A Miraculous Recovery: An Inspirational Story for the Month of Elul

This story is proof that anyone who wishes to return to faith can achieve it, regardless of past sins or how low they feel. The divine hand is open to those returning to the faith not just in Elul, but stories like that of Yaniv Rafael, happening in the month of Elul, fill us with tons of faith in divine providence and joy that we are the chosen people.

Sometimes, a person's spiritual state deteriorates to such an extent that their heart is closed, and they cannot realize how dire their situation is and how they need a drastic change - but then, if deemed worthy, divine intervention offers them an opportunity.

The purpose of the trial, hard as it may be, is to elevate and enable the person to reach the spiritual level Hashem desires for them. Yet sometimes, the trial is unbearably hard, and the person undergoing it might wrongly think that Hashem has abandoned them, leading them even further away.

When Yaniv Rafael (formerly Yariv) began his journey 17 years ago, he never imagined it would lead him back to Judaism, bringing about the miracles he longed for, one after the other.

At age 33, after getting married and becoming a father, Yaniv Rafael discovered he had multiple sclerosis, worsening over the years.

Yaniv Rafael before the illness

On his first time putting on tefillin: "I felt covered and that nothing could harm me."

All his life, Yaniv Rafael wasn't observant of Torah and mitzvot, and his lifestyle reflected a distance from all connected to them. But as time passed and the illness progressed, his soul cried out for something else even without his awareness. As it cried, he became bitter.

People were scarce in visiting him, and his soul continued to cry out, but no one understood what it wanted or how to help - until two and a half months ago when his condition became desperate. "It was so bad that we thought at that point he was ending his life's journey," recounts his relative, Yael.

"He was in such a severe state that in recent years he could only lie in bed incapable of movement, rarely leaving his house. His body swelled and became paralyzed, with only his mind working."

Even in his darkest moments, when it almost seemed like the end, he suddenly requested to put on tefillin. "At the moment I felt I had reached the lowest point possible, someone above turned on the light for me, and I began seeing things differently," says Yaniv.

According to Yael, when he requested to put on tefillin, his sister responded. "Though not religious or knowledgeable in the matter, she made efforts to obtain tefillin for him upon hearing his request. They then watched a tutorial on YouTube together on how to put on tefillin step by step."

What did you feel the first time you put on tefillin?

"First, I felt holiness. I felt covered, that nothing could harm me. Before, I felt I was without providence and no one to guard me. Now, no matter what happens or doesn't happen to me - it is under divine providence."

In a month: The swollen, painful hand that put on tefillin - returned to functioning  

Then it happened: without any explanation for how, Yaniv Rafael's condition began to improve, and he was released home days after first putting on tefillin. But it didn't stop there: he began requesting more spiritual reinforcement, and his family sought a religious person to help - which is how Yael and her husband got involved.

"When my husband and I first visited to help him put on tefillin, he barely spoke or heard, but we saw the tefillin was doing him good," recalls Yael and adds, "He asked us to come every day, and my husband agreed, starting a daily commute between Bnei Brak and Tel Aviv."

Their daily quality time devoted to spiritual reinforcement introduced Yaniv Rafael 'by chance' to the Hidabroot channel. "Once we showed him there's the Hidabroot channel, Yaniv Rafael couldn't stop watching lectures by Rabbi Zamir Cohen and Rabbi Eli Amr, quoting various things from them."

Simultaneously, he took on additional commitments like observing modesty, kashrut, and observing Shabbat - and astonishingly, within a month, the inner turmoil of his soul calmed, and a new person replaced the old Yaniv Rafael everyone knew. "I was so unbearable that even my closest friends and family rightfully avoided me. I constantly complained about pain, was angry, and only thought about myself. But now I see things differently, with a new perspective and strong faith."

"Within a month, I started seeing amazing improvement in my condition; the swollen hands I couldn't move returned to function after putting on tefillin. Today, it's my strong faith that gives me the strength to cope with my condition, and even when I'm in pain - I stay connected with Hashem."

How do you cope with your pain,and what’s your message to the people of Israel now, in the month of mercy and forgiveness?

"When I hurt, I start singing 'Shir LaMa'alot' tearfully, and I feel it helps me drive away the pain more quickly. My message to the people of Israel is to believe in Hashem and do His will. Believe so strongly and see miracles and wonders like I saw - that I manage to reach everywhere with my hand, and have an abundant blessing and a woman of valor" (he smiles at his wife).

A week and a half ago, his family celebrated a thanksgiving party for the daily improvement in his condition, despite claims that this illness has no chances of improvement. "During this event, we also added the name Rafael to him, and by the grace of Hashem, he felt well enough to share his story and express his thanks to those present. It was truly moving," says Yael.

In summary, what would you wish for yourself in the new year?

"First, to have a good year. It is said that on Rosh Hashanah, a person decides for themselves their livelihood, their health, and everything else. I hope on Rosh Hashanah I can pray well, and the heavens are open. I strive to keep the commitments I've taken upon myself like tefillin, Shabbat, kosher, blessings on everything I eat, and many other things. I've taken on as much as possible, and I believe I'll eventually stand on my feet - for the sanctification of Hashem's name."

"I do everything for the sanctification of Hashem's name, because a person standing up from a wheelchair after 17 years - is only due to Hashem, and it's a huge sanctification of Hashem's name. I think I can fill 'Teddy' with lectures, and I hope people will come to hear my story and be inspired. I'll prove to everyone that Hashem exists and sets the rules in the world, and He will show all the nations that even though Israel is so small - it can change everything in the world through its faith. Without faith, we have nothing. Israel has survived all the wars against all nations, thanks to what? All the giants faded, and Israel remained - thanks to what? Only the belief in Hashem."

Please pray for the complete and swift recovery of Yaniv Rafael Ben Bracha, among all the other sick of His people, Israel!