In a quiet neighborhood filled with warmth, there lived a remarkable boy named Shimi. From a young age, Shimi stood out—not because of anything unusual at first glance, but because of the way he carried himself. He was bright, quick-witted, and had a smile that could light up a room. His friends adored him, his neighbors spoke highly of him, and his teachers often remarked that he possessed a depth beyond his years.
Shimi’s family, too, was exceptional. They cared for him with endless devotion, ensuring that he lacked nothing. Their home was filled with laughter, patience, and a quiet strength that guided everything they did.
There was, however, one difference that accompanied Shimi throughout his life: he was blind.
But if you asked anyone who knew him, they would tell you that this detail never defined him. Shimi played, learned, joked, and connected just like any other boy his age. His friends didn’t see “a blind boy”; they saw Shimi.
As his bar mitzvah approached, the excitement in the home was palpable. Preparations were underway for weeks. His tefillin had been carefully purchased, his suit fitted just right, and yes—his peshetel had been practiced again and again until it flowed beautifully. The family felt a deep sense of gratitude as they watched Shimi prepare to enter the world of mitzvos.
Then, one evening, a simple question changed the tone of the preparations.
“Tatty,” Shimi’s younger brother asked innocently, “will Shimi be leining his bar mitzvah parsha?”
There was a pause.
His father gently shook his head. “No,” he said softly. “Shimi can’t see the words, and we don’t rely on memorization alone for the leining.”
The room grew quiet for a moment. But the questions didn’t stop there.
“But if so,” the brother continued, “how will he even get an aliyah? And if he can’t see the words, how can he make the brachos?”
It was a sincere question—and not a simple one.
Wanting clarity, he reached out to the Refuah B’Halacha Center, where complex medical-halachic questions are handled with care and precision. He presented the situation, hoping for guidance.
The Rav listened carefully and responded with reassuring clarity.
“It is true,” he explained, “that the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 139:3) writes that a blind person should not receive an aliyah, since he cannot read along the Sefer Torah. However, the Rema there brings the opinion of the Maharil that nowadays, when a Baal Koreh reads on behalf of the oleh, even someone who cannot read may receive an aliyah.”
He continued, “The Mishnah Berurah (se’if katan 12 and 13) elaborates that this has become the accepted minhag in many communities. Therefore, Shimi can absolutely receive an aliyah and recite the brachos just like anyone else.”
There was a pause, and then the Rav added one important note.
“However, for Parshas Zachor or Parshas Parah, which some consider to have a higher level of obligation, it is preferable that the oleh be someone who can read along. Aside from that, there is no concern.”
The family felt an enormous sense of relief. Not only was Shimi included—he was fully embraced by the halacha.
When the big day arrived, the shul was filled with an unusual sense of anticipation. As Shimi was called up for his aliyah, a hush fell over the crowd. With confidence and sincerity, he recited the brachos, his voice steady and full of meaning.
In that moment, it became clear to everyone present: Shimi may not have physical sight, but his inner vision was something truly extraordinary.
The bar mitzvah was beautiful. Not just because of the food or the dancing, but because it reminded everyone of a simple truth: sometimes, the deepest vision is not what we see with our eyes, but what we feel with our hearts.
At the Refuah B’Halacha Center, we are here to provide guidance for real-life challenges, big and small. Whether it’s a question about Shabbos, kashrus, or navigating difficult personal situations, our experienced Rabbunim are ready to listen and advise.
If you ever find yourself wondering about a medical halacha question — big or small, serious or just something that’s been on your mind — remember that you don’t have to figure it out alone. The Refuah B’Halacha Center is here to help, with experienced rabbanim available to guide you through even the most sensitive or confusing situations.
Refuah B’Halacha Hotline: 732 755 0851 or email us at www.refuahbhalacha.org
Our Rabbanim;
R’ Yaakov Forchheimer shlit”a
R’ Noach Isaac Oelbuam shlit”a
R’ Shmuel Fuerst shlit”a
R’ Uri Deutch shlit”a
R’ Micha Cohen shlit”a
R’ Moshe Zev Feldman shlit”a
R’ Baruch Hirshfeld shlit”a
R’ Daniel Neustadt shlit”a
R’ Avrohom Yaged shlit”a
We specialize in
• Mental health
• Shabbos
• Treatment issues
• Hospital stays
• Fertility
• Kashrus
We are here Sunday through Friday 8:00 am till 10:00 pm and erev Shabbos 10 minutes before candle lighting.
At the Refuah B’Halacha Center, we are here to provide guidance for real-life challenges, big and small. Whether it’s a question about Shabbos, kashrus, or navigating difficult personal situations, our experienced Rabbunim are ready to listen and advise.
If you ever find yourself wondering about a medical halacha question — big or small, serious or just something that’s been on your mind — remember that you don’t have to figure it out alone. The Refuah B’Halacha Center is here to help, with experienced rabbanim available to guide you through even the most sensitive or confusing situations.
Refuah B’Halacha Hotline: 732 755 0851 or email us at www.refuahbhalacha.org
Our Rabbanim;
R’ Yaakov Forchheimer shlit”a
R’ Noach Isaac Oelbuam shlit”a
R’ Shmuel Fuerst shlit”a
R’ Uri Deutch shlit”a
R’ Micha Cohen shlit”a
R’ Moshe Zev Feldman shlit”a
R’ Baruch Hirshfeld shlit”a
R’ Daniel Neustadt shlit”a
R’ Avrohom Yaged shlit”a
We specialize in
• Mental health
• Shabbos
• Treatment issues
• Hospital stays
• Fertility
• Kashrus
We are here Sunday through Friday 8:00 am till 10:00 pm and erev Shabbos 10 minutes before candle lighting.
