A Grandmother’s Final Request Changed Her Grandson’s Life Forever

The following touching story was first shared in Yated Ne’eman. It reveals just how powerful even a single Jewish soul’s return to Hashem can be, especially in life’s final moments.

“To the editor,” the writer begins. “I came across this special column and felt the need to share a very personal and emotional story. As I write, my eyes fill with tears, remembering every detail.”

“This happened less than a year ago. Late at night, I received a call from a dear friend, someone who loves helping others. His voice was urgent. ‘Please go to Tel Hashomer Hospital right away,’ he told me.

“‘What’s going on?’ I asked. He explained: ‘There’s an elderly woman in the ICU. She’s very sick, but still fully aware and in a lot of pain. The doctors and her daughter agreed to give her strong morphine for comfort, but they warned that once the medication takes effect, she’ll lose all clarity of mind.

“‘So her daughter asked her, “Mom, is there anything you want to do while you’re still alert?” And the mother said, “Yes. I want a rabbi to bless me. That’s my last request.”’

“The daughter isn’t religious and didn’t know any rabbis. So she called my friend, the only observant Jew she knew. And now he was asking me to go quickly to fulfill this woman’s final wish. The doctors were holding off on the medication until I arrived.”

The writer continues, “I dropped everything and drove straight to the hospital. On the way, I called my own rabbi to ask what I should do. He told me, ‘Even a single thought of teshuvah, repentance, before death is beyond value. Try to gently guide her toward expressing regret, ask forgiveness from her family, and from Hashem. Say Shema Yisrael with her, and if she’s able, help her recite the viduy, confession.’”

“When I reached the ICU, the air was heavy with the scent of medicine and the quiet beeping of machines. By her bed stood her daughter and grandson, both secular, both visibly confused by my presence but they respectfully agreed to honor the woman’s final request.”

“The elderly woman was so happy to see me. She asked for a blessing, which I gave her. Then I gently suggested that her daughter and grandson take this special moment to ask her forgiveness on behalf of the whole family. The grandmother smiled and gave them her full forgiveness.

“Then I told her, ‘At moments like this, Hashem’s Presence is especially close. It’s a good time to turn to Him, ask for forgiveness, and say Shema Yisrael.’ She agreed, tears running down her cheeks. Through her pain, she began whispering words of regret to the Master of the Universe. Her daughter and grandson stood nearby, crying quietly, deeply moved by how someone could come so close to Hashem even at the very end.”

“She said Shema Yisrael with me. She recited the verses of viduy. And finally, she asked for one more blessing.”

“And then something unforgettable happened. She looked at her daughter and grandson, her eyes red with tears, and begged them gently and sincerely to draw closer to Hashem and live with more meaning. Then she said goodbye. I left the hospital heartbroken, but with a feeling of deep peace, knowing a Jewish soul had returned home.”

“I had no idea what was still to come,” the writer continues.

“A few weeks passed, and then one day I received another call from the same friend who had sent me to the hospital. ‘Do you remember the elderly woman you visited?’ he asked. ‘She passed away two weeks ago. But now I have another favor to ask you.’”

“He explained: ‘A friend of mine called. His daughter is engaged to the grandson of that woman, the one you visited. Until recently, this grandson had absolutely refused to get married according to Jewish law. He didn’t want a rabbi, didn’t want a chuppah, didn’t want kiddushin. No one could reach him. But after being with his grandmother in those final moments, he’s changed. He now wants a rabbi to marry him and is asking specifically for the rabbi who was with his grandmother.’”

“I was stunned. That one powerful moment had awakened a spark inside him, a spark strong enough to change the path of an entire future family.”

“In the weeks that followed, I began learning with the young groom, who committed to joining a Torah learning program for several hours each day. At the same time, my wife guided the bride and connected her with a kind and wise rebbetzin to help her prepare for a proper Jewish marriage.”

“The wedding day finally arrived. It was a hot afternoon in central Israel. I stood beneath a beautiful chuppah at a lovely hall. I had brought another rabbi with me to help with the laws of kiddushin, since it was the first time I would be officiating a wedding.”

“As the sun began to set and stars appeared, I stood before a crowd I didn’t know, except for the groom and his mother. Most of the guests wore simple white kippot. I spoke with all my heart. I told them about the grandmother, her last words, and her final prayer. I told them how, thanks to her quiet tears and one powerful request, her grandson had chosen to return to Jewish tradition and was now marrying with holiness, ensuring that their future children would be part of the unbroken Jewish chain.”

“Even though the day was hot, it felt like rain had fallen. The elders cried with emotion. The bride and groom wept quietly. And I cried with them.”

“Even now, as I write this, I find myself in tears,” the writer concludes. “I thank Hashem for allowing me to be His messenger at the end of one Jewish soul’s journey, and at the very beginning of a new one. All of it, thanks to the eternal spark that lives in every Jewish heart. All of it, thanks to the simple, heartfelt request of a Jewish grandmother on her deathbed. All of it, because of one act of kindness.”