By COLlive reporter
In his work with sick patients over the past 30 years, Rabbi Avraham Lider has witnessed some extraordinary moments and literal miracles in his position as Director of the Ahavas Chesed organization based in Crown Heights.
10 days ago, a social worker from a New York hospital urgently called Rabbi Lider at home.
“There is a lady here who needs to speak to you right away,” the person said. “Her husband is in the ICU, she is sitting by his bedside. His condition is extremely critical, and he is not expected to make it. Can you come to speak with her?”
Rabbi Lider dropped what he was doing, and immediately came to the intensive care unit where he found the patient attached to life support machines. The anguished wife was waiting to speak to the rabbi.
“Rabbi,” began to tell him a startling story.
“I’m a Muslim,” she said. “My husband, however, is Jewish and he is dying. We have been married for 27 years, but it is his wish that even though he didn’t live like a Jew, he wants to be buried as a Jew.”
Rabbi Lider nodded in understanding. Before he was able to respond, the woman continued.
“Rabbi, listen to me,” she said. “I have pressing family matters to take care of, and I need to travel back to Turkey tomorrow. When my husband dies, please make sure to bury him as a Jew. I think he will want to have a Jewish burial. Can you help, please?”
Rabbi Lider was astounded and managed to tell her that we Jews plan Bris Milah ceremonies, Bar-Mitzvahs and weddings. “We don’t really pre-plan funerals!” she noted.
She insisted, “If my husband dies in the meantime I want to give you a letter giving you full authority in writing to bury him and be in charge, in case I am not around.”
Rabbi Lider could not persuade her against this, so he agreed to accept the note giving him authority.
The rabbi went to the man in the ICU, and prayed for him by his bedside. He came to that bedside every single day, said a Misheberach for him and talked to the unconscious man.
Meanwhile, the man’s wife left for Turkey, torn between her husband and her family obligations.
Astonishingly, the man got better, and after 4 days he opened his eyes. Gradually, his tubes and wires were disconnected, and he was transferred to a regular room.
Now that he was awake and alert, Rabbi Lider was able to chat with him, and asked his name.
“My Hebrew name is Yitzchak,” replied the patient.
The rabbi grinned. “Tell me, do you like kosher chicken soup?” he asked the sick man.
“I love it,” said the patient.
He asked the man if he would like to put on tefillin. “Last time I put on tefillin was at my bar mitzvah. I’m now 84 years old,” he replied.
The next morning Rabbi Lider came by again, bearing a pot of delicious chicken soup. After enjoying the chicken soup, the patient then put on tefillin, for the first time in 70 years.
With tears in his eyes, he said “Shema Yisrael” with the Chabad rabbi.
Rabbi Lider reassured Yitzchak that he would always be there for him “until he was 120,” and that he would always look out for him with whatever he needed.
For more information on the work of the Ahavas Chesed organization, click here.
Looking over all your comments, I am so touched! Your comments have given me, and the entire Ahavas Chesed family of volunteers, so much chizuk for the work we do for Anash and all Klal Yisroel! For all who asked, A story of a Jew’s live never ends! Isaac is Baruch Hashem getting stronger every day. His wife has not contacted him since she left. She didn’t tell me why she had to return or if she would ever come back. That is not the important message here. However we MUST say Baruch Hashem that she contacted me, and didn’t… Read more »
did he continue living, or did he pass away in hospital? wonderful story and a wonderful Rabbi.
it will be a day where every single person will worship the Blessed G-d of israel. No more pain, no sorrow, no more fear. Thats the real acts. Baruch Hashem Adon–ai. I’m a bnei noach (noahide), but my heart understand the meaning of return to your land (real soul). Shemá, israel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Blessed be the real G-d, the G-d of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. Amem.
rabbi leider does wonderful things for our community in the schus of all your mitzvahs my you be blessed with long healthy years
Thank you all
If someone wants to visit him in the hospital
Please send text messages to 3478311383
We’ll call you back
Thanks again
You can’t beat a drop of homemade soup even when you’re ill or passing over !
What a wife. She abandoned him when he needed her the most.
Thank you rabbi lieder.
Rabbi Lieder you are a beracha for Am Israel. Hashem bless you with everything good. Your name is your essence a true leader, thank you.
she didn’t had to do this but she respected him
we don’t know what happened in turkey, only she and the rabbi probebly know…
we always have enough time for teshuva . so thats our right why not to choose …..
and you can’t know who is your destiny . it was his duty to marrie a muslim woman….
GOD is the only true Judge. I pray we all leave it to him and that thoughts of judging of others is taken from our hearts and minds. That we only have Love for Everyone!
A good story which shows God’s mercy and miracle to a sick man. But how can a wife leave a dying sick man to attend to personal matters? This shows it was a wrong decision to marry a woman of a different faith and Yitzach should have married a Jewish man because that Muslim woman was materialistic as is their nature.
To just up and leave, after being married so long, and her husband on his “death bed” is wrong on so many levels. The Rabbi did for him what his wife didn’t do: remain at his side in his hour of most need.
the verses have life as the cells. So when he read aloud the verses miracle happened
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE END?????
