IMPACT ON NETIVOT

Rav Yisroel, also known as Baba Sali, had a profound impact on Netivot and its surrounding settlements. Many residents of these settlements changed their entire lifestyles due to his influence and began to observe the mitzvos hateluyos ba’aretz. In time, the Negev began to bloom spiritually.

From the moment Rav Yisroel arrived in Netivot, large numbers of people lined up at his door, seeking his help. His prayers led to many miracles and resulted in great kiddush Hashem. Many people also returned to their roots as a result of his influence.

One of the most famous incidents involved a young man who was injured in battle.

The young man arrived at Rav Yisroel’s home in Netivot in a wheelchair. He told Rav Yisroel his story: “I was injured by a bullet in my back during the Yom Kippur War. Although I underwent a series of operations, I am still a cripple and can’t stand up. One of my legs is so bad that the doctors want to amputate it. A friend suggested that I visit the Rav, who is supposed to work wonders with his prayers. At first I refused. But in my despair, I decided to give it a try.”

“Do you put on tefillin every day?” Rav Yisroel asked.

“No.”

“Do you keep Shabbos?”

“No.”

“If such is the case, ” Rav Yisroel replied, “you should be thankful that only one leg is in such a serious condition. We believe that Hashem gives us healthy limbs so that we may serve Him. Those who don’t keep the mitzvos should regard their healthy limbs as gifts.”

At that, the young man burst into tears.

Rav Yisroel looked him the eye and asked, “If I bless you that you will be able to stand, will you begin to observe the mitzvos?”

“Yes,” the young man eagerly replied.

“Then give me your hand, and may you have a refua sheleima.”

After the young man kissed Rav Yisroel’s hand, Rebbetzin Abuchatzeira told him to try and stand up. To his surprise, he was able to stand up immediately, and even take a number of steps without assistance.

Startled by the remarkable change in his situation, the young man ran out of the house in search of a telephone. The nearest telephone was in Yeshivas Hanegev, a few feet away from Rav Yisroel’s home.

The young man raced over to the yeshiva, and called his family to tell them about the miracle. The yeshiva students, who overheard the conversation, were stunned. Taking him by the hand, they broke out into a fervent dance.

A short while later, the young man returned to Rav Yisroel’s house with many of the yeshiva students, and a special seuda was held in honor of the miracle.

The young man’s story spread like wildfire throughout the country, and caused many to adopt a Torah lifestyle.

This is only one story out of the many thousands of accounts of the great miracles brought about by the Baba Sali’s prayers.

Source: http://www.tzemachdovid.org/gedolim/babasali.html