By Rabbi Chaim Danzinger – Shliach and Chief Rabbi of Rostov
Baruch – our meals-on-wheels driver – called me with sad news. “Sofia passed away,” he said sadly. “She asked to be cremated.”
I knew Sofia well. She had no family, so my kids and I would visit her to raise her spirits. She was proud of her Jewish heritage and often spoke proudly about the sacrifice of her grandparents to remain observant Jews.
We immediately mobilized to give her a Jewish burial. We were told she has a nephew in St. Petersburg, and the choice is his.
Despite our very best efforts, we couldn’t locate him in time. We got the heartbreaking news from the morgue that it was too late. I was broken and felt like I had failed Sofia.
As I was leaving the synagogue at 6:00 PM, I saw an unknown man standing outside the doors. He introduced himself as Mark. “I’m visiting from St. Petersburg,” he said. “My aunt died…”
I couldn’t believe it… we were only a few hours too late.
We sat down and spoke. He had no idea cremation wasn’t permitted according to Jewish law. When I told him, we were both crying.
“I cremated my mom 20 years ago. If only I knew better.. I’m not an observant Jew.”
I had no words. The only thing which came to mind was “have you ever put on Tefilin?”
He said no.
“G-d brought you here today, so you can begin your journey back to your roots,” I said. “Would you join me tomorrow and put on Tefilin for the first time?”
He agreed.
The next morning, Mark put on Tefilin at the age of 58 for the first time in his life. He also agreed to go back home with a new pair that he will wear every day.
Sometimes out of a dark situation, comes a ray of light.
(Names changed for privacy reasons)
