Adapted from: Rav Chaim Kanievsky on Chumash – Vayikra  compiled by Rabbi Shai Graucher 

אֲשֶׁר עָלָה עָלָיו הַגּוֹרָל

Designated by lot (Vayikra 16:9)

With the dozens of daily visitors from all around the world, one can think that every possible type of question has already been presented in Rav Chaim’s room. Yet there is always something new…

Four brothers appeared before Rav Chaim, with their somber faces betraying the gravity of the circumstances that had brought them there.

“Our sister is very ill,” the oldest among them began. “Both of her kidneys have failed, and she is currently forced to undergo grueling dialysis treatments on a regular basis. The doctors say that the only hope for her life is to have a kidney transplant. All of our family members eagerly went to be tested, in the hope that we could save our dear sister’s life. Each of the four of us was found to be a match, and we each want to do this great mitzvah for our sister. We could not come to a consensus as to which of us should have the right to be the donor, so we came to the Rav for a solution.”

Visibly moved by this selfless display, Rav Chaim asked a few questions, and determined that the correct method of decision was to perform a goral. He took out a Tanach, and, according to the rules passed down to him, the name Evyasar emerged. The second of the brothers bore that name, and his face beamed with inner joy that he would merit to be the one to save his sister’s life. His brothers all congratulated him, and, escorted by Rav Chaim’s warm blessings, they went on their way.

A few weeks later, three of the brothers were once again waiting outside Rav Chaim’s room. When their turn came, they added a fascinating twist to this tale:

“While undergoing tests in preparation for the kidney donation, the doctors discovered an irregularity in Evyasar’s heart! Had it gone unnoticed, it could have endangered his life, chas v’shalom, but now the doctors are confident that, with Hashem’s help, he will have a full recovery! Baruch Hashem, his having been chosen by the goral likely saved his life. Nevertheless, with his current condition, he is no longer an eligible candidate to be the kidney donor. We have therefore come to ask the Rav to please help us choose his replacement!”

Moved anew, Rav Chaim repeated the goral, and the name of one of the remaining brothers emerged. With renewed blessings, they went home again, and, a short time later, they sent word that, with Hashem’s help, all of the siblings were now hale and healthy.