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| Rav Hershel Schachter |
What better time than the happiest day of the year to talk about death. So sit back, relax, have another beer, and enjoy.
One of the most important contributions Rav Hershel Schachter has ever made to the Jewish people are his own children. At least one of whom is a genius. With a mind that surpasses that of his own father, Rav Schachter himself.
If my information is correct (which it rarely is) the producer of the video below is Rav Schachter’s son. Which illustrates the greatness of Yeshiva University. What other Yeshiva could produce a Gadol whose children can make the kind of lofty contributions to Judaism that he has? Right?
Of course right!
(I don’t know his first name) Schachter has produced the quintessential instructional video. It is beyond mere Hilchos Nichum Aveilim - Jewish law regarding how to pay a Shiva (condolence) call. It is literally an unprecedented step by step breakdown of how to do it in ways better than just OK. With many examples illustrating each step.
Doing it this way is better even than the author of the Shulchan Aruch herself could have ever imagined. And she had quite the imagination.(Yes, that is how good it is!)
To say it goes beyond Lifnim Meshuras HaDin is a gross understatement of near existential, multidimensional, multifaceted, and multi-nefarious proportion. In fact I believe one can earn instant Olam HaBah if one meticulously follows the guidelines in this amazing video next time they pay a Shiva call.
This is no small matter. How often do we attend a Shiva house and not know what to say? Can anyone imagine what an Avel (the bereaved) might think if you are sitting across from him with nothing to say?
Doing it this way is better even than the author of the Shulchan Aruch herself could have ever imagined. And she had quite the imagination.(Yes, that is how good it is!)
To say it goes beyond Lifnim Meshuras HaDin is a gross understatement of near existential, multidimensional, multifaceted, and multi-nefarious proportion. In fact I believe one can earn instant Olam HaBah if one meticulously follows the guidelines in this amazing video next time they pay a Shiva call.
This is no small matter. How often do we attend a Shiva house and not know what to say? Can anyone imagine what an Avel (the bereaved) might think if you are sitting across from him with nothing to say?
That is so AWKWARD!!! Hurtful even! Hasn’t the Avel suffered enough? Do you have to add to his pain by your mere presence? What a Chilul HaShem! Shame on you!
Where was I...? Oh, yeah.
Even though I’m sure many of you have seen this before… many, many, times… ad nauseum… I believe that it is worth seeing again.
Even though I’m sure many of you have seen this before… many, many, times… ad nauseum… I believe that it is worth seeing again.
And again.
And again.
Besides, you’ve never seen it here so it doesn’t count. And there may actually be someone that hasn't seen it yet, hard as that is to believe.
Besides, you’ve never seen it here so it doesn’t count. And there may actually be someone that hasn't seen it yet, hard as that is to believe.
It is therefore with great pride, pleasure,humility, pomp and circumstance (especially ‘pomp’) that on this day, the holy fast day of Ramadan, I present this video for your edification and pleasure. Watch it! Commit it to memory! And please, please don’t laugh. Death isn’t funny.