These were the illuminating words of HaRav Yitzchok Zilberstein, Rav of Ramat Elchonon and member of Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, in an address he delivered Erev Rosh Hashanah and on Shabbos Shuva.
His words followed the incisive letter of HaRav Chaim Kanievsky which stated, "Surely those who possess the contaminated devices are in danger on the upcoming Day of Judgment," while highlighting the great merit of those who eschew them.
He said further that a sick man had gone to his brother-in-law, HaRav Kanievsky, asking what he could do to merit a full recovery. HaRav Kanievsky told him that in such a case, one should seek to do things against his nature and if he does, he will be answered from Heaven with salvation and consolation.
What did Rav Chaim mean by `things against one's nature,' the man wanted to know. Maran asked him if he had in his possession any treif devices forbidden by our rabbonim. When he replied affirmatively, Maran said that if he removed them, and destroyed them, he would merit a full recovery. The man did as told and, "I can testify," said HaRav Zilberstein, "that just as my brother-in-law had predicted, the man was cured, in a supernatural way."
HaRav Zilberstein described a scenario that took place when the King of Poland paid a visit to the village of Mir. The Mashgiach, HaRav Yeruchom, said that one should (go and) see how a king is venerated in order to get a concept of royalty and reverence and fear of a king. Later, the king arrived at a different town and was shown even greater esteem and pomp. A woman ran up to him and desperately pleaded that her husband had been sentenced to death. She threw herself at the King's feet and wept, "Only you can pardon him and save his life." When the King saw her total subjugation and helplessness, he did, in fact, annul the death sentence.
HaRav Zilberstein added, "From here we see by way of parable what total submission can effect. By doing something that goes against our grain, like removing treif devices, aside from removing a terrible danger, we are also able to annul harsh decrees passed against us."
