This week’s Torah portion discusses the mitzva of inheritance (see (Bamidbar 27:8)

Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein related the following fascinating story that pertains to the mitzva of inheritance.

A certain wealthy congregation began a construction project to improve the appearance of its shul. The congregation decided that while they were fixing the appearance of the shul they should also  repair their Sifrei Torah, Torah Scrolls. The president of the shul asked a team of two sofrim (scribes) to inspect the Sifrei Torah. The sofrim inspected the Torah scrolls and saw that they needed a lot of repairs. They gave an estimate to the president that all of the work would cost $6000. The president, who wanted to get a bargain said, "We are only willing to spend $1000 towards this project. If you don’t do it for this price we will continue to use the Torahs and it will be your responsibility that they are not fixed". Even though the sofrim knew they were being severely manipulated, they agreed to do the job. They figured that they were doing a mitzva and Hashem would pay them back for their efforts.

After many weeks of effort, the sofrim finished the work. They drove down together to return the Torah scrolls to the shul.  As they were driving on the highway one of them needed to use the restroom. There was no restroom immediately available so they decided to pull into the first building available, which happened to be a non-Jewish funeral home. As they walked into the funeral home to use the restroom, they saw that there was a funeral in session and the coffin was being escorted. The two men decided to join the small group escorting the dead in order to be respectful. One of the ushers gave them a guest book to sign and they signed their names and addresses. The  sofrim continued to conclude their trip and returned the Sifrei Torah.

Shortly afterwards both of the sofrim received a letter in the mail. The letter was from the lawyer of the deceased. In the letter, the lawyer described that the deceased's last name was Goldstein. Mr. Goldstein was a wealthy holocaust survivor who had no children. He left a will that stipulated that he wanted his entire estate to be divided between those who came to his funeral.  Each of the men would receive a check of $100,000. The two sofrim at first thought that this was exactly the divine payback that they assumed would come.

But at second glance they wondered if they could keep the money. First of all, the deceased was a Jewish man and he must have some living relatives. According to the Torah laws of inheritance the estate should be diverted to the closest living relatives.

Secondly, was it honest to keep the money?  They never really planned to go to the funeral. They only went there to use the restroom, but ended up staying out of respect.

What do you think?

See  Veharev Na Volume Three Hebrew Edition page 46

Answer to last week’s moral dilemma

This story is discussed in Chashukei Chemed Yoma page 53
 
Rabbi Zilberstein writes that in this case, If Dr. Weiss thinks he can successfully convince the management to give Dr. Berman more money to stay in Israel, it would be permitted to tell them. Many are of the opinion that the prohibition of sharing private information is only when it causes the owner harm. In this case, however, he will give Dr. Berman a benefit of earning more money. This would be especially so in this case because keeping him in Israel would be an issue of Pikuach Nefesh, saving Jewish lives.
Rabbi Zilberstein however concludes citing other opinions (Shailos V'tshuvos Chakekei Lev) that say that this would not be permitted because one cannot share private information even if it will not cause any harm.