This story belongs in the newspapers! Put it in the type of newspapers that other Jewish men who are intermarried are likely to read… The forward, Jewish journal etc. When a loving democratic intermarried couple come across this story (which doesn’t disparage the noon Jewish spouse in the least…) It will encourage them to perhaps make similar choices… …I would just add two or three words about the meaning of being buried as a Jew (ie a taharah, Jewish cemetery etc. ) as part of the story Thank you rabbi lieder, you really made my grandfather Happy toward the end… Read more »
thank you for sharing!
Beautiful story and great work, Rabbi. But I find it unsettling a wife of 27 years would leave the country while her husband is on death bed — leave his side, not even call, return or, or find out how he is — dead or alive? Not. A great wife, but decent of her to call the Rabbi and adhere to her husbands wishes. Oy!
You are a born Jew or a Chosen Jew you are always a Jew in your heart. It was good the wife carried out her husbands wishes…I would like to know the ending of this story. It was a Mitzvah the Rabbi was called & prayed for his life, & hope he had a good Jewish life with good health and happiness.
And also beautifully written!! May him and his family only hear of good news! עד מאה ועשרים שנה!!
Many of you comment on his wife and judge her by saying a Jewish wife wouldn’t do this. We do not know the facts why she has left him to attend to pressing family matters. It could have been a sick child or grandchild. We don’t know and therefore cannot pass judgement. He should have married within our religion, right, but again who are we to judge. Baruch HaShem Rabbi Lider got involved and hopefully the man has done teshuvah. May the old man have a full and speedy recovery to get back on the right path to live a… Read more »
Rabbi Lider, you are wonderful doing such big mitzvahs. I probably would question why he did not practiced Judaism and married muslim. Her behavior is sol muslim–her husband–Jew –is dying and she has pressing issues! Jewish women would not do that–sorry he was blind, just like Isaac..
Miracles do happen when u believe in God. Love rules the world no matter who or what u are.
Thank you for sharing
Did she ever come back ?
It is a wonderful that there is still Chesed in a mixed marriage. May Hashem bless this beautiful wife
I love our people!! you’d think everyone was the gentleman’s mother!! Kol Hakavod!!
A wonderful happening! Thank you for sharing it!
Who says being Jewish means being ‘Frum’. Maybe he came from a connected but not Orthodox family.
Thank you and Yosher Koach.
What “family obligation” can possibly be more important than a dying spouse!!??!!??
BH. We are Love and we should always act with Love. Thank you so much Rabbi Leider you are a king in this world. Chana Tova.
This stoyr brought tears to my eyes…
This is a wonderful story of chessed and teshuva! For all those who want to know what actions and decisions led this man who where he is, I say WHO CARES! To those who condemn him for those actions, I ask if you would have been strong enough to make a different decision had you been in his shoes? We are weeks away from Rosh Hashana, a time of Teshuva and forgiveness. For those who forgot, perhaps you should relearn the Torah Portion read on the first day of Rosh Hashana… specifically the line where Yishmael is dying in the… Read more »
who said he left judaism? did it say anywhere he used to be frum?
If he’s 84 today, and they were married 27 years, that means he only got married when he was 57; was he ever married before, does he maybe maybe have Jewish children somewhere in the world? That would be amazing! Just curious
Absolutely beautiful story.
His Muslim ‘wife’ is to be praised! As per Avi Weinberg’s comment #41. Love and care for another human being.
One aspect of this “refusal” wasn, t stated. Funerals, graves cost a lot of gelt$10,00 or more. How could he undertake such a burden .so he probably arranged this with her.
If for no other reason, this amazing and touching story should be enough to BRING MASHIACH TZIDKEYNU
NOW NOW NOW!!!!
In my opinion , ” THIS ” is LIFE perhaps at it’s BEST. To start ,from the most basic human perspective , look at all the ‘down to earth’ behavior of each individual in this story. How REFRESHING !!!! It’s about people acting with such dignity toward & for each other. Their HONESTY is astounding. The unconditional caring & giving , just because this is what was needed for ANOTHER person. No words , WOW !!!!! THIS is about HAPPY people sharing their own happiness with another. ONLY happy people act this way. What a beautiful story & reality. THIS… Read more »
She honoured the heritage of her husband. Bless her. And bless him.
Did the “loving wife” also leave funds for his burial or was this a convenient way of getting away with burial expenses??!!
Hashem sent away the Muslim wife! What Jewish wife would leave her husband on their “death” bed. B”H for Rabbi Lieder, a Jewish soul saved!
Where’s there’s life,there’s hope,Thank Hashem
People made mistake, bad decission, but the important one is when he made teshuvah. Hashem gave him the chance. That’s wonderful !
Proud of you! Uncle! You are doing amazing work. You have helped not only this man but millions of others and hope HaShem repays you with everything you need and want in a revealed way and moshiach now!
