"I've Witnessed the Greatest Leaders of Israel in Their Hardest Hours, and I've Learned a Lot"

As I delved deeper into the interview with R' Raphael Gabriel, my admiration grew—how fortunate he was to serve these holy figures up close. A physical therapist by profession, he treated most of Israel's renowned leaders across various sectors and Hassidic communities, including the kabbalist Rabbi Kaduri zt"l, Rabbi Ben Zion Abba Shaul zt"l, Harav Ovadia Yosef zt"l, Rabbi Bransdorfer zt"l, and may they live long—Rabbi Sternbuch and Rabbi Yehuda Ades shlit"a, and the list goes on. Many yearn for such an opportunity, yet he was there, serving with unmatched professionalism, all with quiet humility.

I Have Never Missed Putting on Tefillin

In 1958, Gamal Abdel Nasser, President of Egypt, expelled all Jews from Egypt. The Gabriel family was among them and fled to France. A year later, their son Raphael was born. The Gabriel family home was a traditional one that included Kiddush on Shabbat eve and marking holidays and customs. However, in the spirit of that era, everything was confusing and permissive, and North African Judaism began to crumble in an atmosphere of "progress and enlightenment." They too were swept away. They arrived on Rosh Hashanah at the synagogue for the shofar blowing, but sadly, they came by car... Judaism had become an act of customs and tradition without any commitment.

"I grew up in Marseille," says R' Gabriel, "in a home where there was much respect for religion, but practically, religious observance was not part of the household practice. From the age of 13, I first put on tefillin and since then, there hasn't been a day when I haven't put on tefillin. Although I didn't keep Shabbat then, I was very diligent about wearing tefillin."

As he matured, he pursued higher education at a university in Paris, where he met Chabad Hassidim, who opened the doors of the Jewish world to him. Gradually, he discovered the world beyond, but he still wasn't able to cross over to it.

In 1982, he completed a Bachelor's degree in physiotherapy. "I returned to my parents' home in Marseille, where, armed with the spiritual knowledge I gathered in Paris, I met Rabbi Yosef Sitruk zt"l, who gave classes in Marseille, and most Jews in Marseille owe their spiritual lives to him, because many were strengthened by his influence. I too became part of the statistics, strengthened my faith, and began to keep Shabbat.

"A small voice in my heart always told me: 'One day I will leave France and make aliyah to Israel'," he adds. And indeed it happened. After his marriage, R' Raphael made aliyah, where he learned Hebrew, which helped him read the sacred texts. He continued, slowly but surely, to strengthen his faith.”

Strengthening in the Shadow of Illness

In Israel, R' Raphael quickly became known as a sought-after expert and treated many of Israel's great leaders. In 1991, he had the merit to meet and treat Rabbi Ben Zion Abba Shaul zt"l. "I was with him 3-4 times a week. The more I treated him, the more I was exposed. I saw the great leaders of Israel who came to him, I saw a leader of the generation in his essence. It magnetized me and obligated me as well. I began wearing black and white, connecting to the community, entering the ultra-Orthodox world.

"On the 19th of Tammuz, 1998, the 'Ark of the Covenant' was taken; the Rabbi passed to his eternal rest, leaving us orphaned, broken, and crushed. It was one of the hardest moments of my life. I was connected and attached to the Rabbi, his passing was a loss for the entire Jewish people, and for me among them," he adds sorrowfully.

A year later came his second devastation. "My wife was diagnosed with the most cursed of diseases. It wasn't discovered immediately; we went from doctor to doctor until the diagnosis came with its malignant arms. I knew the situation was serious; I was busy with prayers and supplications to the Healer of all flesh to spare me and my children a healthy and complete mother. It was a period where my faith and spiritual life surged forward. I poured my heart in prayers and supplications, and now, having lost my guide, it was sevenfold more difficult. During this time, my wife and I also approached the Hassidic world. As part of my practice, I treated great Hassidic leaders like Rabbi Bransdorfer, Rabbi Tuvia Weiss, the Rebbes of Toldos Aharon, and many more from all corners. The ultra-Orthodox community alongside leading Kabbalists, like Rabbi Kaduri zt"l, Rabbi Ovadia zt"l. I consoled them. Sadly, a year later, my wife returned her soul to her creator. I was left alone with five orphaned children."

Despite all this pain, R' Raphael did not despair.

