He Rolled His IV Out of the Hospital: All the Way to the Kotel

As part of a study day organized by the Youth Department of Bnei Brak, I once attended a workshop that left a lasting impression. The speaker was Binyamin Halevi Gan-Or, and his story was one of the most powerful I had ever heard.

He began with his childhood.

A Difficult Beginning

Benny grew up in a home marked by hardship. His father, a taxi driver, was a good man at heart but used harsh and often violent methods. His mother, a Holocaust survivor, struggled to manage the home.

There was little stability, and even basic needs were a challenge.

One winter, Benny inherited boots from an elderly aunt who had passed away. They were heeled, with gold accents, clearly not meant for a young boy. Still, he had no choice but to wear them to school.

On the way, he kicked off the heels and stepped into mud, trying to make them look less noticeable. When his classmates mocked him, calling him names, he felt a strange sense of relief. At least they hadn’t noticed where the boots came from.

By third grade, after experiencing repeated violence at home, Benny became aggressive himself. He once stood up to an older bully, and from that moment on, no one dared challenge him.

At 14, he finally stood up to his father. When his father raised a hand again, Benny warned him to stop. The response he received left a deeper mark than any physical blow:

“Who do you think you are, you worthless zero?”

That label stayed with him for years.

Building a Life

Despite everything, Benny moved forward.

He completed his army service as a battalion commander, built a family, and established a successful career. On the surface, he was living a stable, productive life.

Then everything changed.

A Life-Altering Mistake

Benny went in for what was supposed to be a simple abdominal surgery.

It was meant to take less than an hour.

But after the procedure, the medical team realized they had made a devastating mistake. A thermometer had been left inside his body.

He was rushed into another emergency surgery that lasted 12 hours.

That was only the beginning.

An infection followed, leading to a long and painful journey. Over two years, he endured multiple hospitalizations and surgeries. Most failed. In the end, doctors were forced to remove his stomach, esophagus, and part of his diaphragm.

His life as he knew it was gone.

He would be permanently disabled.

A Breaking Point

Benny describes that time as a dark period filled with pain, frustration, and anger.

He felt betrayed by the system. He struggled with feelings of helplessness. As a person of faith, he also questioned himself: What had he done to deserve this?

At one point, he no longer wanted to live.

A Radical Decision

Then something shifted.

Benny made a decision that would change everything: he chose to see himself as healthy.

One day, he disconnected from the machines, got dressed, and left his hospital room, taking his IV pole with him, which he had nicknamed “Moshe.”

He boarded buses and traveled all the way to the Kotel.

There, he placed his hand on the stones and prayed with all his heart: “Hashem, please heal me.”

That moment marked a turning point.

Taking Responsibility

From that day on, Benny chose a different path.

He stopped searching for someone to blame and began taking responsibility for his life. He committed to rebuilding himself, even within his new limitations.

He studied widely, from Torah to professional literature, and explored tools like guided imagery and personal development.

He came to understand a simple but powerful truth: if he did not take responsibility for his own life, no one else would.

Rebuilding From Within

Benny chose not to define himself by his disability.

Instead of withdrawing, he set goals. He returned to learning, entered yeshiva, and began working with at-risk youth, helping them uncover their inner strength.

He learned to express himself honestly and to connect with others on a deep level.

Rising Again

Later, he became involved in extreme sports and leadership roles, including managing a large activity center.

At one point, he made a bold decision to close the business on Shabbat, despite financial risk. It was a move many doubted, but it ultimately succeeded and attracted a new audience.

For years, he has also led challenging treks for teenagers, helping them push beyond their limits and believe in themselves.

His message is clear: everyone struggles. Everyone falls. But everyone can get back up.

A New Way to Motivate

Benny explains that real motivation does not come from pressure.

It comes from connection.

Just as a car needs a spark to start, people need meaningful connection. Not pushing from behind, but meeting face to face, heart to heart.

When people feel seen and supported, they find the strength to move forward.

Turning Pain Into Growth

One of the most powerful ideas he shares is this:

We can turn our wounds into tools for healing.

Instead of avoiding pain, we can face it, understand it, and grow from it. The energy we spend hiding our struggles can be redirected toward building something new.

Every challenge carries within it the possibility of growth.

A Life of Meaning

Benny’s story is not just about survival.

It is about transformation.

It is about choosing to live with purpose, even in the face of immense difficulty.

It is about understanding that even the hardest moments can become the foundation for something greater.