Halachic responsa by the Grand Rabbi of Satmar to the Weitzener Ruv – 1953
A page from the correspondence of the Grand Rabbi of Satmar, from a lengthy halachic response to Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Meizlish of Weitzen, on Thursday Parshat Bo, 1953. Printed in Responsa “Divrei Yoel” Yore De’ah, Siman 85.
Rabbi Meizlish was asked about a woman who has a sum of money of several thousand, and she desires to travel to Eretz Yisrael, but due to various reasons, it is not currently possible. She wonders if she should leave a will for her children, so that after her passing, they will use this money to bring her for burial in the Eretz Yisrael, and she is confident that they will fulfill her will in this matter, or should she send the money to Eretz Yisrael to some yeshiva.
After extensive and thorough deliberation, the Satmar Ruv concludes that it is preferable for her to send the money now to charity.
This ruling is also relevant to many questions found among those of generous heart, whether it is better for them to perform charity and kindness during their lifetime, or to write in their will for their heirs to use this money for charity, and according to the words of the Rabbi, it is preferable for them themselves to distribute the money for charity.
