‘I Almost Died, But I Was Uplifted Instead’

California Shliach Yitzi Hurwitz, who is currently battling ALS, describes a recent incident which was “the biggest scare of his life,” when he awoke in middle of the night unable to breathe.

From Chabad.org by Yitzi Hurwitz:

This past week, I had the biggest scare of my life. In the middle of the night, something was blocking my airway. (Editor’s Note: Yitzi grapples with ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and since 2014 has had a tracheostomy allowing him to breath.) My wife, Dina, and my nurse tried desperately to clear it, but nothing was working. I can’t begin to imagine what Dina was going through, but she did what had to get done, and because of that I am alive.

For me, it was terrifying not being able to breathe, while slowly fading with my thoughts racing. The thoughts I had were first of my wife and children. I then thought: “I can’t believe this is happening.” The last thing I remember thinking is, “OK, Hashem (G‑d), if You want me, I am Yours, Shema Yisrael… .”

The next thing I remember are glimpses of the hallway and the ambulance.

If it wasn’t for this experience, I wouldn’t have gone to the hospital. Now that I did, I am so grateful because they undertook routine tests and found a serious issue that now is under control.

The outpouring of love from the community and from all over the world was amazing. My family and I were falling—and you caught us. Though we were going through what was possibly the most traumatic experience of our lives, the turmoil raised us up to heights we could never imagine. We did not drown into the dark abyss, thanks to your love.

That is the way struggles are. They can destroy you. But with the right attitude, you can be uplifted instead. It also helps to have a great support system.

This all happened during the week when we read the story of Noah and the Great Flood. The turbulent waters destroyed almost all of humankind. Yet it was the exact same water that lifted the ark above the highest mountaintops, and carried Noah, his family and all those animals that repopulated the world.

The key is to enter the ark, especially when the waters get rough.

The ark symbolizes an environment of hope, trust, closeness and commitment to G‑d.

The Hebrew word for “ark” is teiva, which means a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This symbolizes the Torah—our source of strength and a refuge in times of difficulty. It also gives you the right perspective, which can keep you positive.

In the ark, animals of prey coexisted with other animals because the light of Moshiach—a time of no strife—shone there. Making Moshiach a reality is the goal of our existence, and when you understand the purpose and are focused on the goal, the waters are easier to navigate.

Being on the ark was hard work for Noah. He had to feed and care for so many animals. Yet the outcome was most beneficial, in that he saved the world.

Doing what G‑d wants is hard work, but what it accomplishes is amazing. We have to realize that our struggles are of extreme importance, and when we finally complete our work, we will have brought the world to its ultimate destination. And the reward will be unlimited.

May we merit to see the completion of our toil and struggles, once and for all, with the coming of Moshiach. The time has come.

I would like to thank all of you who have contributed to the fact that I am alive, especially Hatzolah, LAFD and all of you who advocated for us to have the best treatment. Thank you to the doctors, nurses, hospital and ambulance personnel. And thanks to all of you who prayed for me and for all of the well wishes.

I am happy to be alive.