A Life Extended: An Extraordinary Encounter

Rabbi Meir Avshalom Chai z"l was tragically murdered in 2010 in the Shomron. After his tragic passing, a stirring story came to light, known by his family but kept silent until that day: Rabbi Meir Avshalom Chai had already been there, to the World of Truth. Exactly 12 years earlier, soon after the birth of his son, Rabbi Meir Avshalom Chai was involved in a severe car accident. The rescue team declared his condition critical, and the accompanying doctor doubted he would survive the journey to the hospital. At the crash site, near his damaged vehicle, he was clinically dead, only to be revived twice. He reached the hospital in extremely critical condition. After long and arduous rescue efforts, doctors managed to stabilize his breathing, though he remained in intensive care for an extended period. Only after many weeks was he able to breathe unaided, gathering his children, his wife, family, and medical staff to share his moving story.

"I had already been in the World of Truth," he began, "meeting those who reside there, and I burst into tears. I told those in the World of Truth," Rabbi Chai recounted with deep emotion, "that my son was just born days ago. I wanted to experience raising him, at least for the early years. I did not wish to leave this world, leaving behind a widow and an orphaned infant." He continued, "I felt they were moved by my sobs, coming from the depths of my heart. Minutes later, they told me my request was granted and I would return to this world for 12 years." And return he did.

Rabbi Chai chose to recount his return from the World of Truth to every child he encountered over the preceding years, fortifying his faith immensely. His family members mention that he did not fear his days would be cut short, though some within the household carried an internal apprehension. On that Thursday, the very day his son, for whom he pleaded to return and begin raising him, turned 12, Rabbi Meir Avshalom Chai z"l was murdered in the evening hours.

He had returned once more to the World of Truth.