Amazing Stories

Cradling a Child

Six years of waiting and crying and hoping compelled me to make that phone call. It was before Lag Be’omer, and my desperation had reached its peak. With tears in my voice, I phoned the renowned Segulas Rashbi office and shared my plight, wishing to do something – anything – for Reb Shimon. R’ Chaim Leib offered the purchase of Chai Rotel, but in my distressed state, I wanted something more. Since Segulas Rashbi was the first to initiate the distribution of cold water for women, it was suggested that I help allocate the water. So there I was, all day quenching the thirst of thousands of women, and indeed, Reb Shimon didn’t let me down. When I hug my precious child, I know that Reb Shimon stormed the heavens for me. For my future. My children.

A Double Gift

I was yearning for a child. With all my heart, I wished to cradle my own precious one. The nine years of desperate waiting, dashed dreams, and shattered hopes were breaking my heart. My father, seeing my distress, advised me to purchase the zchus of Chai Rotel, and only by R’ Chaim Leib. I heeded his advice, and since R’ Chaim Leib is so involved in the Chai Rotel Segulah, I figured he possess a power and asked for his blessing. R’ Chaim Leib then promised that if I truly believe with firm faith in Hashem, He will listen to my cries and to the cries of the holy tannah Reb Shimon. I settled on buying two Chai Rotels. In return, R’ Chaim Leib generously blessed me I should give birth to twins. “But,” he reiterated, “It must come along with real unwavering faith in Hashem.” And I believed. I truly believed that only Hashem grants life. And only He performs miracles.

A short while before Purim, I ecstatically welcomed a double gift: my 2 darling princesses who fill my home with laughter and joy. I am a Mother.

Finally a Father

It was 2:00 a.m. My wife and I were tired after a long day in Meron and all we wanted was a bed. I spotted R’ Chaim Leib of Segulas Rashbi and inquired about sleeping quarters. When I asked about a bed for myself, R’ Chaim Leib suggested I fill the refrigerators with water bottles for tomorrow’s many guest. He then blessed me that in the merit of helping Reb Shimon’s visitors, I should finally embrace my own precious child. The thought of my empty quiet house waiting at home made me forgo the much needed sleep. I stacked the refrigerator, and thousands were refreshed. Precisely a year later, now as a proud new totty to the sweetest baby boy, I stood at the very same spot, passionately proclaiming to all, “It pays every dollar and every ounce of strength. Donate to Segulas Rashbi. Work for Reb Shimon’s guest. Miracles do happen.” My son is evidence.

10% survival– 100% Success

10%. The chance of survival the doctors gave me. With such a slim prognosis, I was aware that only a miracle could save me. The hazardous surgery was scheduled, and all I could do was pray. Hard. I recalled hearing of the power of Chai Rotel and phoned Segulas Rashbi requesting Chai Rotel be distributed in my zchus. Two days following the surgery, my son contacted Segulas Rashbi and emotionally related the results: the surgery was very successful and the doctors are stunned by the unforeseen success. Well, we knew the truth, the reason behind it.

The Heart Healed

My son’s life was in danger. It was 1:30 a.m. and the ambulance’s siren was piercing the stillness of night. I choked back my tears as I whispered in earnest prayer. Upon our arrival to the ER, I was informed that the area surrounding my son’s heart is seriously infected and he is in critical danger. In desperate search of something to hold on to, I quickly called Segulas Rashbi’s 24 hour yeshuah hotline and detailed the distress I’m in. Right then and there, a minyan was sent to recite tehillim for my son’s recovery at Reb Shimon’s holy gravesite. I instantly felt the calm course through my veins. The following day, which was on Rosh Chodesh, Segulas Rashbi distributed Chai Rotel as a zchus for my son. No more than two (!) days later, I was delighted to inform Segulas Rashbi that Boruch Hashem my son’s heart is in perfect function and he is out of danger. To our gratitude and relief, he was recovering beautifully. Thank you Segulas Rashbi. Thank you Reb Shimon. Ultimately, thank you Hashem.

The Bris – On Time

My newborn’s bris was postponed for three weeks already. The baby was struck with a specific illness thereby suspending the bris. I wanted to speed up things, so I contacted R’ Chaim Leib and requested to purchase Chai Rotel. He suggested that perhaps I rather sponsor the Hoshanna Rabba food distribution. Immediately, I contributed a few hundred dollars. On Sunday, following Simchas Torah, I excitedly updated Segulas Rashbi that the bris was performed….Guess when? On Hoshanna Rabba!

