Twelve-Year-Old's Heartfelt Plea: 'I'm Running Out of Strength'

A few months ago, Yosef Mordechai Kadosh, a young boy, posted a heartfelt message on his Facebook page that quickly went viral, garnering thousands of comments and likes. "Creator of the World," wrote the 12-year-old alongside a picture of himself facing a large, intimidating machine. "In a few moments, I will be entering this machine for a life-changing test. I want to ask you something: three times, this machine has told me that I have cancer. Please, let it not tell me that for a fourth time. You've heard me cry out 'Enough, enough, enough!' three times. Please, don't let me cry out for a fourth time."

"Three times you've taken all my hair. Thank you for giving it back these past weeks, and please don't take it away for a fourth. Hundreds of chemotherapy bags fill my veins, needles and surgeries mark my body. My skin is burnt and scorched from radiation. Please, don't make me feel all this for a fourth time..."

"For eight years, they've called me a brave child. But I'll tell you the truth—I don't have the strength for a fourth time," he concluded.

A few days after this post resonated widely, Yosef Mordechai's parents shared another moving message, expressing their gratitude for the prayers and support from the Jewish community. "Success in some areas isn't measured by the final result, but by the investment towards the goal," they wrote. "You've gone above and beyond with your prayers and blessings for our son Yosef Mordechai, and that is your success. Fortunately and unfortunately, the last test showed that in one of the two places where he had cancer—it has completely disappeared, but in the other, it still remains."

The resilient parents continued: "We feel that Yosef Mordechai will no longer say 'I don't have the strength'. He will always remember the heartfelt, soul-stirring responses you gave. You are the ones who renewed his strength and hope to continue fighting this illness in every way possible. Prayers don’t go unanswered, they are kept for us at heaven's gates—and everything Hashem does is for the best."

At the end of the post, the parents ask for continued prayers for their son—Yosef Mordechai ben Tehila Simcha, and they thank the people of Israel from the depths of their hearts, "from heart to heart".

What would you like to say to dear Yosef Mordechai?