The doctor said it was a virus and recommended bed rest. After a few weeks the headaches disappeared. But then one day, Ayal woke up with a stabbing pain on the right side of his head. The doctor sent Ayal for tests.
For the next few weeks the tension and sadness in the air was palpable. Although his father smiled and his mother patted him on the head, he noticed their red and swollen eyes. Something was wrong. Ayal demanded to know what they were hiding from him. After much hesitation, Ayal's father leveled with his son, telling him the doctors had discovered a tumor. He did not tell Ayal that the doctors had given his son three months to live.
The eve of Yom Kippur, 1976. Jews had come from all over the metropolitan area to spend the holidays with the Lubavitcher Rebbe. They stood for hours waiting to receive honey cake from the Rebbe along with a blessing for a good and sweet year.
A friend who worked at the Israeli Consulate had suggested to Ayal's father that they get a blessing from the Rebbe. The Rebbe's miracles were well known, and what better way to spend the holy day of Yom Kippur than with the Rebbe. A Lubavitcher chasid who regularly visited the Consulate made arrangements for a place for them to stay, and now they awaited the Rebbe's blessing.
The Rebbe usually smiled at children, but that Yom Kippur eve he did not smile at Ayal. The Rebbe wished father and son a good and sweet year with a very somber look on his face.
They ate the pre-fast meal with the host family and then went to Lubavitch World Headquarters, 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, to participate in the holy day's prayers. The next day, as well, Ayal and his father were in the synagoguge most of the day.
The afternoon of Yom Kippur wore on. Ayal's father sent him to their host's home to break his fast and rest until Ne'ila, the final prayer of Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur was nearly over. The congregation waited expectantly for the final prayers of the holy day to be recited. All eyes were on the Rebbe. The Rebbe suddenly raised his tallis and gazed at the crowd with a penetrating look on his face before turning to his secretary. The secretary then announced that all the children in the syngagogue should go up to the Rebbe's platform. Paths were made for the children or they were passed overhead hand-to-hand.
The Rebbe watched and waited. "Why did I send Ayal home?" Ayal's father berated himself. "He could have been standing next to the Rebbe! He left a long time ago. Why hasn't he come back yet?"
Hundreds of children were on the platform. The chazan (cantor) waited for a sign from the Rebbe to conclude the prayers. But the Rebbe was waiting. Suddenly another child arrived. It was Ayal. He was lifted over the crowd to the Rebbe's platform. Immediately the Rebbe led the singing of Avinu Malkeinu - Our Father, Our King. Those who stood near the Rebbe heard the Rebbe crying.
The prayers were over. The Rebbe smiled at the children, all of the children.
Ayal and his family bid goodbye to their hosts and returned to their home. Later that night Ayal announced to his parents, "My headache is gone. I want you to take me for tests tomorrow."
They had an appointment for more tests scheduled in four days time. But Ayal insisted that he was perfectly fine and that he wanted to be tested immediately to prove it. His parents were able to move the appointment up.
A few days later during supper, Ayal's father burst into the house and while crying and laughing managed to say, "You were right!"
Ayal and his father went to thank the Rebbe personally on Simchat Torah. The Israeli Ambassador to the U.N., Mr. Chayim Herzog, took a group of people who worked at the Consulate to the Rebbe, Ayal and his father among them. They were given a place near the Rebbe, who gave them special attention. When the Rebbe turned to Ayal's father, the latter presented his son to him.
"Thank you Rebbe. I am well," said Ayal shyly. Ayal's father emotionally added, "The Rebbe saved his life!" The Rebbe smiled and waved away the comments saying, "Give thanks to G-d, and always remember that He did this miracle for you."
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