He Kept One Shabbat—and Something Amazing Happened

In a recent talk, Rabbi Shneor Guetta shared a powerful story about faith, healing and the deep beauty of Shabbat.

“A few months ago,” the Rabbi began, “a new student started coming to our classes in Netanya. He’s about 28 years old and comes in a wheelchair. I didn’t know his story, but I was happy to see his face week after week.”

During one class, the Rabbi invited everyone to take on a small spiritual commitment—something meaningful they could begin doing. The man in the wheelchair raised his hand and said, “I want to start keeping Shabbat.”

The Rabbi blessed him warmly, saying, “May Hashem heal you.” He still didn’t know what had caused the man to lose feeling in his legs, but it was clear that he couldn’t walk.

A few days later, after Shabbat had passed, another man from the class came up to the Rabbi, smiling. “Rabbi, look at the back of the room,” he said.

The Rabbi turned around—and to his amazement, saw the man who had been in a wheelchair just days before. He was standing. Clapping. Smiling.

“He kept Shabbat for the very first time,” the Rabbi explained. “He spent it near the holy site of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. After Shabbat, he returned home—walking. No wheelchair. Just a cane, which he didn’t really need.”

The Rabbi looked around the room and said softly, “This is the power of Shabbat.”

Shabbat is a time when we pause from the noise of the week and reconnect—with ourselves, with our families, and with our Creator. Even one Shabbat, kept with a full heart, can bring light and change into our lives.