The Power of Silence in Prayer: A Moving Story of Faith and Healing

The Rebbe of the Lelov Chassidic dynasty, who passed away twelve years ago, led his community with the belief that one of the spiritual remedies in the struggle against illness is refraining from talking during prayer. He even instructed that an inscription be placed on the Holy Ark in his study hall reading: “Silence is beautiful during prayer.” The Hebrew initials of this phrase spell shivah, symbolizing that silence during prayer is considered a segulah for long life. He appointed supervisors in the synagogue whose role was to ensure that no one spoke during prayers, and he instructed them not to overlook even distinguished individuals.

When people approached him seeking a blessing for salvation or healing, he would ask them to accept upon themselves the ancient commitment not to speak during prayer or during the Torah reading. The Rebbe saw this practice as a key to salvation, a path through which one could merit blessings and positive spiritual influence in every area of life.

A Visitor in Montreal Encounters a Powerful Message

Members of the Jewish community in Montreal later published the story of Alexander Moshe ben Leah Landa, a Klausenburger Chassid who lives in Union City, USA, and who came to pray in their synagogue during a family celebration. They wrote:

“On Friday night this man came to pray Kabbalat Shabbat in our study hall because of its proximity to where he was staying. At the entrance to the synagogue there is a notice that reads: ‘It is brought in the name of the Chafetz Chaim that silence during prayer and Torah reading is beneficial and a source of salvation.’ The next day he returned for Mincha and the third Shabbat meal. On his way to the study hall he met one of the worshippers and expressed his amazement that throughout the entire sanctuary no one spoke during the prayer. But he was even more moved when he saw the large sign stating, ‘Silence during prayer brings salvation,’ because he himself had experienced a personal story that testified to the truth of this idea.”

A Diagnosis That Changed Everything

The community published his story exactly as he told it:

“My story began about ten months earlier. I started feeling strong pain in the kidney area. At first I thought I had kidney stones and that they were the source of the pain. I went to the doctor for tests, and after reviewing the results he told me there were no stones, but he saw blood there. He sent me for a series of comprehensive examinations, including CT scans and blood tests. A few days later the doctors delivered the worst news — they had discovered a serious illness, a malignant tumor that had begun near the liver and had already spread to surrounding organs. The chances of recovery were low, to the point that surgery was not even an option.

“When I learned about the illness in my body, I told all my friends. I did not try to hide it, because I believed that the more people who prayed for me, the greater the chance that those prayers would be accepted. I tried with all my strength to strengthen my faith that Hashem would save me, and I did not allow despair to take hold of me in any way. As is well known, this is one of the central factors that influences a person’s ability to endure such challenges.”

A Community Commitment to Silence

“On the second Shabbat, when I felt a bit better, I went to pray in the synagogue. The gabbai, Rabbi Gershon Eisenberger, went up to the podium before the Torah reading and, with my permission, described my situation publicly. He called upon the congregation to accept upon themselves not to speak during prayer, and in that merit, may Hashem send a complete healing. Indeed, the congregation responded. The following Tuesday the gabbai came to my home to visit me and handed me a paper with eighty signatures from worshippers who pledged to refrain from idle conversation throughout the entire prayer service, from beginning to end, in my merit for a full recovery.”

Medical Improvement Beyond Expectation

“The next Shabbat there was complete silence in the synagogue during the prayers, and this continued week after week. Meanwhile I began chemotherapy treatments, and my condition started improving in an amazing way. After three weeks the doctor called me, surprised and emotional, saying that medically it made no sense and that he could not explain how my condition had improved so much. They even found that the tumor had begun to disappear far beyond expectations, giving great hope that I could recover with continued treatment, with Hashem’s help.

“I continued the treatments, and after twelve weeks they conducted another follow up examination. Again the doctor called in amazement, saying they had never seen anything like this, and that the entire hospital department was talking about how my case was a great miracle.”

A Personal Testimony of Faith

“I am certain, without any doubt, that the merit of silence during prayer is what has stood by me and continues to stand by me. Only because of that is my condition improving day by day, thank God. Before the last Rosh Hashanah I wrote an emotional letter to all the members of the synagogue, thanking them from the depths of my heart for their efforts on my behalf, and I asked them to continue being careful with this important practice. In that merit, may Hashem hear my prayers and send me a complete healing from Heaven.

“When I came to your study hall and saw the sign that silence during prayer brings salvation, I was deeply moved. Because from my own personal experience, I can testify to it.”