Basya Tsybukmakher
This story was told by the grandson of the renowned Rabbi Michael Peretz, one of Mexico's leading rabbis:
A month ago, a Jewish man of about sixty called me. I did not recognize his voice, but after he introduced himself, I remembered that we had met once before. There had been no connection between us until this telephone conversation. He said he wanted to invite me to a thanksgiving meal.
We live in the same neighborhood, and I was happy to accept his invitation, although I did not quite understand why he had decided to invite me in particular.
- “What are you giving thanks for?” I asked.
- “I had coronavirus. For an entire month I was in a coma, connected to a ventilator. And, thank the Almighty, I regained consciousness.”
- “Blessed is He who heals the sick!” I was deeply moved. And no wonder—the man had been on the verge of death and had managed to return to life! Every such case plants another little seed of hope for healing. I still felt no connection to this man, but I was very happy for him and told him I would try to come to the meal.
I was not the only person who received such an invitation by telephone. Eighteen people attended the meal. Some knew the guest of honor better, others less well, but we were all surprised that he had invited us in particular, and he did not leave us wondering for very long.
The man whom the Almighty, in His mercy, had brought back to life began his story:
«While I lay unconscious, I saw myself ascending to Heaven. I saw my mother, who is no longer alive. She cried out:
- “What are you looking for here? Go back down at once!”
- “I want to go down,” I said, “but I can't!”
- “Look down,” my mother told me. “Look, and you will see that you can!”
I looked down. And do you know what I saw? I saw all of you! Everyone who is here at this meal! With books of Tehillim in your hands, you were praying for me and pulling me back down. And I returned to this world—returned, thanks to you!»
When he told us this, my whole body began to tremble. I had no idea! I assure you, I had never even imagined how much power there is in the Tehillim I recite. After all, what had I actually done? Someone gave me this Jewish man's name, telling me he was in serious condition. I opened a book of Tehillim and read one psalm! Just one psalm!!! And, mentioning his name, I asked for his speedy recovery.
It turns out that by doing this, I brought him back to the land of the living. Besides me, there are seventeen other people who heard this story from the Jewish man who had been between life and death and was brought back to life. Now we know how we, who are healthy, can help our brothers who are ill.
Translation by Ch. Berman