The Deal I Made with Hashem: A Simchat Torah Miracle

There are moments when a parent realizes that medicine, expertise, and human effort are no longer enough. This is the story of a mother who, sitting alone in a hospital corridor on the night of Simchat Torah while her son underwent life saving brain surgery, turned to Heaven and made a personal commitment in tzniut. What happened next, she believes, was nothing less than a gift from Above.

A Diagnosis No Parent Is Prepared For

“A few days after Rosh Hashanah, close to Yom Kippur, a tumor was discovered in our dear son’s brain.”

With these words, a mother begins the account of the hardest time in her life. She asked that her story be published to strengthen others about the power of tzniut and the salvation it can bring.

A comprehensive examination revealed that her child needed immediate hospitalization and urgent surgery that might save his life. In a single instant, their world turned upside down. Shock gave way to fear. Before they could even process the news, the doctors were already urging them to prepare for surgery.

At that time, one of the world’s leading experts in this type of operation happened to be in the country. The doctors recommended that he perform the procedure. The surgery was scheduled for the night of Simchat Torah.

A Waiting Room on Simchat Torah

The surgery began.

“I was sitting in the waiting corridor with Tehillim in my hands,” she recalls. “The pages were soaked with my tears. I cried and begged Hashem to have mercy on my son and grant him new life.”

The ward was silent. The hallway was empty. Only the steady ticking of the clock broke the quiet.

All over the country, Jews were gathered in synagogues, singing and dancing with the Torah scrolls. She longed to wake up and discover it was all a dream. Instead of dancing on Simchat Torah, she was sitting alone in a hospital, pleading for her child’s life.

A Deal with the Master of the World

In that deep silence, she felt she could speak directly to the Creator.

“Master of the Universe,” she prayed, “there are three partners in a person. His father, his mother, and You. It is clear that the two earthly partners cannot help in a situation like this. Only You can save him.

“I want to propose a deal. Head for head. I will take upon myself a commitment in tzniut connected to the head. I will cover my hair, because I know this is Your will. In return, give me my son’s head. Let him recover and live a long, good life. And please, give me a sign that You accept this deal.”

As she spoke, her eyes flooded with tears.

At that very moment, she heard footsteps. A group of young men were coming up from the hospital synagogue. They were holding a Torah scroll and singing, hoping to bring joy to the patients in honor of Simchat Torah.

She quickly quieted them, explaining that this was a surgical ward and not the place for dancing.

One of the boys, the oldest in the group, asked for her son’s name. She told him. Immediately, with the Torah scroll in his arms, he began a Mi Sheberach prayer and declared with confidence, “Do not cry anymore. With Hashem’s help, he will recover.”

Beyond Expectations

When the surgery ended, the doctor approached her.

The operation, he said, had succeeded beyond expectations.

Slowly, her son regained strength. Against the doctors’ predictions, he made a full recovery and was completely cured.

Only then did she understand.

She had made a deal with Hashem. She strengthened herself in tzniut, and in return, she received her son’s life as a gift.