Naomi and Shlomo (surname not mentioned here for obvious reasons) are a Torah observant couple living in the Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem. For years, they tried to conceive, running from doctor to doctor, trying the most sophisticated treatments as well as adopting many Segulot related to fertility.

But after five years, their efforts proved fruitless. Until one day, Naomi decided to go to the grave of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef; she kept visiting his resting place until her prayers were answered. Three weeks after her first pilgrimage, she finally received the news: she was expecting…she was pregnant!

This week the couple will celebrate their daughter Shira's first birthday. To mark this happy event, the couple wishes to thank the Creator of the Universe for this marvellous gift and share their personal miracle with Torah-Box.net's readers.

"We got married five years ago, says Naomi. Like any young couple, we were very optimistic and wished to start a family. But time went by and I wasn't getting pregnant. We waited patiently but two years, and then three years passed with no change in sight. In the meantime, all our friends were building families and raising children, while only we remained childless. We finally understood there was a problem.

The more time passed, the sadder I became. It was the darkest period of my life. I cannot even describe how much I suffered. Everything around me reminded me that I was childless. All my girlfriends talked about their children, at family celebrations everyone expressed their blessings that I have a baby soon. When I walked down the street, I paid attention to children and pregnant women. I could not handle it. Everything I saw mirrored my suffering."

Treatments and Segulot ...

Naomi and her husband prayed with fervor, addressed Rabbis and requested blessings, visited the tombs of famous tzaddikim, and tried all possible Segulot. In parallel, they underwent various medical treatments. "It started with basic treatments, which failed, so we switched to more complicated and painful treatments. But I was ready to endure the pain to conceive a child. I endured a lot, but unfortunately, nothing paid off. My husband gave me unlimited support and always encouraged me. He believed we would succeed in the end. But after five years, he too was discouraged. I continued to consult doctors, but in my heart of hearts, I lost hope. I would never be a mother... "

This was the turning point in Naomi and Shlomo's life. "One day, one of my neighbors suggested we organize a women's class in the neighborhood. She offered me to host it because I was the only childless one in the building, so I didn't have small children who could disturb the class ... I readily accepted and invited my neighbors and my friends. The Rebbetzin strongly emphasized the importance of the Jewish women's tzniut (modesty), especially in the context of current negligent norms.

Tzniut

At the end of her class, the Rebbetzin inquired about my problem. She said one thing I will never forget: "My dear, Hashem rules the world according to the principle of "Midda Keneged Midda", meaning He acts on the principle of "As above, so below" or the opposite. If you want the Creator to give you something that is above "nature," then you have to rise above your own nature; that's how it works". She confessed that dozens of women's prayers were miraculously answered after they took upon themselves the rigor of respecting modest dress codes, according to Jewish law."

"The Rebbetzin alluded to my weak point. I knew I ought to improve my level of modesty. I decided to work on this and resolved to wear only skirts down to my ankles."

"When I look back and put together all the elements, I understand that this was a turning point for me. From that moment on, I connected to my true nature and things started progressing in a very different way. "

At the Grave of "Maran"

A few days after this class, on the 9th of Kislev, a co-worker informed Naomi that this was a very auspicious day for prayer, on the 9th day of the 9th month, at 9 am. She also told her that a collective prayer was being organized around the gravesite of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.

Naomi searched for someone to replace her at the office and went to the Sanhedria cemetery. "I always felt close to Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. He was the spiritual guide in the home of my childhood. We lived according to his decisions and his Halachot. He was like a father to me. When he died, I really cried, I was heartbroken. Unfortunately, I did not have the merit of receiving his personal blessing to conceive while he was alive. So, this opportunity gave me a chance to pray at his gravesite. I wanted to say goodbye to him personally and ask for his help.

When I arrived at the cemetery, I was astonished. So many people had come together! It was about a month after his passing, and pilgrims, including some prominent Rabbis, had come to pray at the appointed hour. I went to the ladies' section, buried my face in my Siddur and started praying, with no special preparation. I just let my heart talk.

My prayer was decidedly different from all the prayers I had made to date. As if something in me had been released thanks to the positive resolutions I had taken. I managed to utter a shout coming from the deepest recesses of my soul. Although I prayed in a faint voice, I cried with all my heart for many long minutes. I trusted the greatness and prestige of the Rabbi, and I begged him to help me and to intercede in heaven on my behalf. I told him that I could not endure any more treatments and that I was suffering. I told him that I needed his help, that I wanted to be a mother. I really felt close to him. This was the most powerful prayer of my life. "

Then Naomi returned home and resumed her activities as usual. Apparently.