Kidney Transplant – Within the Year

I was a volunteer in Meron. Fourteen years ago, before Lag Be’omer of 2006, R’ Chaim Leib approached me and asked if I would lend a helping hand. Since a family member of mine was then in desperate need of a kidney transplant, I’d do it as a zchus for the patient. R’ Chaim Leib assured me that I’ll witness Reb Shimon’s tremendous power, specifically for those who care for his gravesite visitors and confidently declared that hopefully, within a year, my relative will find a suitable kidney. Many months passed and several weeks before Pesach, R’ Chaim Leib recruited me again, yet this time I declined, claiming that the year’s nearly over and my relative still has quite a while on the waiting list. R’ Chaim Leib though reasoned that the year still offers some weeks. It all seemed bleak. Then….Sunday, several days prior to Lag Be’omer of 2007, while R’ Chaim Leib was preparing for the Meron festivities I urgently called with the astounding news: An appropriate match was found and the transplant surgery was an absolute success! Indeed – within the year.

Out of Destitution

I barely managed to put bread on my table. I was learning in Kollel and promised to pay a debt of $1,000 on that very day with no idea from where to obtain the funds. The situation was dire. It was Erev Rosh Chodesh Kislev, so I phoned a Segulas Rashbi volunteer who was preparing the portions in Meron and urged him to distribute the meals as a zchus for my financial relief. The man kindly took my name and promised to fulfill my request. A few hours (!) thereafter, an acquaintance approached me and graciously handed over the sum of…yes…precisely one thousand dollars. I was dumbfounded. My benefactor explained that a man entrusted him with this sum and asked to pass it on to a trustworthy learning student. And I was the first one he met!

Business in Bounty

I was quite apprehensive before that deal. I was planning to buy a business, and lot of money was at stake. If the deal was successful – I’d strike it rich, but if it failed – I’d rather not think about it. Wanting to ensure future success, I contacted R’ Chaim Leib and expressed my wish to perform a good deed in honor of Reb Shimon. Heeding the advice of R’ Chaim Leib, I committed to a monthly contribution of $200 to uphold part of the Erev Rosh Chodesh food distribution. Boy, was that a smart choice! After several months, I increased my contribution to $500, for I felt Reb Shimon’s merit in my every endeavor. Yes, it was a wise investment to partner with Reb Shimon.

Prosperous Parnassah

I am a double witness to the power of Reb Shimon. Not once, but actually twice I observed his tremendous power. It all started when my heart was aching to hold my own child. We waited so long, and the wait seemed interminable. After hearing about the incredible segulah of Chai Rotel, I purchased the merit as a zchus. I fervently prayed and hoped, and when we were finally granted this heavenly gift in the form of a healthy baby, our gratitude knew no bounds. Hashem has bestowed us with much blessings, yet I was seriously struggling to make ends meet, as my financial state was rather rough. Since my child was my constant reminder of Reb Shimon’s koach, I approached R’ Chaim Leib before Lag Be’omer and requested again to purchase the merit of Chai Rotel, in entreat for financial relief. Well, the following July, a mere three months later, I contributed $1,000 to Segulas Rashbi, and the sum was just part of my maaser. The results speak for themselves. Need I say more?!

A Home of my Own

I was so alone. It was painfully difficult to be divorced and felt completely alone on this world. In my desperation, I pleaded Hashem on Lag Be’omer at the holy gravesite of Reb Shimon that I should finally merit to build a home of my own. Upon walking out of the maarah, I spotted R’ Chaim Leib of Segulas Rashbi, and being aware of his tireless efforts for Reb Shimon, I shared with him my loneliness and pain. R’ Chaim Leib, upon seeing my distress, warmly blessed me that by the time I return home after my trip to Eretz Yisroel, I should have good news to share. I fervently answered Amen, and believed that the holy taanah won’t let me down. How emotional and overjoyed was I when I tearfully phoned R’ Chaim Leib to notify him of my yeshuah. The diamond ring sparkling on my kallah’s finger mirrored my sparkling eyes.