You Don't Need to Thank Me, We Need to Thank You

In 1998, he met Rabbi Yehuda Ades for the first time. "I prayed on holidays at Kol Yaakov, and R' Ades asked me to organize a dinner for French Jews on behalf of the yeshiva. From that time until today, I hold the dinner at my home. When my wife passed away, Rebbetzin Ades called and asked me to send the girls to her. She would sit with them every day to help with their homework and look after them. She raised them lovingly and with extraordinary dedication.

"During this period, a childless couple approached me, seeking to do acts of kindness to have merit. They asked me to help raise the children. I agreed on the condition of payment, and so they lived with me for two years. The woman cared for the daughters, and the man—for the sons. After 12 years of waiting for offspring, they were blessed. When I thanked them, they said to me, 'We should thank you.' Today, they have three healthy and whole children."

I believe that being alongside such great spiritual figures contributed significantly to you, beyond what you've shared so far.

"Of course, it contributed to me and my family. In general, my children were more exposed to these majestic figures. I often took them to receive blessings and to behold the splendor of these holy faces. Every Shabbat, I would share stories I witnessed that week with the great leaders of the generation.

"I'll tell you a real miracle that happened to us thanks to a blessing from Rabbi Ben Zion Abba Shaul. My wife was pregnant with our fifth son, and during a routine check-up, it was found that the fetus had a brain issue that endangered her health. The pregnancy was high-risk, and the doctors wanted to perform a birth immediately. I went to Rabbi Ben Zion and told him what was happening. He said, 'You have nothing to worry about; the fetus is healthy and whole.' I said again, 'They say he has a brain problem that endangers the mother,' but the Rabbi insisted. I asked, 'Does the Rabbi decree?' and he said, 'Yes.' When the time came, we went to the hospital for the operation, but when it was time for surgery, my wife had already given birth naturally, a healthy and perfect child.

"Three months later, the specialist doctor who had diagnosed the 'problem' called to check on the baby. He expected to hear the worst. When I told him we had a healthy, complete child born at his time, he was stunned, utterly shocked. I told him about the blessing and promise I received from Rabbi Ben Zion. He marveled and said, 'You have experienced an enormous miracle, I usually don't make mistakes.' It was tangible, there was a great miracle here."

This is just one miracle among many, I suppose.

"I'll tell you another thing. In 1995, when the rabbi was in a wheelchair, he would come for treatment at the 'Sheva Tova' nursing home in the Bukharin quarter. One day, two secretaries from the institution wanted to take a picture with the rabbi. The rabbi said nothing. They stood behind him and took a picture. After they developed the film, all the pictures were fine, except that picture—it was completely ruined.

"By the way, the arrangement that allowed the rabbi to receive treatment at 'Sheva Tova' became well-known. I can testify that everyone who requested a blessing during those days was blessed with a son, except one woman who had waited seven years for children and was blessed with a daughter."

"Tell Him I Love Him Beyond Words"

You mentioned you spent a lot of time alongside Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. What is the main thing you remember from those years?

"It was a time when disputes were numerous among the rabbinical courts, especially the dispute between Rabbi Schach and Rabbi Ovadia. One day, I was alone with Meran, and he asked me where I pray. Hesitantly, I replied 'Kol Yaakov.' At that moment, Meran told me in these words: 'If you see Rabbi Yehuda Ades, tell him that I love him beyond words.' My heart was pounding wildly, astounded. I did not expect this. When I met Rabbi Yehuda Ades, I conveyed Rabbi Ovadia's message. If I was amazed at Meran's words at first, by the latter, I did not know where to place myself out of joy and excitement. Rabbi Ades immediately replied, 'Tell him I love him many times over, more than he loves me.'

(Photo: Flash 90)

"This joy of seeing the great leaders of the generation having no hostility between them, only great love, strengthened my soul and dispelled all tension that naturally arises. It was the lesson of my life, seeing with my own eyes the love and esteem between the great leaders of Israel, realizing that all 'disputes' are products of gossip and slander by unworthy people." It seems that this story is the cornerstone for all peace, in every community, stream, and community in our public."

There are stories of numerous wonders in the sanctum of Rabbi Kaduri zt"l, did you witness one?

