Rami Danoch, Founder of 'Tzlilei Ha'ud': "The Doctor Examined the Images and Said: 'You Have a Growth on Your Brainstem'"

"There are moments in life you never forget," Rami Danoch, 69, married and a father of five living in Rishon LeZion, a singer, creator, cantor, and one of the founders of the renowned band 'Tzlilei Ha'ud', tells me at the start of our conversation. "Yes," Danoch sighs, "there are moments that are etched into your memory and don't leave. Exactly thirty years ago, we lived in Tiberias for a year. My wife is originally from Tiberias, and it suited us. I finished a performance in Tel Aviv, got on the coastal highway heading north, and halfway through, my right eye started to itch. I scratched it, thought everything was fine, but suddenly realized I couldn't see the road. I saw only black. I pulled over to understand what was happening and realized that I couldn't see with my left eye at all. I understood that when I scratch my right eye and close it, I can't see anything. I continued driving, planned to get home and see what was going on.

"I got home, washed my face, and told my wife the story. My wife reassured me that there was nothing to worry about. Hours went by, and the vision in my left eye didn't return. I went to an eye doctor, who examined me and referred me for a head scan. I asked why it was necessary, and he said he couldn't explain. I did the scan, and the person handing me the results asked me to return to the doctor who sent me. I was very curious, so I couldn't resist and opened the envelope. I didn't understand most of it—many complicated words in English—but I read the summary, which stated: 'A growth was found above the eye stem.' I was in complete shock. My legs started trembling. I realized I couldn't drive. I called my wife, who came and drove us home."

(Photo: Nir Amos)

An Urgent Telegram in the Middle of the Night

"One of the interesting things about this story is that about six months before, I returned to religious observance. I come from a religious home, but drifted away during my military service, and at age 39, I made my way back. I was invited to perform at a wedding at David's Tomb, and the atmosphere there was simply amazing. Beyond that, there was a rabbi speaking at the wedding, and his words touched me deeply.

"During the event, the rabbi approached me and praised my singing and my control of the maqams. I replied that it was thanks to my upbringing, and he suggested that there was a class at his yeshiva every Tuesday, inviting me to come. After about two months, I remembered the rabbi, called him, and said I would come to the next class with an accompanist to bring some joy. It was a very special evening. I continued to connect with the rabbi, and thus my religious growth continued. Before long, I began observing the commandments properly, and thank God, have continued to this day.

"Apropos returning to faith," continues Danoch, "my story has strengthened many people to this day. I have told it numerous times at 'Values' conferences, among others. I am very happy to share it now with Hidabroot, and hope many people will draw strength from it. Hashem had mercy on me and granted me several miracles in a short period. One thing in which I saw Hashem's kindness was that the growth turned out to be benign, not malignant, God forbid. I returned to the eye doctor with the results, and he sent me to the neurology department at Tel HaShomer. The doctor there recognized me, examined the scans, and said: 'You have a growth on your brainstem. Although it's benign, the surgery will be complex. It's in a very sensitive area.'

"I asked the doctor what the next step was, and he said he wasn't supposed to tell me this, but his recommendation was for a specialist surgeon from abroad to operate on me. He told me about a guy who had a similar surgery and suggested I talk to him. The doctor asked that guy if he agreed for me to contact him, and after he agreed, I traveled to Holon to meet him. That man told me about Prof. Dolenc, a doctor from Yugoslavia, considered the world's number one brain surgeon. He called him, told him about me, and the professor requested the findings to know how to proceed.

"A few days later, that man got back to me and said the professor was willing to operate on me, but in Yugoslavia. At that time, the early 90s, there was a war there, and I was afraid to go. However, I understood that I had no choice, and had to travel. I asked the man from Holon about the cost of the surgery, and he said $50,000. I was heartbroken to hear the enormous amount and responded that my financial situation wasn't great, so unfortunately, I couldn't raise such a sum. The man from Holon said he'd talk to him and get back to me.

"There was so much divine assistance in this story. Truly blatant miracles. The man who mediated between the professor and me returned after a few days and said the professor was willing to do the surgery for $25,000. I started trying to organize the money, went to our city mayor in Rishon LeZion, and asked for a large hall for an event with several artists where the proceeds would go towards funding the treatment.

"I started talking to artists to organize the event, and one night I came home late and saw someone from the postal service looking for our mailbox. I approached and asked what was happening, and he said he was looking for the Danoch family because they received a telegram. I said I am Danoch, took the telegram, and when I opened it, I saw it was my doctor's letter: 'Call me as soon as you receive this telegram.' I went into tremendous stress. I didn't know what to do. It was really worrying news. I called him at two in the morning, and he told me to come to his department at eight the next day. I was utterly anxious."

Rami Danoch - "Shir Hashirim":

Mister, Do You Speak with Hashem?

According to Danoch, in addition to the numerous surprises they didn't expect, during their meeting, the doctor suddenly began talking to them about the Creator of the World. "My wife and I sat in his office, and he, a secular doctor, asked me: 'Mr. Danoch, I want to ask you a question - Do you speak with Hashem?' I answered that I do, that I pray, of course, and then he explained that the doctor from Yugoslavia sent a telegram stating he intended to come operate on me in the country. This was a doctor whom people implored for years to come to operate in Israel, mainly so doctors here could learn his methods, and he refused to come. That doctor told me the professor would operate on August 6th and referred me for several scans. I called the guy from Holon to tell him about this, and he was shocked, saying he'd talk to the doctor about the payment and get back to me. After several hours, he called back saying the operation would cost $7,000.

"I was hospitalized two or three days before the surgery, prepared for what was to come, and in one of my conversations with the department manager's secretary, she said I wouldn't pay a single cent for the surgery. I was simply stunned. The night before the surgery, the professor arrived, looked at me, pinched my cheek, and said everything would be fine. Thank God, I had a good feeling, also because before the surgery, I visited a great sage living in Rishon LeZion named Mori Salem. When I visited him, he gave me an amulet, instructing me not to remove it until after the surgery. The operation was tough and complex, lasting 14 hours, all in the presence of 30 doctors. The surgery was also filmed because everyone in Israel wanted to learn Prof. Dolenc’s method of opening the skull and, through the hole, suctioning the growth.

(Photo: Nir Amos)

"I was in recovery for two weeks and then returned to myself, resumed performing, etc. However, I haven't seen with my left eye since. I knew that even before the surgery. There are 6 cavities above each eye, and above my left eye, 3 burned out. I took this news relatively well and said thank God, at least I see with one eye. Praise Hashem, 30 years have passed since, and I’ve never once seen a doctor in this regard. I went to doctors for minor things like the flu, but regarding the growth - absolutely nothing. Unbelievable divine providence. I share this story, my story, because it’s important for me that people know the power of prayer, that there is amazing divine providence from the Blessed Creator, and that there is a Creator to the world – who runs everything here."

Rami Danoch - "Derech Hamusar":