By COLlive reporter
It has been a while that Rabbi Yitzi Hurwitz has wanted to commission the printing of the Tanya in his Shlichus city of Temecula, California, and he wasn’t going to allow his ALS disease to stop him.
Hurwitz, known for his ebullient character and constant smile, is currently on bed rest in Los Angeles with his family. He uses the Tobii Communicator, designed for individuals with communication disabilities, to ‘speak’.
“With his eyes, he selects letters and words and the computer speaks them, and his face lights up when he can tell you how happy he is that you came to visit,” his incredible wife, Dina Hurwitz wrote in a recent blog post.
“Time slows down in that room,” she admits. “Each word takes time and every sentence a few minutes. I do a lot of the talking, which believe it or not, is not my norm. I was always a better listener and Yitzi, a better speaker. Now he is the listener and I, the talker.”
After Rabbi Yitzi communicated his request, the group of colleagues and friends who have been helping him since his diagnosis got to work. The printing was to coincide with the 19th of Kislev, the day of liberation of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad chassidism and author of the Tanya.
“Although Yitzi can no longer talk and has a very difficult time communicating at all, he conveyed his wishes to have the Tanya printed with his sheer will,” activist Rabbi Shmuel Fogelman told COLlive.com.
Fogelman and Rabbis Shlomo Bistritsky, Yossi Baitelman, Simcha Backman and Reuven Mintz got the necessary permission to print an edition of Chabad central text and brought the printing equipment to his room, along with L’chaim and refreshments.
Joining them for the special and heart-wrenching occasion was Rabbi Ezra Schochet, Rosh Yeshivas Or Elchanan Chabad in Los Angeles and Rabbi Shimon Raichik, Rov of Congregation Levi Yitzchok in Los Angeles.
As they printed the first pages, Hurwitz’s son Eli Chaim Hurwitz read the first few lines with clarity. That was followed by singing Lubavitch niggunim which has always been a regular hobby of Rabbi Yitzi back in Temecula.
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In the daily life in the Hurwitz family, “the little kids climb into bed and snuggle with him while they practice their reading. The older kids learn and review for tests with him,” Dina says.
“It is a very different kind of life, not at all easy, but so beautiful. All we have is time to smell the roses. I don’t wish this life on anyone, but I do wish you would take the time, and smell the roses. Love the smiles of your family, speak and listen, and take the time before it takes you.
“Put what is important in your life on the front burner. Fix your regrets, and forgive those who have wronged you. Be full of love, hope, and joy as often as possible. Allow your imperfections to be what they are, and not who you are. Do not define yourself by your weaknesses and sad moments, you are so much more then that. Acknowledge your pain and put it in its place. Yet most of all, stare each other in the eyes and smile from your heart,” she writes.
To contribute to the medical costs, visit hurwitzfamilyfund.com
Please Hashem send a Refuo Shlaimo Le Yosef Yitzchok Ben Brocho. Please let us see the Nisim from Al Hanisim Sheosiso Laavosenu bizman Haze. Should be Bizmaneinu Bechag Hachanuka. Techef Umiad Mamosh.
R’Yitzi teaches in so many ways. He is an inspiration, as is his Ayches Chayil, Dina. May the burdens they bear be lightened this Chanukah with a refuah shelayma. Wishes for a freilich, lichtig Chanukah. Thank you for the new Tanya printing. It will enlighten a vast number of people.
You are a remarkable family. One to be emulated in all ways. May Hashem bless Rabbi Yitzy will a complete refuah shelayma. Praying for a ness gadol. Chanukkah Sameach.
such a nice mitzvah so sad hashem please help us
Today is Chanukah Save Rabbi Yitzchok Ben Brocho.
Show us a Nes Golui, Omen.
this reminded me to keep him in my tefilos
Yitzi made my Simchat Torah by inviting everyone over for Hakafas! It was the best happiest Simchat Torah of my life.
Halevai there was such ahavas yisrael among all shluchim and anash – Moshiach would be here…..
Heart wrenching and warming at the same time
May Hashem send us Moshiach immediately to take us all out of this Golus. and may Yitzi shy’ be at the forefront to lead the way to Yerushalayim on his own two feet, with his smile so big and bright! Amein!
We are davening, begging Hashem to bentch us all…let’s all add just a little bit each in their own way. Tznius, kashrus, davening, Shabbos, ahavas yisroel, the list goes on and on. Very soon we WILL see the rewards we’ve been eagerly waiting for!
says it all
may he make a true smile – and have a refua sheleima and walk out of bed and dance with his kids!
Thank you for sharing. Yitzi, I hope you have a complete Refuah Shaleima! Moshiach Now!
Wishing you a complete and speedy Refua!!
… if every choleh would have visits like this!
Hashem, look how much we mean it.
You’re such an amazing bucher!
may god almighty bless rabbi yitzy with a complete recovery.
HASHEM, YOU HAVE DISHED OUT SOOOO MUCH OF THE OTHER STUFF. LET US SEE A TRUE CHANUKAH MIRACLE AND CURE THIS PRECIOUS SHLIACH COMPLETELY SO THAT HE CAN BENTCH CHANUKAH LICHT FOR HIS FAMILY AND HIS COMMUNITY IN PERFECT HEALTH. DO IT FOR HIM, FOR HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN, FOR HIS COMMUNITY – HIS SHLICHUS AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST HIS AMAZING PARENTS AND FOR HIS MISHALAIACH, SO THAT HE CAN CONITUE FULFILLING HIS SHLICHUS!
I go to visit Yitzi often. He is always smiling!! Aibishter, Please, enough! Send this Tzaddik a refuah shleimah Bkarov!
yitzi, seeing you smile made my day.
all the people in the room and to those who arranged it thank you very much. we are always with you yitzi.
I am in awe of their courage and focus on the really important things in life
What more does Hashem want????
and koichis of Yud tes Kislev rain down on R Horowitz for a refuah shalaima bkarov mamesh!
Feel better
This is truly touching.
Please learn from this how to treat every choleh.
How easy it is to abandon those who are too sick to leave their homes.
How much more meaningful to visit them, or even at least to call them on the phone. Let them know they are still loved and not forgotten. Tell them all the wonderful things you appreciate them for, the laughter and tears you shared together.
Don’t save these stories for L”A after 120 at the shiva. Tell them now.
Got to go, I have a home-bound friend to call right now.
MZ