ואיש איש מבני ישראל…אשר יצוד ציד חיה או עוף…(אחרי יז:יג)

A husband and wife came to Reb Yisroel Dov of Vilednik zt’’l, the “Baal Shaaris Yisroel,” and they lamented over the wife’s right hand, which was paralyzed for the past six years. They visited top doctors and spent lots of money, but to no avail could they find a cure.

The tzaddik asked the ill woman: “I want to remind you of an episode that occurred when you were a child. You accompanied your father and brother to the fields to collect straw, and you kept watch over the hay wagon.  A young calf started chewing on the hay from the wagon, and with rage, you took a stick and hit the calf on the head and killed it.  You should know because of the sin of “צער בעלי חיים “ – of causing pain to an animal, you are punished today.”

The woman reminded herself of the story and immediately repented over it.  The tzaddik showed her a certain “תיקון” – a way to do teshuvah – repent and gave her a segulah – an omen for healing.  In a short time, the woman’s paralysis disappeared.