Team Izzy Continues To Fight

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When I discovered that Rav Zev Cohen, one of the preeminent rabbonim in the greater Chicago area, organizes a “Journey of Torah” – an intense week in Israel for a group of dedicated individuals – I knew that this was exactly what I needed to do.  The week includes davening Vasikin at the Kotel, mornings learning and the afternoons and evenings visiting Torah personalities, along with visits to the gravesites of tzaddikim, and chizuk and brachos from Gedolei HaDor.  When I was told that I wouldn’t be able to raise the funds, I responded that I wouldn’t have to – Izzy would. I refused to listen to the so-called voices of reason, as my emunah continues to be unwavering. I simply told those who questioned my sanity and the feasibility of my mission that if Hashem wants me to go to Israel on Izzy’s behalf, I would be there. Six days later, Izzy had raised the entire amount of required funds.

My trip to Eretz Yisroel was perhaps a game-changer. During a single day, we had the inimitable honor of davening Vasikin at the Kotel, Mincha in the home of Rav Chaim Kanievsky and Ma’ariv in the home of Rav Ahron Leib Shteinman. I spent the entire week on a spiritually elevated platform, never losing sight that this was Izzy’s journey, not my personal one; as I was but his emissary and spokesperson. My tears soaked my siddur as we davened at Ma’aras HaMachpeila, the gravesite of our holy patriarchs and matriarchs, and again at the kever of Rachel Emeinu, whose mercy and empathy for her children has no bounds.

As I frequently espouse, when one has a medical need, one seeks out the assistance of the best medical personnel in the world. Similarly, when one is attempting to invoke mercy from Hashem, one must seek advice from those who possess His private cell phone number, so to speak. I sought and received the advice of several of the most preeminent gedolim of our generation. In addition to my daily morning and evening sedorim, I have now incorporated a daily mussar seder in the middle of the work day, as well as a Tehillim seder in the evenings, where I read and explain the words while sitting at Izzy’s side. I find my days are now permeated with thoughts and actions of Torah, and my emunah and bitachon in the Boreh is perhaps stronger than ever. This trip has reinvigorated me, and given me solace, knowing that I have sought the advice of the world’s greatest experts – both rabbinically and medically.

Perhaps the highlight of the entire journey was my trip to the Kollel of Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein, a son-in-law of HaRav Elyashiv z”tl, considered by many to be the world’s greatest living authority in regards to medical ethics. We were still considering having Izzy undergo a Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT), in the hopes of stabilizing the progression of this vicious malady. I was amazed when the Rosh Yeshiva asked for me to be brought to him, in middle of a seder.  The Rosh Yeshiva deferred his own learning while we discussed – through an interpreter – the specifics of Izzy’s condition. The glow on his face and his affectionate smile as he shook my hand and heaped brachos upon Izzy still warms my heart. He requested that I furnish the yeshiva with copies of all documentation germane to the situation. When I got home I sent him a plethora of documents, close to 100 pages of medical records, expert opinions and medical research. It took less than a week for me to receive an elegant response, via a translator, that assured me that the Rosh Yeshiva not only reviewed the documentation but consulted with Israeli experts to ensure that he understood all of the intricate details of this extremely rare disease. This Gadol b’Torah took time from his own precious learning to make Izzy a priority. When the p’sak was to not proceed with the BMT, I was 100% comfortable that it was the correct p’sak, as it came from the highest level of Da’as Torah.