The Gravedigger Was Stunned: The Person Who Died a Few Days Ago - Appeared in Synagogue. Chilling

The 'Steipler', Rabbi Yaakov Israel Kanievsky of blessed memory, would often quote the well-known story about a Jew who honored prayer and therefore merited to return to the world after his death.

The source of the story is from the book "Or Zarua," a very famous book by one of the early authorities that is also cited in halacha. It is a three-part book on various laws from Orach Chaim, Yoreh De'ah, Even Ha'ezer, and Choshen Mishpat.

"I knew a certain Jew from Worms, whom they called R' Bunim, and he was elderly and a gravedigger," writes the author of the book. "I heard with certainty and truth that once he arrived early at the synagogue and saw a man sitting in front of the synagogue with a crown of herbs on his head. He became frightened, thinking it was a demon, and called to him saying: 'Aren't you so-and-so who just died, and I buried you?!' And he said to him: 'Yes.' He asked him, 'How are you in that world?' And he replied: 'Very well.' He asked him, 'What merits do you have, weren't you just an ordinary person?' And he replied: 'Only because of the merit that I would recite blessings in a pleasant voice in the synagogue - because of this merit, they brought me to Gan Eden and honor me.'"

The 'Or Zarua' continues to tell the remarkable story: "'And this is a sign for you that I am the one speaking to you: you will see that the sleeve of my shroud is torn, which you tore when you dressed me in the shrouds.' And he asked him: 'What is that on your head?' And he answered: 'These are herbs from Gan Eden, which I placed on my head to remove the foul odor of this world.'"

The 'Or Zarua' writes at the end of his words: "I, the author, wrote these stories so that the God-fearing person will see and take it to heart, and recite the praises of Hashem in a pleasant voice with proper intention, and merit Gan Eden."

Rabbi Chaim Vital wrote in Sha'ar Ruach HaKodesh that his teacher, the holy Ari, warned him especially about this, saying that "the main attainment of divine inspiration depends on this matter, because in every food there is a physical part and a spiritual part, and the coarse material in a person comes from the physical part of the food, and when he blesses properly, the physical part is removed and only the spiritual remains, and thus he can reach the level of divine inspiration."

The author of 'Yesod V'Shoresh HaAvodah' wrote: "There is a great obligation on every person in all prayers and in all praises and thanksgivings, and nothing should come out of his mouth in the service of the Creator as a mere learned routine, God forbid, but rather directly to the Creator, may He be blessed, for His glory fills the whole earth. And whoever does not have intention and visualize in his mind the meaning of the blessing, that he is saying it directly to Him, it is clear to any intelligent person that such a blessing is as if he did not bless at all, and his punishment is great."

The author of Sefer HaChinuch writes: "The matter of blessing is nothing but a mention to awaken our souls through our words that He is the One who blesses, and through this good awakening in our souls, and focusing our thoughts to thank Him that all goodness is included in Him, and He is the King over them to send them to whomever He desires, we merit through this good deed to draw His blessings upon us, and after this mention and thanksgiving before Him, we ask from Him what we need, knowledge or forgiveness for our sins or healing or wealth and everything... and the matters are wonderful, that it is as if Hashem asks man to bless Him, but the main thing is that he himself should merit blessing."

Why live if we eventually die? Tzvi Yehezkeli meets with Rabbi Daniel Cohen for a genuine and penetrating conversation about beginning and end, birth and death:

Everyone can strengthen themselves more in reciting blessings. Several possible ideas:

1. For those who do not carefully recite blessings - choose one blessing to be particularly devoted to. It is recommended that this be Birkat HaMazon (Grace after Meals) - which is the only blessing that is obligated by Torah law. Others may wish to strengthen themselves with the Asher Yatzar blessing - which is a proven segulah for bodily health. Of course, any other blessing can be chosen.

2. Be careful to study the laws of blessings from one of the books of law on the subject.

3. Be careful with the morning blessings recited every morning - from a prayer book, with attention and seriousness.

4. Make sure that someone answers 'Amen' to the blessings being recited.

5. Mark and record each blessing said, and strive to reach 100 blessings every day, which save from death.

6. Say the blessing while seated and with proper intention.

The wonderful Asher Yatzar blessing - a segulah for quality of life in health. Watch:

For fascinating answers and evidence to the question of death, click here.

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On the Tenth of Tevet, 'Hidabroot' will conduct the central memorial for the deceased. The names of your beloved ones who have passed away must be there!

Submit names now at no cost >Click here