Letter: A Reciprocal Prayer

Alexander Hecht‘s family thank all those who took part in the efforts of bringing about his recovery. There were many.

To our family, friends, Anash, Jewish children the world over, Klal Yisroel and all of humanity,

With thanks and heartfelt gratitude to Hashem.

Our sages tell us, “there were no days of greater joy than the fifteenth of Av and Yom Kippur.”

On this day we brought our son home to begin his process of recovery and rehabilitation.

This day also marks the Yahrzeit of his great grandfather, the revered Chasid, Rav Yaakov Yehuda, OBM.

Whilst still in the most critical stages of his illness, when the race between the infection invading the body and the body’s ability to resist were yet to be determined – adding a name was recommended.

This was done at a gathering of his immediate and extended family at the Ohel of our sainted Rebbe, Rabbi M. M. Schneerson of saintly memory. The name Schneur Chaim, the namesake of his revered great grandfather was chosen – also being a great Chasid of our Rebbe.

With humility and profound appreciation, we recognize the blessing power of our Rebbe – this intervention certainly mobilized the heavenly forces to bring about the critical leap from near death to life.

Chazal tell us that after the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash, while still in Golus, the Geulah will come through Ahavas Chinam – gratuitous love – and Jewish unity.

Through Achdus and Ahavah – unity and love – manifest on a GRAND scale, particularly displayed by the Kinderlach (children), our family has merited to receive the healing of Hashem. You children, who spearheaded this endeavor by taking on Hachlatos Tovos and an increase in all good deeds have certainly “blazed the trail” of Yeshuah and Refuah.

We are grateful, eternally grateful, to Hashem, for his salvation. We are profoundly grateful to the thousands of our brothers and sisters amongst Klal Yisrael all over the world. Through your commitment and devotion Hashem, in his infinite mercy, heard our prayer and granted healing and a Refuah Sheleimah to our son and brother, Schneur Chaim Yitzchak Alexander ben Nechama Dina.

As parents, this life threatening “Nisayon” (challenge-test of faith) has altered our life forever. It is our understanding it has done the same for so many.

Our thanks and gratitude knows no bounds. We pray that the prayers and good deeds offered on his behalf will cascade and increase, bringing more Torah, Tefila and Maasim Tovim.

We pray that our blessing should spread to all friends and that the Tefilos which remain in the reservoir on high serve as a Zchus (merit) to everyone, particularly to Reb Dovid Kievman and his Mishpacha who served as the catalyst for much of this great effort.

We are grateful to the team of Doctors and medical caregivers at NYU Langone Medical Center who merited being the messengers of healing and health. They made sacrifices and placed our son’s life and wellbeing above all else. May they all receive Hashem’s infinite blessing for health, prosperity and the wisdom and strength to continue their noble profession.

We request that you continue to pray as he advances toward a complete recovery.

We are planning a “Seudas Hoda’ah” (a celebratory feast of thanks and gratification to G-d) and look forward to greeting you in person. We will IY”H keep you posted with the details.

With blessing for Besuros Tovos,

We remain,

The parents and siblings of Schneur Chaim Yitzchak Alexander: Mishpachas Hecht, Mishpachas Gutnick, Mishpachas Berger, Mishpachas Gerlitzky