The Healing Power of Ashar Yatzar Numerous stories depict the power of Asher Yatzar said properly with understanding and intent, and the merit of furthering
its recital, actions which have in the past brought about complete recoveries even from Polio (well known story of the Chazon
Ish).
Rav Mendel Weinbach, Rosh
Yeshiva of Ohr Sameach, recounts a remarkable story of the power of Asher Yatzar. A father of a six year
old autistic child decided to sponsor 300 posters of Asher Yatzar, placed outside of bathrooms, to help his son. The
next morning his son woke up and began to speak, his autism was gone.
The Seder Hayom even codifies, "One should make this bracha with proper
kavana, and say every word etc., and if one is complete in his thoughts… he will not become sick his entire life, nor
will he need a doctor or healing, and therefore, one must make the bracha with complete intention and full cognizance, to
the Healer of all mankind and the wonderous creator"..
I thank torah tots for this wonderful chizuk
on Asher Yatzar. www.torahtots.com
We shouldn't wait until we get sick
to appreciate our health.
Asher
Yatzar is mentioned in the Talmud (Berachot 60b) as one of the brachot compiled by the Anshei
Knesset HaGedolah (Men [Sages] of the Great Assembly) (circa 410-310 BCE).
The Chafetz Chaim and other Great Sages write that the reciting of
Asher Yatzar with the proper Kavanah (sincerity, devotion, intent) and from the written text, has the power
to help one have a healthy body all of their life. There are many people who were saved from a severe illness by saying this
Bracha from the written text with the proper kavanah. This is an easy way to keep down all those doctor
fees!!
A sad and worried Jew once
came to visit the Chazon Ish (Rav Yeshaya Karelitz) in Bnei Brak. When the man entered, the Chazon
Ish was saying the Asher Yatzar Bracha. He pronounced each word slowly and clearly.
The man couldn't contain himself any longer and blurted out, "My
child has polio and the doctors say there's no hope."
The Chazon Ish emphasized the last words of the bracha, "Who heals all flesh and acts
wonderously."
The Chazon
Ish then turned to the man and said, "So, you hear that Hashem does wonders."
This is all the Chazon Ish said to the man.
The child had a completely recovery.
Dr. Kenneth M. Prager, M.D., states; "(While).. in medical school .. I first began to understand the
appropriateness of this short prayer.... After seeing patients whose lives revolved around their dialysis machines, and while
caring for patients with colostomies and urinary catheters, I realized how wise the Rabbis had been [to institute this prayer]."
The Bracha
of Asher Yatzar is now available in a beautiful color poster (side one) beautiful color poster side two format, suitable for posting in the home or in public places, and in a pocket-sized edition, all especially designed
to increase kavana when reciting the bracha. The posters are available in several sizes and nuschaot
and translated into numerous languages.
For
hard copies of these wonderful materials, click here to order.
Sources:
Berachot 60b,
Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim
6:1