This same advice was given to Rabbi Nosson Barkahan of Lod, Israel. He had been visiting his friends, the Branovers, in the town of Omer in Israel’s Negev.1 Omer is home to many highly-trained professionals. On the weekend of his visit, the Branovers introduced Rabbi Barkahan to some of their neighbors, including Dr. Berline, a world-renowned authority on kidney disease.

Rabbi Barkahan saw this as more than a casual meeting. Later he approached his hosts. “I have tell-tale symptoms of a problem with my kidney. I have put off going to a doctor because of all the red tape involved in getting appointments and undergoing tests. But perhaps your relationship with the doctor will enable me to bypass some of the bureaucracy.”

Professor Branover was only too happy to assist his friend. He arranged an appointment with Doctor Berline, who discovered a large stone in Rabbi Barkahan’s kidney. “The only way to remove a stone of this size is by surgery,” he stated. Without a second thought, he asked his secretary to schedule a date for the operation.

Rabbi Barkahan promptly sought the Rebbe’s advice. “Act upon the advice of a doctor who is a friend,” the Rebbe replied.

After pondering the matter, Rabbi Barkahan dialed the Branovers’ phone number. “I wish to consult with you,” he told Mrs. Branover, relating to her the Rebbe’s answer. “You are a doctor and a friend.”

“But I am a pediatrician!” exclaimed Mrs. Branover.

“The Rebbe said ‘a doctor’,” persisted Rabbi Barkahan.

“But Dr. Berline is known throughout the world as an authority on kidney disease. If he feels that an operation is necessary, I have no reason to doubt his diagnosis.”

“Nevertheless,” insisted Rabbi Barkahan. “Since you are a doctor and a friend, I am asking your advice.”

Mrs. Branover took a deep breath and thought. “If the question was so simple, the Rebbe would not have told him to seek a second opinion.”

“Look,” she finally said. “You’ve lived with this thing for quite some time now. Why don’t you wait a while longer and see what happens?”

Within a week the stone dissolved and passed naturally. Dr. Berline could not understand; neither could the Branovers or Rabbi Barkahan. But there is often an advantage in following the advice of a doctor who is a friend.