb Moshe presented me with,” the doctor continued, “and now you understand why I changed my direction in life. Until then, my life was purposeless: I worked to eat, and then ate to work, ad nauseum. Now I see how much meaning there can be in life, and I’m forever grateful to you for enlightening me to this.”
