A Husband’s Promise and the Miracle That Followed

Rabbi Yosef Hartman, a Chabad emissary, shared a deeply moving story. It happened on the last day of Passover, when Rabbi Hartman was visiting his son-in-law, Rabbi Shlomo Raskin, in Frankfurt am Main.

During the Torah reading, Rabbi Raskin recited a Mi Sheberach prayer, a special blessing for healing for those in need of recovery. As he mentioned one woman’s name, a man called up to the Torah began to cry. His name was Abraham Kaufman, and he wept bitterly when his wife’s name was read. He stood for a long time, overcome with emotion.

After the service, Rabbi Hartman gently approached him to understand what had happened. Mr. Kaufman explained through tears, “My wife, Esther Victoria bat Sarah, everyone knows her as Vicki, has been in a deep coma for two months. The doctors say there’s no hope... she’s in a vegetative state.”

Rabbi Hartman quietly suggested something powerful: to start putting on tefillin every weekday for her merit and healing. (Tefillin are small black boxes containing verses from the Torah, worn on the arm and head during weekday morning prayers.) Mr. Kaufman admitted he hadn’t worn tefillin since his Bar Mitzvah, not even during his years living in Israel. But now, with his wife’s life hanging in the balance, he agreed.

Several months later, on the 11th of Menachem Av, a Torah dedication ceremony was held in Frankfurt. A beautiful new Torah scroll had been written in memory of Mrs. Hania Rivka Raskin. It was donated by her son, Rabbi Shlomo Raskin, and Rabbi Yosef Hartman came to join the celebration.

At the event, Abraham Kaufman recognized Rabbi Hartman. He ran up to him, hugged and kissed him, and through tears of joy said, “Rabbi Hartman, thank you for your advice. The tefillin brought my wife back to life.” With emotion in his voice, he continued, “On the very day I started putting on tefillin, my wife opened her eyes. A few weeks later, she began to speak and even walk, thank Hashem. She’s not completely healed yet, so please continue to pray for her.”

Later, during the festive meal following the hakafot (dancing and procession with the new Torah), Mr. Kaufman asked to speak. He stood up and retold the story of the miracle that had changed his life. Rabbi Hartman, visibly moved, responded with humility: “I’m not a rebbe or a miracle worker. I simply trusted the words of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who taught that tefillin provide protection and salvation.”

He added: “Our Sages teach, ‘Whoever puts on tefillin will have long life’ (Menachot 44a). The verse says, ‘Hashem, by these things they will live’ (Isaiah 35:16). When Hashem’s name rests on a person, it brings life and this mitzvah is considered as great as the entire Torah.”

On the holy Shabbat of Nachamu (the Shabbat after Tisha B’Av), Rabbi Hartman spoke again at his grandson’s aliyah to the Torah. He shared the story of Abraham Kaufman and the powerful mitzvah of tefillin. Suddenly, from within the crowd, voices called out: “Here is Vicki Kaufman, she’s here with us, thank Hashem!” The entire room burst into applause. Many shed tears of joy and amazement.

May these heartfelt words bring merit and complete healing to Esther Victoria bat Sarah, along with all those in need of healing among the Jewish people.