Rabbi Zecharia Wallerstein and Rabbi Shmuel Berenbaum of blessed memories
Rav Zecharia Wallerstein, zt”l, shared a story. There was a man who had dedicated his life to learning in Kollel, while his wife worked tirelessly to support their family. This lasted for over three decades. They lived a simple, but fulfilling life, and the man grew in Torah to become a true Talmid Chacham.
For over thirty years, they lived this way, but suddenly, their lives were turned upside down when his wife was unexpectedly diagnosed with a dreaded disease, R”L. The doctors did not have much hope for her case, and said she had a mere three months to live.
The Rebbi Said He Would Try and Do Something on Her Behalf
Desperate, the man went to seek guidance from his Rebbi, Rav Shmuel Berenbaum, zt”l, and pleaded for some miracle to save his wife. Rav Shmuel was moved by the man’s heartfelt pleas, and Rav Shmuel said he would try to do what he could on her behalf.
The next week, his wife was presented with a unique opportunity to try a new treatment, and it was a ray of hope for them. The treatment so far had been given to only ten people. Half of them had fully recovered, but the other half tragically did not. With fear and anticipation, his wife chose to try the new treatment.
To everyone’s amazement, immediately after the treatment, his wife’s health began to improve dramatically. Her recovery seemed almost miraculous, as far as the doctors were concerned. They had no words to explain what they were witnessing. But the Talmid Chacham believed that his Rebbi must have had something to do with it.
Filled with immense gratitude, he returned to Rav Shmuel and asked him to reveal the secret behind this miraculous turn of events. Rav Shmuel smiled, and told him what had happened. He explained that the day after the man had come to him and told him about his wife, he opened his Gemara to a profound Machlokes between two of the greatest Sages in the Gemara, Abaye and Rava.
Poured Out His Heart to the Amoraim
Rav Shmuel turned to the pages of his Gemara, and he addressed the Amoraim directly. He poured his heart out, and had a meaningful conversation. Rav Shmuel said to them, “I speak to you throughout the day. We are Chavrusas, learning partners, and I have never asked you for anything. Until today. Today, I am asking both of you to please go before Hashem, and daven to Him for the Refuah Sheleimah of this woman.”
Rav Shmuel described how, in that moment, he felt an incredible connection to the wisdom that is contained within the pages of the Gemara. He felt elevated as he conversed with Abaye and Rava themselves. Rav Wallerstein said that through the power of his words and through his solid Emunah, he begged the Sages to intercede on behalf of the woman. And then the opportunity to try a new treatment presented itself, and she made a miraculous recovery.
A Clear Display of How the Torah is a Living Torah
The Refuah that his wife received was not simply the results of a medical treatment, but it was a clear display of how the Torah is a living Torah. Rav Shmuel had not only learned the words of Abaye and Rava, but he spoke with them on a spiritual level, as he lived and breathed the essence of the Torah.
The man was deeply impressed by the strong connection between the teachings of the Torah, and the real world. He witnessed firsthand the power of sincere Tefilah, and the living nature of the Torah. Inspired, the man returned home with a new appreciation for the incredible wisdom of the Torah. He rededicated himself not only to his learning, but also to living by the Torah in every aspect of his life. The couple was full of gratitude and continued to grow in Ruchniyus. They cherished each moment as evidence to the miracles that can happen when one lives a life of Torah, because it is actually living the Torah!
Reprinted from the Parshas Beshallach 5784 email of Rabbi Yehuda Winzelberg’s Torah U’Tefilah.