"Many people came to him with names for matches or for healing, and he would say 'suitable' or 'not suitable.' I had a cousin who got caught up with Crohn's disease - an intestinal disease, which led to severe body-wide infection. The situation was dire, a systemic collapse in medical terms. I approached Rabbi Kaduri and asked for his blessing. He wrote a kamea (amulet) and told me: 'Fly to France immediately, place it on him and he will get well.' Of course, I did as instructed, flew to him in France, placed the kamea, and two days later, he recovered and was out of danger."

You served great leaders of Israel from all sectors and communities. You previously mentioned Rabbi Bransdorfer zt"l, known for being part of the "Haredi Community", and Rabbi Sternbuch. You have touched all streams.

"Yes, Rabbi Bransdorfer had a unique vision. When my daughter reached the age of "the man who sanctifies," we were torn between a few candidates. I approached him with the names, he concentrated a bit, pointed at one name, declaring it was her match, and indeed it fit perfectly and my daughter is happily married.

"With Rabbi Sternbuch, I remember a particularly rainy day when his assistant called requesting that I provide treatment for the Rabbi. As the Rabbi is very strict about guarding his eyes, he asked me to come to his home. I explained that I needed the medical equipment available at the clinic, and it could not be brought to the Rabbi's house. We finally agreed that the Rabbi would come to the clinic where I worked.

"That day was exceptionally rainy, rain didn't stop for a moment, and people didn't leave their homes. When the Rabbi arrived, no one was at the clinic. Even after treatment, everything was in place for the Rabbi's honor. It was amazing to see how Heaven assists him and arranges everything for him naturally. I was greatly impressed."

He also has a touching story from the Lithuanian community: "Rabbi Nathan Tzvi Finkel zt"l, head of the Mir Yeshiva, as is known, suffered from Parkinson's disease, it was difficult for him to speak. Nonetheless, he devoted himself literally to delivering his lecture. Every time, half an hour before the class, he would receive a special injection to help him articulate his words. The lecture took him between an hour to an hour and a half, and he delivered it with all his strength and dedication. As soon as he finished and got home, he would collapse on the bed, unable to move due to the extreme effort this demanded. Delivering the lecture was beyond his natural capabilities, and here you witness a human being succeeding to overcome material constraints to create something beyond. It was miraculous."

Money from Shabbat Desecrators Has No Blessing

These are thrilling stories, each with thousands of insights and lessons to take home with us. I believe we only touched the tip of the iceberg stored with you, and here I wish to ask, what was the story that touched your heart particularly?

"I have many stories... I think every event I witnessed, from which I have learned—in the abundance of experiences I had with Rabbi Ben Zion, Rabbi Ades, and all the great leaders of the generation where I was fortunate to be present. Now, a story from Rabbi Chacham Reuven Serebryansky zt"l comes to mind. He suffered incredible suffering in his life. He was ill with multiple sclerosis— a severe and irreversible disease, with uncertainty about what would come next. With each attack, you don’t know where it will take you, how much damage it will cause, and if it can be repaired at all. Even if you rehabilitate with enormous efforts, a new attack might shatter everything you built painstakingly. In short, a complicated disease by all accounts.

"Eventually, the Rabbi passed away from cancer, not the disease, but despite all the suffering and tremendous anguish throughout his life, the Rabbi was the happiest man in the world. Once he told a unique occurrence—his daughter was married to the chief rabbi of Brazil. Upon one of his visits, millionaire Safra, a well-known figure, came to greet the Rabbi. The Rabbi had a yeshiva and needed every donation to continue its operation. Safra took out a cheque and wrote a legendary sum of one million dollars, no less, and handed it to the Rabbi. 'Thank you very much, but I'm not willing to accept your money,' Rabbi Serebryansky told him. 'Why?' asked the astonished Safra. 'There is no blessing in your money. You do not observe Shabbat, and I do not accept money from someone who does not observe Shabbat,' the Rabbi straightforwardly answered him. 'People come pleading with me to give them a hundred thousand dollars, and here the Rabbi turns down such a large amount that I voluntarily offered!?' Safra could not believe it. The Rabbi did not relent, 'If you promise to repent and observe Shabbat, I will agree to receive the money.'"

And what happened in the end?

R' Raphael laughs, "The Rabbi did not tell me the continuation, but I know that Safra eventually began to observe Shabbat."

I thank R' Raphael for agreeing to share what he witnessed, taking us on a tour around the globe of the Torah world, across all hues, streams, and communities. Blessed is the nation whose rabbis they are.