Forgotten Miracles

One of Rebbe Nachman's followers once came to him. He had a serious ailment in his arm and was in such great pain that he could not move it at all. He had his arm in a sling and was totally unable to lower it.

The Rebbe's followers told him that this cripple was very poor and could not afford the expensive salts and other remedies that he needed for his arm.

The cripple was sitting at Rebbe Nachman's table for the Sabbath noon meal. The Rebbe remarked that the cripple certainly had faith, and all those sitting there agreed. He discussed this a while and then repeated himself, asking again if this cripple had faith. Those present again answered "yes".

Suddenly the Rebbe commanded the cripple "Lower your hand!"

The cripple stood there amazed, and everyone else was also very surprised. What was the Rebbe saying? The man had been afflicted for a long time, and it was absolutely impossible for him to move his arm. Why was the Rebbe telling him to do the impossible?

But as soon as Rebbe Nachman gave the order, "he decreed, spoke and it became fulfilled".

His follower removed the man's sling and he instantly lowered his arm. He was totally healed and it was an obvious miracle. He regained full use of his arm, and it remained healthy for the rest of his life.

Many awesome miracles like this occurred from time to time. The Rebbe, however, was compelled to minimize them.

I saw the Rebbe soon after he healed the cripple and spoke to him about it. It was obvious that he was not feeling well. He said "Whenever I am involved with miracles, I always suffer from it. Whenever I do anything like this I pray to G-d that it be forgotten." [This may be the reason why so few of his miracles have ever been recorded]

from "Rabbi Nachman's Wisdom" by Rabbi Nathan of Nemirov, translated by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan z"l