A large crowd attended the sudden and pain-filled levayah of Rafael Yechezkel Perkal, z”l, known fondly as Chezky. Chezky had just turned 41, and his life had been full of challenges, yet despite all the difficulties, this precious neshamah whose yiras Shamayim was apparent to all was known for his trademark smile and cheerful greeting.

Chezky was born on Zayin Adar 5744/1984 in Yerushalayim. His father, R’ Chaim Perkal, sheyichyeh, an esteemed member of the Gerrer community, is the founder and director of Alei Siach, an organization established thirty-five years ago to provide housing and occupational frameworks for the special-needs community. His mother, Mrs. Rachel Perkal, shetichyeh, is the daughter of the venerable Gerrer chassid, R’ Simcha Bunim Lev, z”l, and an exceptional woman in her own right. The endless love and devotion of Chezky’s parents and siblings to their special son and brother was an inspiration to all who knew him.

From early childhood, Chezky attended special-needs schools, and twenty years ago, he moved into an Alei Siach special-needs apartment, where he would be provided with an appropriate and enriching environment suited for his needs.

Chezky loved his routine, and his days were filled with meaningful pursuits. He always made sure to daven on time and with a minyan, and could often be found reciting Tehillim. Everyone remembers his enthusiasm and fervor during davening; his voice could always be heard. During Krias HaTorah, he made sure to stand up and kiss the Sefer Torah. He also loved traveling to the Kosel to daven.

Almost every Shabbos, Yom Tov, and Chol Hamoed found him in the Gerrer Beis Medrash on Yirmiyahu Street in Yerushalayim in his regular seat, where everyone knew he could be found near his father. Chezky and his father enjoyed a close relationship; the open affection they shared was admired by all.

Chezky was also a regular at the Nachalas Akiva shul, located near the Alei Siach apartment where he lived, and there too he was a favorite of the mispallelim. He was also known in the Sanz Beis Medrash, near his parents’ home, where he davened as well.

Despite his limitations, Chezky would learn out loud and with enjoyment. He actually read through all of Shas, even if he couldn’t understand what he was learning. He did it with a special chein and lots of hasmadah.

Chezky’s good heart and cheerful demeanor made him well-liked and well-known. He always said hello, and he always asked how you were doing. His sense of humor made him even more endearing, and he delighted in making people laugh. He also liked giving out treats to children he met.

In the apartment where lived, he enjoyed life with his friends, and their needs were important to him. Within the framework of Alei Siach, he and his peers traveled occasionally to different parts of Europe for vacation. This year before Purim, during the week of his forty-first birthday, he traveled to kivrei tzaddikim in Hungary, where he davened with lots of enthusiasm at the kevarim of the Chasam Sofer, the Yismach Moshe, and R’ Yeshayala of Kerestir, zy”a.

Four years ago, Chezky was sick and underwent surgery. He was hospitalized for half a year in serious condition, but Baruch Hashem, he recovered and eventually resumed his regular daily routine.

On Monday, the ninth of Nisan, he didn’t feel well and went to lie down. To everyone’s shock and pain, he never woke up. Resuscitation efforts were not successful, and the bitter news spread quickly. Pure and innocent Chezky had returned his pure and innocent neshamah to its holy source.

The levayah took place at Beit Halevayot Shamgar, where his father, R’ Chaim, yblch”t, took leave of his beloved son. R’ Chaim described how Chezky would sit and learn Gemara and even finished the entire Shas. He quoted the words of the Sefas Emes on Maseches Avos that one who learns in this world without comprehending what he is learning will be taught in the next world to understand. Now, in Olam Haba, everything that Chezky learned will surely be explained to him.

R’ Chaim also mentioned the explanation of the Pnei Menachem, zy”a, on the words of the Gemara about the mitzvah of Hakhel, “Taf lamah ba’u… Children, why did they come? To give reward to those who brought them.” The Pnei Menachem clarified that this refers to the special children, about whom people wonder why they came to this world. The reason is to give reward to those who brought them, to their parents, who are so busy with them throughout their lives.

Chezky’s brother, R’ Leibel Perkal, sheyichyeh, talked about Chezky’s simchas hachaim, and how Chezky was the catalyst for so much chessed.

Chezky’s supervisor at Alei Siach, R’ Chaim Milstein, sheyichyeh, described how Chezky was so beloved by his apartment mates and how much he cared about them. He also noted the tremendous devotion of Chezky’s family.

The levayah then continued to Yirmiyahu Street next to the Gerrer Beis Medrash where a large crowd waited together with the Gerrer Rebbe, shlita, who accompanied the mitah for a few long minutes.

The levayah then headed to Har Hamenuchos for kevurah, after which Chezky’s nephew, R’ Simchah Bunim Mondri, sheyichyeh, spoke, mentioning how much Chezky cared about the whole family, and how he was so careful to daven with a minyan.

Chezky’s life in this world may have come to a close, but the wellsprings of chessed and goodness that were created because of his pure neshamah will surely continue to run their course, serving as an eternal merit for him in Olam Haba, the world of neshomos