By the Grace of G-d
Dear Friend, Is it easier to get help for a destitute human or a wayward dog? Ouch. It hurts to even write that sentence. But just Google ‘dog rescue Thailand’ and see what an impressive array of options shows up. I have tried Googling several variations of ‘help for humans in distress’ and the options are unfortunately not all that notable. Why would I be googling ‘dog rescue thailand’? Here is why. On Monday I received a call from a woman who lives in Bangkok. She told me that she rescues dogs. She told me that a fellow ‘rescuer’ Shimon Aaronson had fallen ill and been taken to hospital in Hatyai. Knowing that Shimon was Jewish she wanted to know if we had a rabbi in Hatyai who could say some prayers. I sent out a note to all of our rabbi’s across Thailand to see if anyone knew of a Jew in Hatyai who we could call upon to pay a visit. Rabbi Moshe Hadad of our Thai Kashrut certification responded to me that providentially, we had a rabbi going the very next day on a scheduled kosher inspection visitation at fish production factories in Hatyai. The rabbi visited Shimon and said the Shma and other prayers recited before passing, as the situation looked quite bleak. We learned that Shimon was destitute, as was the friend who was at his bedside till the end. Earlier this evening (Thursday) Shimon passed away. His family in the UK had not been happy with his decision to live in Thailand without any social welfare benefits. As pensioners, they are unable to settle the hospital bill, nor deal with the expenses of burying the body. Additionally, they really had no interest in helping with burial as they do not practice the Jewish faith. But to their great credit, they understood that this is the right thing for Shimon and acquiesced to my request to allow us to bury Shimon in the Jewish tradition. As a fellow Jew, albeit unknown to our community, it is our sacred duty to see to it that Shimon not be cremated but be buried as a Jew. There are many organizations engaged in helping animals. The Torah tells us not to be cruel to animals. Infinitely more important however is to ensure that our fellow humans are cared for. It seems to be a far greater challenge to help people. First of all, people talk back. People have attitudes. People can make bad choices. Animals are just acting their natural selves. Nothing can really make you upset at an animal. Moreover, caring for humans is far more costly. As Jews we are the continuation of our ancestors Abrahams legacy of righteousness and justice. We must keep reminding ourselves of our G-dly responsibility to care for others. We Jews as the recipients of the G-dly moral code taught at Sinai must make it our mission and goal to teach the world about the laws of Universal Morality. Tzedakah is one of the greatest mitzvahs. One of the greatest forms of tzedakah kindness is helping bring a person to their final rest. It is a kindness that is one of ‘truth’ without any possibility to be repaid by the person you have helped. I must be honest. When I get a call that someone has passed away in Thailand, a feeling of anxiety overcomes me momentarily. I don’t think I need to explain why. There are more enjoyable things to be involved with than burying the dead. But once I jump into the work of preparing and tending to the deceased together with my colleagues, I feel the uniqueness of being part of the ‘chevra kadisha’ literally the ‘holy society’ who do their work with love and with a benevolent spirit. And I realize with gratitude, that Am Yisrael truly is one people. No matter where a Jew dies, he or she will be tended to with that same care and compassion. May we live and be healthy and well till the Mashiach comes and dying will be but a relic of the past! Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Yosef Kantor PS I hasten to send out my weekly email tonight, because I need your help. I can appeal to you my readers, to participate in this great mitzvah of helping to bring Shimon to his proper Jewish rest in the Jewish cemetery in Bangkok. We need to pay up the hospital bill, arrange transport from Hatyai and cover the burial expenses. All of this will cost between 7-8 thousand dollars. Any amount will be helpful. www.jewishthailand.com/tzedaka
ב"ה