One Friday, a package of X-rays arrived at the office of Rabbi Moshe Feller, the Rebbe’s shliach in Minneapolis-S. Paul. Together with it came a letter from Rabbi Groner asking Rabbi Feller to take the X-rays to Dr. John Moe, a professor at the University of Minnesota Medical Center.

A chassid had sustained a back injury in the plant at which he was employed. All the doctors he had seen had recommended surgery, but before undergoing the operation, the chassid wanted the Rebbe’s advice and blessing. The Rebbe, however, had hesitated. He wanted, Rabbi Groner’s note explained, to hear the opinion of Dr. Moe, an internationally renowned expert on the spine.

Rabbi Feller had heard of Dr. Moe. Indeed, most people in Minneapolis had; his reputation had attracted patients from around the world. How could one get in touch with such a sought-after physician?

But a chassid does not ask too many questions. Rabbi Feller drove to the University of Minnesota campus and tried to see Dr. Moe. “There is a world-famous Rabbi in New York who respects Dr. Moe’s opinion,” Rabbi Feller told the receptionist. “Although he has recommendations from other doctors, this Rabbi wants Dr. Moe’s advice. Can I show him these X-rays?”

Rabbi Feller’s insistence got him past the receptionist, but not beyond Dr. Moe’s personal secretary. “The doctor isn’t in right now,” she told him, “but even if he was, I couldn’t schedule an appointment; he’s booked for weeks.”

Rabbi Feller tried to explain who the Rebbe was, and that the future of a man with a serious back injury was involved.

“Look at all this mail,” she replied, pointing to her desk, “and look at my appointment book. What do you want me to do?”

After discussing the options, she asked Rabbi Feller to leave the X-rays with her. She would mention the matter to the doctor and get back to Rabbi Feller when she could.

It was Friday afternoon and a short Friday at that. Rabbi Feller did not see any alternative and so agreed to her suggestion, putting the matter out of his mind. After all, he had a busy Shabbos coming up, and did not know when if ever he would receive an answer.

It was a busy Shabbos, and the melaveh malkah with his students Saturday night kept Rabbi Feller up late. So he was somewhat dazed when his phone rang at 6 a.m. Sunday morning.

“Hello. This is John Moe,” said the voice at the other end.

“John who?” mumbled Rabbi Feller, wondering why a non-Jewish person would be calling him so early on Sunday morning. Was it a prank?

“John Moe.”

“Who?”

“Dr. John Moe. You left X-rays for me, and a message from a Rabbi in New York.”

Rabbi Feller was stunned. Dr. Moe himself! He quickly apologized and shook himself awake. Dr. Moe explained that he could not render an opinion merely by looking at X-rays; he would have to see the patient for himself.

“When could that be?” Rabbi Feller asked.

“Well, if you get him here at the end of next week,” the doctor responded, “I can get him a bed at the hospital, and we’ll take it from there.”

The injured chassid flew to Minnesota, and Dr. Moe gave him a thorough examination. Instead of surgery, the doctor recommended a diet to lose weight, whirlpool baths and a brace. Nine weeks later, the chassid left Minnesota walking erect, and within months, there was no sign of his injury.

“In 85% of the cases with such an injury, I too would have recommended surgery,” Dr. Moe wrote in his report. “In this instance, however, I saw a way of avoiding it.”

“So what’s so unique about this story?” Rabbi Feller was asked when he related the incident to a group of chassidim.

“First of all,” he answered, “I think it’s important for everyone to know that the Rebbe never wants people to rush into surgery. Even if they had already consulted several doctors, he would suggest seeing others particularly those known to hesitate before using the knife.

“And yet, it is quite an uncommon story. Dr. Moe was at the top of his field, consulted by doctors from every part of the world. Normally, even getting to speak to him took weeks, and waiting for an examination was a matter of months. And here, on his own initiative, he hurried the case through all the red tape and showed a personal interest in the patient’s rehabilitation.

“Ask Dr. Moe’s secretary whether or not this was unique!”