What was meant to be the happiest day of his life became a fight for survival. A chosson, Meir Pinchas ben Hadassah Esther, a student of Yeshivas Oraysa in Yerushalayim, is now recovering at Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center instead of standing beneath the chuppah on Thursday night, with friends from the yeshiva keeping vigil at his bedside.
The chosson sustained critical injuries in a head-on car accident in Monroe, New York, where he had traveled to fundraise for his wedding expenses. He spent weeks hospitalized in Westchester, heavily sedated and on a ventilator while doctors worked to save his life.
After his condition stabilized enough to allow transport, he was flown on a special medical flight to Israel and admitted to Hadassah Ein Kerem for continued advanced treatment.
Encouraging developments have emerged. The chosson has regained consciousness and his condition is showing signs of improvement. However, physicians and those close to him caution that recovery will be long and difficult, and stress the continued need for prayers for his complete healing and eventual ability to stand independently and reach the chuppah.
His yeshiva friends, who had expected to celebrate at his wedding days ago, have instead rallied to support him in the hospital, intensifying their prayers and making additional commitments while praying for his full and speedy recovery.
All are asked to pray for Meir Pinchas ben Hadassah Esther.