Finding Strength in Times of Loss: A Widow's Touching Exchange with the Rebbe
“The soul is eternal and continues to bond with the family, feeling their pain, rejoicing in their happiness,” the Rebbe of Lubavitch responded to the grieving widow. “The soul finds solace when seeing family members recover from tragedy.” Read the full story.
- נעמה גרין
- פורסם י"א אייר התשפ"ד
The Rebbe of Lubavitch, of blessed memory #VALUE!
An IDF widow, whose husband was killed in the Six-Day War, wrote to the Rebbe expressing her struggle to find the strength to continue raising their children alone.
The Rebbe gave her the following poignant reply: “The connection between husband and wife, and between children and their father, is not through the body, which is flesh and bone, but rather through the soul and spirit, which are the essence and true nature of a person.”
“When a bullet or shrapnel strikes the body, it cannot affect the soul or spirit,” continued the Rebbe. “The soul is eternal and remains connected with family members, mourning in their sorrow, rejoicing in their happiness. The soul finds comfort in witnessing the family’s resilience after the tragedy.”
On another occasion, a grieving family sought the Rebbe’s guidance and received this response: “If you were told that the deceased moved to another place where you cannot see him, would coping be easier?!”
“Certainly,” replied the family, “it would be sad and difficult, but manageable.”
“And if you were told that you could send packages to that place and be certain that he receives them, you would certainly do so, wouldn't you?!”
“Indeed,” they answered.
“Well,” the Rebbe explained, “your beloved is in heaven, and the packages you send, such as *Kaddish* and good deeds to elevate his soul, reach and benefit him.”
