Seeing Angels in the Shadow of Death: A Rabbi's Journey Through Illness and Health

For anyone who has suffered loss, or is facing a personal trial, the pain can be overwhelming, and you might feel at a loss as to where to look for healing. From a young age I have wondered about the day that I will die and what my life will have meant. At the age of twenty-two, I was confronted by death in the form of cancer, and then again at age thirty-three in the form of heart disease. Those events helped clarify for me what direction my life should take, but only with the help of other people, my angels in the shadow of death. They helped show me the light when all I saw was darkness. And now I try to be an angel myself, to help those who feel like they are living in death’s dark shadow. We should never have to suffer alone. This is the story of my journey from illness to health, from darkness to light, and I hope that it brings healing and light to all who read it.

Ahud Sela is the rabbi of Temple Ramat Zion in Northridge, CA. He was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, and has a master's degree in bioethics from the University of Pennsylvania. Ahud is married to Alisha, and they are the proud parents of Yael, Gavi, and Eitan.