For decades, thousands of women streamed to the humble house on Rechov Rashbam. They came broken, and left uplifted; they arrived confused, and left reassured. Rebbetzin Kanievsky gave them all a glimpse of a truly great woman. On Chol HaMoed Succos the stream became a flood of heartbroken mourners.
Motzaei Shabbos Chol HaMoed Succos. In homes throughout Israel excited children pull on sweaters and jackets before gathering in little groups in the nippy air and heading out to their local Simchas Beis Hasho’eivah. From porches gardens and driveways come muted song and conversation filtered through the wooden succah walls. Buses rumble and lurch filled with the signature Chol HaMoed riders each armed with bus ticket suitcase cell phone and gaggle of children in holiday finery.
Then a different sort of sound pierces through the revelry — the mournful voice that gently broadcasts bad news to every passerby and open window. “The levayah …” it begins and the pleasant chill seems suddenly colder less friendly. The singing is silenced the children grow still the mothers stop washing their Shabbos dishes to hear who will be taking their final journey tonight.
“The levayah of Rebbetzin Batsheva Kanievsky …”
Rebbetzin Kanievsky? Every household seems to be gripped by the same shock and disbelief. Rebbetzin Kanievsky is more than a prominent name — she’s a face they all recognize a source of comfort and encouragement to broken hearts throughout the country.
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