How Shabbat Heals Through Shabbat
On Shabbat, it is forbidden to take medication or treat michush (discomfort on Shabbat).
Moreover, a sick person may not even pray for relief from his pain or illness. According to Rabbi Meir, anyone who visits a sick person on Shabbat says: "Yechole hi shetacharem" - (May G-d have mercy). When a person prays for healing on Shabbat, the prayer changes: "Shabbat forbids us to cry—may healing come quickly." Shabbat itself is healing.
A Jew once asked the Skverer Rebbe, why his condition always worsened on Shabbat.
The Rebbe explained:
"G-d deliberately brings the illness to its peak on Shabbat because Shabbat possesses healing power. If the symptoms of the illness intensify, it is a sign that the sick person is on the path to recovery—in the hands of the Higher Power."
Rashi explains: "Shabbat can heal itself. Shabbat itself heals when, as a sick person, you are able to lift yourself up and restrain yourself from worrying about the illness, as one normally does. When you are able to feel faith in G-d, which can be attained only on Shabbat, and when you honor Shabbat by refraining from mispalel, you demonstrate your trust in G-d and draw closer to Him."
Then Shabbat itself directly brings healing! Shabbat takes the place of all the prayers we recite. Thus, Shabbat replaces all forms of treatment that are forbidden on this day. This is not a deprivation. Rather, it is one of Shabbat's special qualities—"Shabbat can heal itself." Therefore, on Shabbat we do not allow ourselves to feel sad or worried; this brings complete healing and recovery.
The Master of the universe will bring us complete healing and recovery—through Shabbat, with Shabbat, for Shabbat.
(Aryeh Brodkin)
