Baila Brackman, co-director of the Rohr Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Learning at the University of Chicago, wrote this article for Chabad.org
Sometimes I wonder what it was like for our ancestors when they faced the sea in front of them and the Egyptians behind them.
What would I have done, how would I have felt?
There are so many times in life when one is faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges. Sometimes we feel trapped, indecisive and torn. As waves of raging water rush in front of us, chaos and confusion chase mercilessly at our heels.
What to do? Which way to go?
With a leap of faith, the Israelites moved forward. After they triumphantly crossed the sea and were heading to receive the Torah, G‑d asked Moses who would be the guarantors for this precious gift. Suggestions were made and rejected, until they cried out that the children would be the guarantors. G‑d was happy; He would give the Jews the treasured Torah.
How fortunate are we to have such powerful guarantors for our holy Torah.
When our son Shmulie was diagnosed with leukemia about five months ago, things turned upside down. Doctors, nurses, appointments, chemotherapies, and medications that I never thought I could pronounce entered my life.
I had questions, lots of questions; fears, lots of fears; and doubts, too many.
The first Friday night that we were in the hospital, tears filled my eyes. I stepped out of the room so I wouldn’t upset my son. When I came back into the room, he looked at me and said, “Mommy, please no tears, everything will be all right.” He has such a sense of trust in G‑d, a connection so great that his happiness and hope spreads its wings to those of us who are privileged to be in his orbit. From his family and friends, to the doctors and staff who laugh at his jokes and sing his songs, Shmulie spreads light and hope to all.
Children see things through the purest lens. It’s a blessing to have a glimpse into their genuine lives. I have learned so much from the children that I encountered on the cancer floor. Their smiles, their open hearts and their shining eyes tell a story of courage, strength and bravery.
Leaving Egypt was an experience filled with uncertainty. How would they be fed, clothed, and protected against the dangers of the desert? But the children never doubted. When Pharaoh’s soldiers had tried to kill them, the children had been hidden and kept alive by great miracles. They knew G‑d was their redeemer.
Every year, as Pesach approaches, we are told to imagine the story of Exodus as if it is happening today.
We do this by cleaning out not just our homes, but our inner selves, working to overcome our personal exiles and limitations and transform them to good.
Watching Shmulie transcend his fears and pain has taught me the meaning of real emunah (faith). His trust in G‑d is shown in his vibrant spirit, happiness and love of life even during the most frightening and difficult times. Ashreinu, how fortunate are we, to have the children teach us what it means to be grateful and serve G‑d with joy.
Yes, I feel ready to leave my Egypt and celebrate Passover. Listening to the children chant the Mah Nishtanah (Four Questions) will definitely be my highlight.
May G‑d answer our prayers, whatever they may be, and bless all of His children with a kosher, happy, and healthy Passover.
Dear Shmulie remember me? Aharon. I was in your bunk at the chabad on campus kinus a short year ago. Refuah shleima! Your fan in Storrs CT
ive spoken to you soo many times on the phone and every time i ask you how things are going you always say im doing great B’H. Your the happiest kid i know may you have a speedy recovery!
And to the whole Brackman family you are the best what you do for the chabad house and for shmulie is amazing and you are all such happy people! keep being the strong amazing people that you are!
Shmulie keeps inspiring me to take on new hachlatos and to say an extra kapital on a daily basis. To the whole Brackman Family, I wish you only simchos from here on. You guys have so much emunah, its beautiful to see. Hashem should pour down His brachos on you, ad bli dai! I give you a bracha that with this pesach, you should have your geulah protis and most definatly the real geulah, with moshiach now. Please take on a hachlata for Baruch Shmuel ben Nechama Balia.
A fellow Chicagoen and classmate
Dearest Baila, I’m the one who spent Shabbos at your parents’
so many times when you were a very little girl.
Again we connect. Your article was beautiful both in content
and writing skill. I send you a hug and pray that we hear only
revealed good news about Shmulie’s progress and speedy,
full, and everlasting remission. Please H”–Moshiach NOW!!!!
WE LOVE YOU!!!!
So inspiring
Refua Shleima!
May he have a speedy recovery
& wishing your son a big & huge Refua immediately!!!
-Devorah Lipsh, Israel
remeber tracht gut vet zien gut
What an inspiration. We often get overwhelmed with the pessach preparations, and yes, they are quite detailed and challenging- However it is essential that we prioritize and focus on the larger picture- creating an atmosphere of peace and serenity, strengthening the feelings of joy and happiness in being Jews in being Free to celebrate our eternal customs. Refuah Shleima for Shmueli and for everyone who needs our prayers. And a joyous festival to all singles with prayers that your beshert will soon appear. And all those who are hoping and waiting for a new offspring, may your prayers be answered.… Read more »
I love your prank calls!
