1494 (5786-45) 13 AV 5786 (July 27, 2026)

"Change of Name, Change of Luck!"

My father [Rabbi Adin Eben-Yisrael (Steinsaltz)], who has extensive connections around the world, consulted with a wide range of physicians. There was a clear divergence of opinions as far as the best course of action.

Why This Week? 17th of Menachem-AV (2026: Friday, July 31) is the yahrzeit of Rabbi Adin Eben-Yisrael (Steinsaltz)

Story in PDF format for more convenient priting.

CHANGE YOUR NAME, CHANGE YOUR LUCK!

Menachem Eben-Yisrael (Steinsaltz), relates:

My current family name, Eben-Yisrael, is less familiar to most people than the name Steinsaltz, which appears on the many books written by my father, Rabbi Adin Eben-Yisrael. We changed our name following an unusual encounter between my father and the Rebbe.

One Sunday morning during Cheshvan 5750/1989, my father joined the usual line to receive a dollar (for its equivalent to be given away for tzedakah) from the Rebbe. The Rebbe gave him a dollar, and as my father was walking away he was called back.

"The name Steinsaltz, which means 'salt stone,' is not particularly appropriate," said the Rebbe. "It suggests bitterness, something from which we should distance ourselves."

Eight months went by. As my family did not understand what the Rebbe had intended by this advice, nothing was done about it. On 12 Tammuz 5750/1990, I underwent medical tests because I had been feeling incredibly weak.

The tests revealed something wrong with my circulation. I had to undergo further tests. To my horror, I was diagnosed with a virulent form of leukemia, which would spread rapidly throughout my entire body.
Immediately we wrote to the Rebbe. The next day we received the following answer:

"A complete recovery. Tefillin and mezuzos should be checked. I will mention this at the Ohel (gravesite of the Rebbe Rayatz)."
Around this time my doctors prescribed three sessions of chemotherapy. Powerful chemicals were used to destroy all of the affected cells, whether damaged or not, which left me extremely weak.

Suddenly we wondered if there was any connection between this terrible disease and the Rebbe's unusual request. Perhaps the Rebbe had foreseen that I would become so ill and had asked my father to change our name in order to bring about the cure before this blow would have a chance to occur.

My father wrote to the Rebbe, asking if we should change our name to Eben-Yisrael. The Rebbe replied, "Of course. May there be a complete recovery."

As a side-effect of the chemotherapy, my immune system became severely compromised and I developed a high fever. Feeling terrible, I was confined to bed for three weeks until Tisha B'Av [9 Av]. The day before Tisha B'Av my family sent another letter to the Rebbe describing my situation.

On the holiday itself the Rebbe gave us the following answer: "On the tenth day, fasting will become rejoicing and happiness. You should have a complete recovery. I will mention this at the gravesite [of my father-in-law, the Previous Rebbe]."

The next morning the fever miraculously disappeared as if it had never existed. Later that week, I underwent a bone marrow exam to check the progress of the disease. To everyone's amazement, the tests showed that all the previous signs of disease had also gone away, as if I had never suffered in the first place! A few days later another test yielded a similar result, and I was sent home.

A week went by, however, and once again I came down with a raging fever. I was given antibiotics and told to stay in bed for three weeks. This time, neither the antibiotics nor any other form of medication could bring down my temperature.

One of my relatives, who happened to be staying in Crown Heights, asked the Rebbe for a blessing for me. The Rebbe gave a blessing for my "full and imminent recovery." Once again, the fever disappeared on the following day, along with all the other symptoms.

Unfortunately, I fell sick for a third time, and the possibility of a bone marrow transplant was discussed. My father, who has extensive connections around the world, consulted with a wide range of physicians. There was a clear divergence of opinions as far as the best course of action, on which even my own doctors here in Israel differed. My father and I wrote to the Rebbe describing all the available options, as well as the specialists' opinions.

The Rebbe replied, "It is usually better to follow the opinions of the doctors in the Holy Land. However, in this case, [as themselves are divided as whether to do it or not,] it is better not to do it."

In reference to the question of whether I should be treated in Israel or abroad, the Rebbe wrote: "You should stay in the land upon which the eyes of Your G-d are focused from the beginning of the year until the end of the year." (Deut. 11:12)

Soon after I showed this answer to my doctors, they [gathered together and issued a statement that now they] unanimously agree that a bone marrow transplant should be performed. So now there was a problem.

On the one hand, the Rebbe had said that in general, it is better to follow the opinions of my physicians in Israel, but not in my case [since they are divided among themselves whether to operate. Therefore,] I should not do so]. On the other hand, these same physicians were now united in recommending a transplant, which clearly was not favored by the Rebbe.

So my father and I again wrote to the Rebbe, this time to ask his opinion. The Rebbe replied, "Since you are staying in the Holy Land, a land upon which the eyes of Your G-d are focused from the beginning of the year until the end of the year, it is better not to do it. You should have a complete recovery. I will mention this at the gravesite."

Thank G-d, eight years later I am alive and well. All the symptoms of this terrible disease have completely vanished. Two years later, the very same doctors who had recommended a bone marrow transplant told me: "You should know that your Rebbe is a genius! Your Rebbe must have known what was going to happen in the future."

They explained that exactly two years after the Rebbe had told me not to have the transplant, a medical conference in London decided that in a case like mine, carrying out a bone marrow transplant would be absolutely forbidden!

Let me add a word. If the Rebbe was able to know the future in my case, and in thousands of other similar situations, it is clear that when the Rebbe says that Mashiach is on his way, it must be just as true.

May we see the fulfillment of this prophecy very soon!

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Source: Adapted and supplemented by Yerachmiel Tilles from an emailing of the Avner Institute (Rebbebook @gmail.com). One paragraph that was ambiguous and confusing was replaced with Meni's words from his interview on an "Orthodox Conundrum" video. [24:23 > 29:25]

Why This Week: 1) A verse (Deut.11:12) from this week's Torah Reading is quoted in the story. 2) 17th of Menachem-AV (2026: Friday, July 31) is the yahrzeit of Rabbi Adin Eben-Yisrael (Steinsaltz)

Biographic notes:
1) Rabbi Menachem ("Meni") Eben-Israel, is the executive director of the Steinsaltz Center in Jerusalem, the umbrella organization for all the institutions, activities and initiatives of his father, Rabbi Adin Eben-Israel (Steinsaltz) of blessed memory.
2) Rabbi Adin Eben-Yisrael (for full bio: Steinsaltz)

Footnotes
1. And since mid-1994 also that of his son-in-law and successor, the Rebbe of the 7th generation.
2. The Brooklyn neighborhood where Lubavitch International Headquarters ("770") is located.
3. Perhaps specifically because of the Rebbe's (a non-medical professional) recommendation. (So says Rabbi Meni on the Orthodox Conundrum video cited below in "Sources".)

Yerachmiel Tilles is co-founder and associate director of Ascent-of-Safed, and chief editor of this website (and of KabbalaOnline.org). He has hundreds of published stories to his credit, and many have been translated into other languages. He tells them live at Ascent nearly every Saturday night.

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