The Handkerchief

It is told that Rav Shimon of Cracow spent his days receiving the people of the city and attending to their needs, and at night he learned Torah until late. Once a child was deathly ill, and his fever was climbing dangerously. The frantic father came to Rav Shimon and found him late at night, learning.

When Rav Shimon heard that the child was at death’s door, he gave the father his handkerchief. “Place this on the child, and with Hashem’s will he will have a complete recovery,” he said. “But bring it back to me first thing tomorrow, and tell no one.”

The father did as he was told, and no sooner had he placed the handkerchief on his son than the fever dropped, the boy opened his eyes and asked for water. The father returned the next day to thank the Rav and give back the handkerchief.

Rav Shimon then explained his two conditions. “This was no miracle. All day I gladly carry the burden of Cracow’s Jews, and only at night can I learn undisturbed. This handkerchief is my nightly companion, and I use it to wipe the sweat from my forehead as I strain over my learning. The merit of that learning healed your son. My salary is small, and I cannot afford another handkerchief, so I needed it back right away to keep learning tonight. As for secrecy, you see how busy my days are. If word got out, my nights would fill up with the community’s needs as well.”