A Father's Plea: A Dream that Averted Family Conflict

The revered Rabbi Elimelech Biderman shared a story from fifty years ago that inspired many to seek personal and interpersonal improvement, especially in avoiding disputes and grudges.

In the family involved, the father, a notable judge and teacher, passed away. Known as a wealthy man, his children discovered his will after the shiva period, expecting to inherit his substantial assets, including properties and money.

However, a fierce conflict erupted among the siblings over the inheritance. Each claimed they deserved more, citing their acts of honoring their father during his lifetime.

The arguments escalated into anger and estrangement, leading the siblings to refuse to speak to one another, ultimately resulting in a mutual boycott. Eventually, they were summoned to a Beit Din for a Torah-based legal resolution of the inheritance.

During the hearing, as each sibling presented their case, tensions soared. A fight broke out with shouting, accusations, tears, and even curses. It seemed nothing could mend the rift created by the inheritance dispute.

The judges, aiming to calm things, requested, "We've heard your sides. Let's reconvene in a few days when emotions have settled."

But an extraordinary event unfolded afterward.

Days before the scheduled follow-up, one of the judges, who knew the deceased father well, had a dream.

In this dream, the father appeared, visibly distressed, and implored the judge: "Every time my children mention my name in court, even in a Torah setting, my soul is tormented. I have no peace. Please tell my children not to use my name during the proceedings."

The father further explained that disputes incite serious judgments against him in the heavens. "When they hear that the conflict and hatred stem from the assets I left behind, it causes me great anguish. Please ask them to have mercy on my soul and refrain from mentioning my name."

The judge awoke shaken by the dream and immediately contacted the family. He urged them to gather to hear an important message. When he recounted the father's words, there wasn't a dry eye in the room. The siblings felt remorseful and agreed to divide the inheritance equally, hoping to provide some peace for their father's soul.

(This account was published in the booklet "Pniney Ein Chamed")

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