This is a beautiful touching story. It just shows us that hashem never but never leaves a jew behind. And this guy is zochie to לחזור בתשובנ on his last days. Who ever volunteers to take this guy in has olem haba. I have a two room apartment i wish i could take him in.
Rabbi lieder, hashem should bless you!
Many more happy And Jewish years to yitzchak!
Don’t focus on the negative….Hashem knows how to deal with that. See the beauty of the immortal soul and our inner/subconscious desire to return ourselves to Him in love and knowing. Kevod haRav, may all your Tefillat for the good be always heard and accepted by Him and may He grant you and all such as you and your families wondrous levels of Torah and merit a full table in this world and a full table in the next.
This article was written several weeks ago, shortly after Isaac regained consciousness.
Baruch Hashem he is getting better every day. He has since been transferred to a rehab center, where I visit him every weekday morning (and a local Rabbi visits with him on Shabbos). He relishes eating his chicken soup for breakfast, then we put on tefillin and he says Shma with so much feeling.
His wife has still not returned or contacted him, but he now has an Advance Directive so his wishes will be followed if he is unable to communicate them in the future.
I see there is a what’s app group to join to volunteer what is the number to join
This is what it is all about!
Chas V’Shalom! I was not trying to persuade her against it. And you are correct that it is the Rabbi’s responsibility to organize a Jewish burial for those in need. Unfortunately, my words got changed in translation. What really happened is that she told me, “Rabbi, my husband is a Jew. We have been married for 27 years, but it is his wish that even though he didn’t live like a Jew, he wants to be buried as a Jew. Rabbi, listen to me. I have pressing family matters to take care of, and I need to travel back to… Read more »
I think this IS the end of the story. It doesn’t matter what happened next … This is about what happened THEN!
Bless them all!
I think Rabbi Lider was trying to persuade her to think good would be good.
To join is
3478311383
Thank you
This man is amazing. Literally always busy running from patient to patient helping people. Unbelievable. Maybe its time to honor this man.
Rabbi Lider is a hidden tzaddik! No one can imagine the cheesed this man does. completely devoted and dedicated to the community and crossing the world for a single Jew. Such a dignified, loving man and the truest chossid.
Thank you to all of the incredible volunteers who have worked with Ahavas Chesed. Your chesed makes this all possible. We still have a lot to accomplish. If you would like to be part of Ahavas Chesed’s work,now you can give or get immediate help with our WhatsApp group.
Join our chesed group: 347-831-1383. Add 347-831-1383 to your contacts as “Ahavas Chesed,” then WhatsApp the number with the word “gain”.
Tizku l’mitzvos!
What ended up happening? Did he live? Pass away? Did the wife return from turkey to find her husband a changed man? Did she not return? Why does the story end so abruptly and vaguely?
this is such a touching story
I was surprised by a sentence in this article: “Rabbi Lider could not persuade her against this, so he agreed to accept the note giving him authority”. Why would a Rabbi try to persuade the non-Jewish wife NOT to give him the responsibility of organizing a Jewish burial for her Jewish husband when he dies? I thought that’s what Rabbis do – or ask another Rabbi to do. I would imagine it would be an automatic YES in this case.
BS”D
WOW
WHAT’S THE END OF THE STORY?
Great story!
Rabbi Lider’s whole life is infused with chessed, including lots of chessed shel emes. He’s always there for anyone who needs him. Hashem should give him all the koach and support he needs to continue his holy work and bring Moshiach NOW!!!
To Chaim-click link at end of article above or go to chessedcenter.org to donate to Ahavas Chessed- be a partner in this special and vital mitzvah which is a lifeline for many Yidden.
to the person that asked why he left Judaism. In my opinion, when you are born Jewish, you are always Jewish. Whether or not you are observant. Do not look down on other Jews because you may be more observant than they are. And, he married the person that he loved.
Rabbi lieder is a special Yid. What a Chesed does he do to every body , this Yid yitzchak was zoche to put on tefilin and to eat kosher apintale of a Yid, may Hashem bless you rabbi lieder and your family and this Yid and all klall Israel sheichu witha good health success and happiness hktivah velha time Tova leshana Tova vemetuka
Wondering what the outcome was…
Is the real deal. Volunteer for a day for him and you will do more Chesed in one day then you have done in an entire year.
What happened after? Where is he now?
https://www.chesedcenter.org/donate/
Link for donations? Touching story!
“a Yid nit er vil nit er ken zich upreisin fun ‘Judaism’…”
I try to give when they call, sometimes I succeed.
But this org is the real deal.
I think that in such situations we should be thankful that we have not been in a position where we had to make that choice. You have no idea of what circumstances led to his decision but it is not an easy choice to make. Love can be a powerful vice in any situation.
Wow speechless amazing story. BH.
A Moshiach story ואתם תלוקטו אחד אחד Each Yid will be led with Hashem’s Hand bringing us to the Geulah Amein Kein Yehi Ratzon! Keep up your great work, Rabbi Lieder
The pintla yud was waiting to be rekindled. It is never to late!!!!
What made him leave Judaism? And marry a Muslim lady?