Background

Omer Ben-Zvi

Chesed Shel Emes

Color pencil, ink, markers and spray paint on paper

Diptych, 12 x 12 inches each

2021

The Orthodox Jewish community in New York City was severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Neighborhoods with large Hasidic populations had some of the city’s highest levels of positive Covid-19 test results, hospitalization, and deaths. Due to a range of socioeconomic and cultural factors, this unique self-segregating community was extremely vulnerable to the virus's outbreak. Density, multigenerational households, distrust of outside secular authorities, as well as abstention from mainstream media, all contributed to the catastrophic numbers of Covid-19 within the community.

In Judaism, it is customary to recite a prayer of Vidui when a person is near death. It is the last Mitzvah a person can do in their lifetime. The prayer may be said by the dying individual, by a rabbi, or by family members. However, like for many across the world, the restrictions enforced in the city due to the pandemic prevented families from being next to their loved ones in their final hours. For the Orthodox Jewish community, in addition to the personal adversity, these circumstances also brought on a spiritual hardship.

Chesed Shel Emes (CSE), is a voluntary community-based organization that helps Jewish families in times of bereavement. They created a phone service with the Vidui prayers, recorded in both English and Yiddish. Healthcare professionals in hospitals used this service to allow their dying patients to fulfill their final Mitzvah. Even though many of those caregivers are not members of the Jewish community, they in fact performed a Chesed Shel Emes – the ultimate act of kindness, compassion, and altruism – a deed for which one will be rewarded in the next world.

Yehuda, a Brooklyn resident of the Orthodox community, is a CSE volunteer. During the outbreak, he received dozens of calls from members of the community. While most of the country was sheltering in place, these volunteers exposed themselves to the virus, risked their lives, and helped families in any way they could. They were present at the hospital, the morgue, and cemetery – providing medical equipment, information, emotional and spiritual support. For many in the Orthodox Jewish community, the CSE volunteers and the phone service they created were solid grounds in a time of turmoil.

Transcript:

English

For Yiddish please press 1, for English please press 2.

Fellow Jew, God is always with you in your times of distress. Our sages [of the Talmud] teach us we never give up hope; we still hope and pray for your full and speedy recovery. However, we know if someone is very ill, we use this time to share and open our hearts to God, while maybe our last opportunity to recite prayer, that enhances our relationship with our creator. Your family very much wants to be with you in person; however, due to the current circumstances it just isn't safe or allowed.

We want you to know you are not alone - our hearts are still with you, your family is with you, the entire Jewish nation is with you, and God is always with you. You should use this opportunity now, to strengthen your belief in God, and take upon yourself Ol Malchut Shamayim Be'Ahava - accepting the yoke of the God kingship with love. We'll now recite the prayers and Vidui, which are customary to say as the soul prepares to be sent back to our creator. If you have the ability to say the word along with me, please do so. Otherwise, think about the words in your mind, and that you can say Amen at its complete.

Mutar Lecha, Mufaer Lecha

- Translation from Yiddish: Joseph Swimer

Yiddish

For Yiddish please press 1, for English please press 2.

My dear Jew, we are going to say the prayers of Vidui, which is customary to be said when the soul departs the body. Your family very much wanted to be here together with you, but due to the extenuating circumstances they could not be here. You should know that they are here in spirit, you are not alone, your family is here and the whole Jewish nation is here with you, God is with you as well. We do not consider this a hopeless situation until the last moment, and we still pray for a full recovery, so that you should still be able to leave here wholly intact Ramach Iverim v’Shasa Gidim.

But if G-d forbid it is not to be, allow these prayers to be an atonement and acceptance for all your sins and transgressions. As your soul departs from this world the Satan will attempt to convince you that he can heal you, if you proclaim that you do not believe in God heaven forbid. Do not listen to him under any circumstances, he cannot help you. To the contrary you should now accept the yoke of the belief in God.

omerbenzvi.com