"One night, I dreamed that I was in the famous Yazdim synagogue in Jerusalem, where Rav Ovadia taught Saturday night classes. So, I was sleeping, but I felt incredibly awake. It really was not a dream like any other: it was clear and focused. There was a festive event in the synagogue, and Rav Ovadia was present. He was sitting at the head table, wearing his golden tunic. He said words of Torah to the audience. I remember all the details, even the faces of the women who sat by my side in the women's section.

I suddenly wanted to go to the Rabbi to ask for his blessing, but I was ashamed because of course, he sat in the men's section. At one point, I could no longer hold myself back. I had to give free rein to my suffering. I hid my eyes and ran towards the Rabbi without looking left or right. I came to him in a state of agitation to ask for his blessing. He asked me in what area I wanted to be blessed. His question surprised me; I felt so close to the Rabbi that I thought he knew ... "I want children," I replied.

In 20 Days, You Will Be Pregnant! "

Rabbi Ovadia listened to me and said: "I decree that within 20 days, you will be pregnant". And I woke up at that moment. "

When Naomi woke up, she immediately described the dream to her husband. "This dream strengthened us a lot. It was clear to both of us that something special had happened because I don't often recall my dreams. This gave us renewed hope, particularly because we were anticipating our last treatment in the series of our ongoing treatment plan. "

"I went to check my agenda - and I was astonished! "

But when Naomi and her husband arrived at the hospital, unexpected difficulties arose. "The doctor suddenly told us that he was against performing a final treatment, despite all the steps we had taken to prepare for it. In fact, he said our situation was critical. In other words, he told me that the suffering I had endured for an entire month was for nothing. The disappointment was bitter. I tried to negotiate, but he was firm. He told me that I could not pursue the treatments because of major risks to my health and that the hospital refused to take responsibility. We did not understand why such a blow fell upon us so suddenly.

As usual, we requested the advice of Rabbi Schlesinger, a representative of the association "Pri Chaim", which provides free expert advice on fertility issues. We explained our predicament and he reassured us and said not to worry. He even strongly advised us to carry out the final treatment, despite the doctors' recommendations."

Naomi and Shlomo talked to the doctor and let him know that they wanted to do the treatment anyway. "He did not like it, but we were confident. We told him, "If the Rabbi says we can do it, then we will." So, we had the last treatment. All that was left to do was wait for results."

Two weeks after the treatment, Naomi went to the clinic for a pregnancy test. "When I came home, I had a good feeling. I felt that this time, I would be alright. The main nurse called me in the middle of lunch. She had been following our predicament for a long time and by now, she knew me personally. She said to me: "You're pregnant!" When I heard this announcement, I felt like the happiest woman in the world".

As soon as I hung up, I sat down to recite Birkat Hamazon. I was in tears. I think it was the most heartfelt Birkat Hamazon of my life. I did not stop thanking the Creator. When I managed to calm down, I went to check my agenda and was amazed to find out that exactly 20 days had passed since the night I dreamed that the Rabbi was blessing me. I immediately called my husband and shouted with joy: "I'm pregnant! The Rabbi's blessing has borne fruit!" "

"Finally, everything went very well, thank God. In the second month of pregnancy, tests indicated I was doing fine. At that moment, I realized that the fact that the hospital refused to give me the last treatment was a trial sent by Providence. I could have decided otherwise and relied on the doctors' advice and believed men's intelligence could determine whether I could get pregnant. But I understood that all these trials had occurred to teach us that only the Creator of the world could give us a daughter, that He was with me all this time and never abandoned me. I have no doubt. I know that Hashem heard my prayer. "

After six years of waiting, Naomi and Shlomo were able to hold their little girl in their arms. "It was the best day of my life! I did not stop crying. I was grateful to the Creator. I waited for six long years. I took the time to understand to take nothing is for granted. "

"It was actually a gift for me. I learned a lot. Despite all the hardships and suffering, I was not ready to give up. Today I know deep in my heart that my daughter is only a "loan" that God has granted me, and I appreciate its true value. I accept all the difficulties related to her education with boundless joy and serenity.

This entire process also led me to understand the importance of modesty in Hashem's eyes. It also allowed me to strengthen my Emunah and realize that Hashem cares for us every moment.

Today, it seems obvious to me that all that God does is for the ultimate good. Even in the most difficult moments, He is there, and He guides us. I used to believe that evil existed. Today, I know that what I considered bad was good too. Because Hashem knows very well what is good for me and what I need: to build unconditional trust in Him and to be grateful in every situation."