והסרתי מחלה מקרבך (משפטים כג:כה)

Reb Shmiel Zev Roth zt”l, known as the Ujhelyer Dayan and Rosh Beis Din of Kehal Machzikei Hadas D’Chasidei Belz in Eretz Yisroel, related a story.

In 1953, when he was still serving as Rav in the Belzer Shtibel in Antwerp, Belgium, he was experiencing terrible chest pain. The doctors warned him that his condition was life-threatening, advising him to travel to Brussels for medical intervention weekly.

As the Yomim Noroim (=High Holidays) was approaching, he felt that he didn’t have the physical strength to undertake his annual trip to spend the Yomim Noroim with Maran Reb Aharon of Belz zt”l in Eretz Yisroel, as was his custom.

Elderly chassidim convinced the Ujhelyer Dyan to strengthen his resolve and travel to Eretz Yisroel since he could beseech Maran for a bracha (=blessing) for a Refuah Shelamah (=complete healing).

The Ujhelyer Dayan followed their advice and flew to Eretz Yisroel. During the days of Chol Hamo’ed (=intermediate days between Sukkos and Shemini Atzeres), when Maran Reb Aharon went out of the Sukkah following an Ushpizin tisch, the Ujhelyer Dayan approached Maran and asked for a Refuah Shelamah.

Maran Reb Aharon led the Ujhelyer Dayan into his room and said: “Don’t be a שלמזל’ניק (a fool), you’re not sick, you’re healthy, let go of the doctors.”  Maran repeated these words a few times, but the Ujhelyer Dayan continued lamenting his terrible pain.

Maran replied, “My father, Maran Reb Yissocher Dov of Belz zt”l, used to say: “A Yid who sits and learns, his toil in Torah is a refuah (healing) for all his ailments.”

From then on, the Ujhelyer Dayan’s pain receded until he was completely healed.

It’s interesting to note that during his final months, Uohalar Dayan became gravely ill and needed to see a doctor.  The doctor found a growth in his lungs that appeared to be dormant for a very long time, which suddenly came to life in what would be his final year.