We have already presented two articles on this
subject, this necessary bodily function which we highly
underestimate - until something goes wrong.
Each and every single mitzva has the power to save a
person and to work miracles. The simple blessing of "Asher
Yotzar" is certainly no exception.
Here, then, is the latest Asher Yotzar miracle story
just FAXed to Yated by Mr. Shimshon Halperin, the person
responsible for the attractive posters you see in so many
places which make you stop and say this blessing with
feeling. He writes that it was one of these articles in YATED
which gave the family the idea of distributing the posters -
and was instrumental in the subsequent miracle. The
following is a true story, names changed. And - no, we will
not spare you the details... That's the whole point.
Going to the bathroom is not usually an issue, but in
our home it has become somewhat major and we learned the hard
way what we have to be thankful for.
It all started when our daughter, Rivky, was two years
old and became severely constipated. This condition
continued, causing her to get a fissure, which was
excruciatingly painful. Rivky was petrified of moving her
bowels and contained herself as much as she could.
We went from doctor to doctor who prescribed different
medications, but Rivky, a smart kid, refused to take them,
even camouflaged in sweets. An additional side effect of
constipation is the leaking of watery acids that increase the
local irritation. The entire area, inside and out, became
inflamed and bleeding, and Rivky would scream in pain every
time I washed her and applied ointment, which was many times
a day. I did this with tears in my eyes, telling her how much
I loved her and wanted to make her comfortable.
Rivky's siblings were a great support and we all
resolved to say the Asher Yotzar blessing with all our
hearts. Once my six-year-old whispered to me afterwards,
"Mommy, I prayed that Rivky would be able to go to the
bathroom normally, just like I do." I fervently replied,
"Amen."
At age three, Rivky started nursery school. She loved
the social interaction but constantly came home soiled and
sore. She was increasingly absent and after several
embarrassing accidents, we realized that she would have to
stay home. When she was four, she was still suffering, but a
specially integrated nursery accepted her in diapers, which
she had to wear because of constant soiling due to the
various medications she was on.
At this stage, she was going to 2-3 appointments a week:
doctors, hospital clinics, osteopaths, reflexologists, but
still no improvement. In fact, her condition was getting
worse.
At this point, desperate, we thought of trying to
distribute the asher yotzar posters and arranged for
Mr. Halperin to mail them to us. In the meantime, Rivky's
consultant suggested she have her anus muscle stretched,
under general anesthesia, of course. After a traumatic
hospital stay, she returned home the same as before. Her
bowels refused to open. This caused the doctors to diagnose
nerve damage, which would require much more delicate and
risky surgery.
By this time, the posters had arrived and we began
distributing them. We had to go abroad briefly and we took
them along for distribution. Upon our return home, the
unbelievable happened. Rivky actually asked to go to the
bathroom! For the first time in 2 1/2 years, she
voluntarily opened her bowels!
Since then, she has continued. Rivky has bounced back to
normalcy and we are all enjoying this new child.
We made a seudas hoda'a for this miracle and
continue to thank Hashem whenever we recite this important
blessing, every day, every time.
For more information, call 03-5704633 in Israel. In
New York, call 914-426- 6188 or FAX 914-352-6422. The posters
are available in several languages.
