“I was sure the Rebbe had not heard correctly,” related Y. Shifrin, a visitor to New York from Bnei Brak, Israel. “It was Sunday; I had joined the line at “770” to request a blessing from the Rebbe for a book I was about to publish. In response, the Rebbe gave me an additional dollar and said: ‘Give tzedakah for her merit, and may she have a quick recovery.’

“I was mystified. Before I could collect my thoughts, the line had proceeded further. I was convinced that the Rebbe had not heard my request properly. I traveled back to my hosts’ home in Boro Park, only to be greeted with an urgent message. ‘Your wife called from Israel. She wants you to contact home immediately.’

“Anxiously, I placed the call. One of my daughters answered the phone, explaining that my wife was not home. ‘She is at the hospital,’ she said. My heart skipped a beat as the events unfolded. My youngest daughter who was in an advanced stage of pregnancy had lost consciousness and collapsed. The doctors described her condition as critical.

“With a jolt, the Rebbe’s words flashed through my mind. A deep sense of calm settled within me. I told my daughter of the encounter which had occurred only a short while earlier and tried to reassure her. ‘I’m sure everything will be fine.’

“I immediately gave tzedakah in my daughter’s merit. That evening, my wife called again. ‘The doctors have no explanation, but, thank G‑d, the crisis has passed.’”