Stories of Tzadikim – Rav Yechezkel Abramsky

Stories of Tzadikim – Rav Yechezkel Abramsky

A man who was about to undergo a complicated medical procedure involving a large-volume blood transfusion approached Rav Yechezkel Abramsky. “I pray every day in Birkat HaMazon that I will not have to undergo such procedures,” Rav Abramsky told him. “How is that possible?” the visitor asked. “Where is that mentioned in Birkat HaMazon?” Rav Abramsky explained that in the phrase לידי מתנת בשר ודם – “lidei matanot basar va-dam”, according to its straightforward meaning, we ask not to need gifts or handouts from human beings of flesh and blood, expressing our hope to rely solely on the help of the Almighty. But there is also a hidden meaning based on the literal translation of the words “basar” (flesh) and “dam” (blood) in this phrase: that we should not need someone else’s flesh (for a transplant) or blood (for a transfusion). One should have kavanah that the Almighty spare a person from ever finding themselves in a situation where they would need someone else’s flesh or blood. It is important to know that the blessing of Birkat HaMazon contains every letter of the Hebrew alphabet except ף “peh sofit.” The outstanding Kabbalist Rokeach reveals that the names of the seven Angels of Anger and Illness, which contain the letter ף—namely: אנף קצף שצף אף רשף נגף זעף, cannot be present wherever Birkat HaMazon is properly recited. We find these same words in the Amidah, in the 16th blessing, “Shema Koleinu,” in the insertion: “Ribono shel Olam, chatati, aviti, pashati...”   (From the video lesson “Birkat HaMazon”)