#teamshmulie
#noonefightsalone
Shmulie is the best brother ever:)
We love you
His name is boruch shmuel ben nechama baila
baruch shmuel ben nechama baila
We are sending brochas and tefillos to the entire Brackman mishpocha!
Baila you are a talented writer!Refuah Shlayma and thanks for keeping us focused. Friilichen Pesach.
Beautiful written article, very inspiring, may we only have besurois toivois to share and refuah shleimah to Shmuli.
Baruch shmuel Ben nechama baila
#noonefightsalone
Baila you are a talented writer!Refuah Shlayma and thanks for keeping us focused. Friilichen Pesach.
Will bl”n have Boruch Shmuel Ben Nechama Beila in mind by birkat cohanim. Here in Ir Hakodesh we do it at least once a day. May the matze from the second seder bring him and all who needs it a refuoh sheleimo ukrovo. However dark it seems, out of עבדים היינו can grow
דוד בן ישי עבדך משיחך ר”ת של עבדים
Shmullie is the ultimate example of Tracht Gut!!!, Thank you for giving courage to all those who are facing trying times. May Shmuel ben Baila have a refuah shleima and may all of klal yisroel experience the ultimate refuah. Moshiach Now!!!
Motty
ברוך שמואל בן נחמה ביילא
Very touching and inspiring
I will keep your precious child in my prayers
This is a beautifully written, very meaningful piece. Wishing a refuah shleima to Shmulie and lots of nachas and revealed good for his whole family!
WITH YOUR INSPIRING WORDS TOUCHING OUR VERY SOULS,WE GO TO THE SEDER, EATING MATZAH-THE BREAD OF FAITH AND HEALING, WITH THE HELP OF HASHEM, WE WILL ALL CELEBRATE THE COMPLETE RECOVERY OF SHMUELIE. CHAG KOSHER VESOMAYACH. ephraim and tzivia moscowitz
Good news now!
keep fighting!!!! your the best ever!!!
Thank you so much for sharing this…
What a special article!!! And what a special son you have. May he have a complete refuah shelaima and you have a Chag Kasher Vesameach!!! Thank you again for sharing.
Tracht gut vet zein gut is a way of life…that line helped us get thru our challenging time…
Ty reb yossi for this.
Iyh only good news
and refuah shlaimah ukrovah!
Beuatiful article. Shmuly sounds like a gem of a boy. Refuah Sheleimah!
moshiach now
Please daven for a complete refuah shleima for Boruch Shmuel Ben Nechama Beila
Moshiach now!!
What’s his full name for tefilos?
Wonderful message. Thank you
Exceptionally beautiful!
Davening every day for this amazing kid!!
so inspiring. may he have a complete and speedy refuah sheleima!
She is so strong and so inspirational as well as her amazing son. All the Brachos.
REFUA SHELAIMA
Keep being the amazing, strong, brave, happy, and incredible hero that you are! You are truly the greatest!
May you have a Refuah Shelaima right away!!
Moshiach now
Baila
you are an inspiration! we are davenning for a Refua Shleima!!
Besuros Tovos!
Sora
This touched me so much. May Shmulie have a speedy and fast recovery and may you know of only simchas.
Thanks for taking the time to write and inspire others.
שלח רפואה שלמה בתוך חולי עמך ישראל
May we all experience the Ultimate Redemption even before Pesach!
whats the name for tihhilim
#noonefightsalone
Thank you so much for sharing this.
So moving and touching,
May Shmulie have a refua sheleima, and his family have abundant blessing now and always,
A good yomtov to all
plz tell us his full name so we can daven for him.
He gets all better fast!!! U should have simchas always
BS”D
didn’t have a chance to read article yet but wanted to convey my heartfelt wishes to Hashem and Brochos that he have a complete recovery now
It’s hard for me to write, my tears keep flowing.I wish you a happy healthy Pesach.May Hashem heal all those who are in pain and suffering.May you have a truly lichtiga yeshudika Pesach.
Thank you so much for sharing and posting.
May your son be blessed with a complete and speedy recovery.
GO BAILAH!!!
Thank you for Sharing!!
may you have goood reason to celebrate Pesach bsimcha
thanks you for putting us all in the ‘right place’ with the ‘right perspective’. please remember to invite me to shmulie’s wedding. i really want to be there IY”H.
This moved me to tears. May he have a complete refuah bekoruv maamesh. May the Eibishter always smile upon you and your family. Your family are in my prayers now.
A refuah shelema !!!