The Wonders of Harav Yitzchack Kadouri

136 Who to listen to? The doctors warned Mrs. S. never to become pregnant, as her ¿rstborn died shortly after birth due to an unusual genetic condition. “If you become pregnant,” they said, “you are jeopardizing not only the life of the baby, but also your life. Too bad, but there is nothing you can do about it.” However, Mrs. S. did not listen to them, and did become pregnant. The doc- tors became angry at her, and even her parents were frustrated, as they were concerned for her life. Out of desperation, she and her husband turned to the Rav, detailing the sad train of events which led to their coming. They men- tioned their previous child and his untimely death. The Rav listened carefully and ordered them not to perform an abortion, under any circumstances, and blessed them that the baby would healthy and well. After hearing the Rav’s words, the couple felt that they were standing at an important crossroad in their life. Who should they listen to? The doctors? Or the Rav? Time passed. Mixed emotions Àashed through the woman’s heart as the doctors told her that her baby was sick and the danger to her life was too great. They urged her to perform an abortion. She felt that she didn’t have a choice, and agreed to the procedure. While waiting for the doctors to come, Mrs. S. lay on a hospital bed being monitored, pondering her state of being. She lifted her eyes Heavenward and said a little prayer. “Father in Heaven, I may not be a religious woman, but I am still your daughter. I am in a dif¿cult situation, and the next few moments will decide the fate of my child and the future course of my life. Please give me a sign, even a small one, so I can know if I should go on with the abortion. The doctors say I don’t have any choice, as the baby will die anyways and it is jeopardizing my life. Should I listen to them or to the Rav who blessed me that I would give birth to a healthy baby and I would be ¿ne?” She burst out crying, and the nurses feared for her health. At that very moment, for no appa- rent reason, the machines which were monitoring her suddenly went blank. Needless to say, she took it as a sign from Heaven that G-d heard her prayer and was responding to her plight. She stood up and began to leave the hospital, as the doctors shouted at her that she was acting illogically and in a way which was detrimental to her health. She, though, stood her ground and refused to listen to them. She went straight home and carried to the end of the pregnancy, giving birth to a healthy baby boy. The Rav was the Sandek at the circumci- sion, and her husband said, “In the merit of the Rav and his prayers, we had a baby boy. That is why we asked the Rav to be the Sandek .”