The following story was told by Rabbi Moshe Blau, who verified details with the family. According to Rav Blau, as reported by Kikar Shabbos News, “My wife received a kidney from our daughter-in-law who lives in Beit Shemesh, so I was exposed to this awesome story.” This story was reported subsequently in English on YeshivaWorldNews.
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A few weeks ago, prominent Vishnitz chossid HaRav HaChossid Nachum Apel Z”L, who was also close to the Brisk community, was niftar in Bnei Brak. During the shiva, a woman who was not familiar with the family arrived to comfort the mourners. But she had a story that amazed them.
The story continues: The woman told a strange fact that every time she was Mechalel Shabbos, she felt intense pain in her body. “I lit a fire, or did something else, and did not understand why I was in pain,” she said excitedly. “According to medicine, there should not be pain after a short period of time following the transplant.”
She said: “I went to the doctors to ask, but they found nothing, and they said that there is no reason for the terrible pain that is attacking you.” One day I realized that it might be related to my chilul Shabbos. The donor kidney was from a shomer Shabbos individual, and for me, this was a hint from above, instructing me to begin keeping Shabbos.
The lady told the mourners that she had started to observe Shabbos, and suddenly all the pains that attacked her stopped. She noted that she came to be menachem aveil to tell the story as a chizuk and to be MeKadesh Shem Shomayim.
Indeed, the story got around and gave a chizuk to so many, including the family members of the niftar and all who heard it.
SHORT VORT, Rabbi Moshe Kormornick. Published by Adir Press. $9.99 in stores worldwide and online here
Whether you are looking for something meaningful on the Parsha, an uplifting thought for Yom Tov, or have been asked to speak at a Simcha – “Short Vort” is the book for you! With over 140 incredible short vorts packed with stories and valuable life messages, you will never be lost for something inspiring to say.
Rabbi Moshe Kormornick is a popular writer whose words are enjoyed by thousands of readers every week.