My Joyous Night

I was filled with emotion as I dialed the numbers. When Segulas Rashbi’s volunteer answered the phone, I requested to speak with R’ Chaim Leib personally. After pleasant greetings, I began, “it is my honor, R’ Chaim Leib, to cordially invite you to my wedding.” In a voice laced with passion, I continued: “R’ Chaim Leib, I owe you tremendous gratitude. It’s difficult to explain my parents’ pain and frustration when I reached my 26th birthday. My parents and I have reached a breaking point. I then contacted you on Lag Be’omer and pleaded for your blessings. You kindly suggested that I beseech Hashem at Reb Shimon’s gravesite on Lag Be’omer, pledge to improve in a specific area, and then work on it for forty consecutive days. I followed your advice, and even bought Chai Rotel as a zchus. R’ Chaim Leib, within the forty days I was engaged! And now, I am thrilled to dance with you on my joyous night.” As I hung up the phone, I thought about my bleak past and promising tomorrow. And I thanked Reb Shimon from the depth of my heart.

Finally Hired

I was jobless. It was painful to watch my children’s faces when they asked for a new pair of shoes, but I couldn’t afford it. It was even more agonizing to see their longing eyes in the supermarket, but my hands were tied. I needed job. And fast. Since it was two weeks before Lag Ba’omer, I went over to R’ Chaim Leib of Segulas Rashbi. I was aware of the Maglei Tzedek dictum that promises that anyone who does a charitable deed in honor of Rabbi Shimon will be helped with whatever he needs. R’ Chaim Leib suggested that I collect money for one skid of water. I did as I was told. It sounds unreal, but the week following Lag Ba’omer I was hired for an excellent job, with a salary of my dreams.

Yes, for Shabbos I bought shiny colorful lollipops for my kinderlach. Their eyes shone like mine.

Business Success

It was a short while before Pesach. I was about to invest in a large business venture along with my father, and we were both hoping and praying for success. I therefore approached R’ Chaim Leib Weiss, director of Segulas Rashbi and told him about my new venture. “If the deal succeeds,” I promised, “I’ll donate three skids of water toward the Lag Ba’omer gathering in Meron.”

However, R’ Chaim Leib replied, “It doesn’t work that way. You must have complete conviction that Hashem will help you in the merit of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. Therefore, donate the three skids of water now, and in this merit, you will have success. And,” he concluded, “most Rabbi Shimon success stories occur as soon as the person undertakes to help the Meron visitors.”

I agreed. Well, what should I say? Fact remains fact. One week after Pesach, I happily approached R’ Chaim Leib, holding a check in my hand. Boruch Hashem, we saw tremendous hatzlacha in the new deal, way beyond expectation. Every dime spent was well worth it.

Two boys – Two Engagements

We were the old boys of yeshiva. The two boys that desperately needed shidduchim. It was before Pesach, and we decided to collect money for a skid of water to donate to Meron visitors. We knew that whoever does a good deed for Reb Shimon sees salvation, and at that point, we were willing to do anything. When we informed R’ Chaim Leib of our undertaking, he was very pleased and told us, “In the alte heim, when Jews in the shtetl were in need of a yeshua, they would enlist a messenger who would take their kvitlach to the rebbe. The journey would sometimes take long months. When the messenger would arrive, he’d tell the rebbe, “The Jews need a yeshua for so long already.” And the rebbe would respond, “as soon as you sat into the wagon, the yeshua has begun.”

R’ Chaim Leib concluded the little anecdote and said, “From the moment you’ve undertaken to fund a skid of water, your yeshua is already here.”

Believe it or not, within a few weeks both of us were engaged. We were no longer the old boys. We were rather radiant young chasanim - before Lag Ba’omer. Indeed, the yehsua has begun when we set foot in the wagon!

Acquitted in Trial

The letter arrived in the mail, like a thunder in a cloudless day. In neat black letters, the official document outlined the date and time I was summoned to the courthouse. I got into trouble with the law, and the pending trial meant even more trouble. The scheduled date was around Lag Ba’omer and wanting to increase my merits in Heaven, I donated a skid of water for the Meron visitors.

A day after Lag Ba’omer, the day of my trial, I appeared before the judge. After reviewing my case, I was….yes, found innocent! I knew the outcome from beforehand. Well…Chai Rotel granted me freedom.

Donor Found

My kidneys were failing. I urgently needed a kidney transplant, but hard as I tried, I couldn’t find a suitable kidney donor. Seeing my desperate state, my family offered to donate a skid of water for Reb Shimon’s guest. On the day of Lag Ba’omer (!), a donor was found!!

When I go about my daily duties, feeling healthy and strong, I thank Hashem with all my heart, and I thank Reb Shimon for his promise.