once had occasion to visit the Jewish cemetery in Geneva. One of my escorts drew my attention to the grave of the well-known philanthropist, Edmond Safra, may he rest in peace. This was a man of noble bearing, who donated generously to various tzedakah causes. Thousands of people would knock on his door, waiting for hours on end to meet with him. Many wished to simply shake his hand, to have a picture taken with him, or to receive his warm smile. Even rabbanim and prominent people would wait in line to elicit donations for their institutions.
But after death, he is completely alone. No one even visits his grave. Shlomo Hamelech referred to this, when he said, “A live dog is better than a dead lion” (Kohelet 9:4).
This man’s body lies underground, but his good deeds stand by him forever.
I came closer to his grave, and discovered the following etched into it, “Here is buried the philanthropist, Edmond Safra, a”h, who built Batei Kenesiot and Batei Midrashot and tended to orphans and widows.” Nothing is mentioned about his vast hoards of money or the banks he owned. Only his acts of charity are recorded for posterity.
- With the Rishon L’Tzion, HaGaon Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, zt”l
Chazal state (Avot 6:10), “When a man departs from this world, neither silver, nor gold, nor precious stones nor pearls escort him, but only Torah study and good deeds, as it is said
(Mishlei 6:22), ‘When you go, it shall guide you; when you lie down, it shall guard you; and when you awake, it shall speak on your behalf.’”
