A Doctor’s Selfless Heart and the Rebbe’s Eternal Blessing

Rabbi Yechiel Michel Stern, the rabbi of the Ezrat Torah neighborhood in Jerusalem, shares a touching story about his father, Rabbi Moshe Aharon Stern, who served as the mashgiach (spiritual supervisor) at the Kamenitz Yeshiva.

“In Jerusalem, there was a well-known and respected doctor named Dr. Kagan,” Rabbi Stern begins. “She managed the ‘Bikur Cholim’ Hospital and did so much to help Am Yisrael—the Jewish people.”

“My father, would observe her yahrzeit (anniversary of passing) each year and say Kaddish for her.”

“Once, I asked him why he was so careful to do this,” Rabbi Stern continued. “And he explained, ‘I owe Dr. Kagan a great debt of gratitude. She treated our children with such care and dedication. Why shouldn’t we repay her kindness by saying Kaddish for her soul?’”

And then he shared an incredible story that he had once heard. The Rebbe of Rachmastrivka had promised Dr. Kagan a portion in the World to Come.

In her later years, my father visited Dr. Kagan at home and gently asked her if the story was true—had the Rebbe really given her such a blessing?

The elderly doctor burst into tears. “That happened so many years ago,” she said emotionally. “I had nearly forgotten about it... Maybe your asking about it now is a sign from above—that I’ll soon be returning to the World of Truth...”

She then told him the story of how she came to receive that rare and precious promise from the Rebbe:

“It was during a time when a terrible illness was spreading among Jewish children. The Rebbe’s own son became dangerously ill, and I devoted all my energy and efforts until he recovered.”

“After his son recovered, the Rebbe called me to his home. He asked how much he should pay me. But instead of payment, I asked him to sign a letter supporting equal rights for women.”

“The Rebbe stood up and said, ‘You could ask for something far greater than such a minor matter.’”

“I gathered my courage and said to him, ‘Then promise me the World to Come!’”

“The Rebbe sat in his chair and fell deep into thought. After a moment, he stood again and said, ‘If you promise me that all your work will be l’shem Shamayim—for the sake of Heaven—and that you will save lives without any thought of personal gain, then I promise you two things: One, you will soon be saved from certain death. And two, you will merit the World to Come.’”

Dr. Kagan continued: “A few days later, another illness broke out, this time affecting infants. The hospital was completely overcrowded. There weren’t enough beds. I went out into the street, crossed the road, and bought more beds for the sick babies.”

“On my way back to the hospital, a car hit me and threw me a distance. But nothing happened to me—not a scratch. I got up and went right back inside to continue helping the children.”

My father finished the story and said simply: “So tell me—doesn’t a woman like that deserve to have her yahrzeit remembered and Kaddish said in her honor?”

From: The Supervisor, courtesy of the Dirshu website.