We as a family have had a difficult summer. My beloved father-in-law, Ludwig Schneider, is lying in a hospital in critical condition. He has been in a coma for several weeks.

Initially, the medical staff told us to expect the worst, and urged that we summon the entire family, which was, at the time, scattered about both in Israel and abroad. But it was not the end.

A few days later, the scenario played itself out once again. They called from the hospital and told us to come quickly to say our final goodbyes. We sat vigil next to Ludwig in the hospital for several days, certain that the end would come soon.

As time passed, both we and the doctors understood that Ludwig’s condition, while still critical, could no longer be called imminent. None of the doctors, from the most junior to the most senior, could define his exact condition or how long he’d be in that state.

We decided to take the risk and went on vacation.

To say that it was a difficult decision is...