“When offered DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) and DNI (Do Not Intubate) forms, do not sign unless reviewed and approved by a rav”
My husband and I have had frequent conversations on this bizarre phenomenon of people not actively looking for a family rav, and so I was thrilled to see the well-thought-out article authored by Rabbi Moshe Walter last week.
Our rav has been a part of our lives ever since my husband was a young guy and fairly new to yeshivah. When we were dating, the rav took the time to sit with us — young and starry-eyed as we were — to discuss the future we envisioned with each other, and then spent a lot of time listening and advising based on our histories and goals.
From literally that point until now, and may it continue for a very long time, he has been our halachic guide, mentor, life advisor… you name it. We have asked literally thousands of questions on every topic under the sun, and he always answers with thought and understanding because he knows us. He’s guided us patiently through issues pertaining to chinuch, shalom bayis, finances, community, and the list goes on and on. Our relationship with Hashem has deepened and strengthened in every single way and that is largely in his zechus.
Our rav has challenged us and gently pushed us out of our comfort zone. He has been steadfast in his commitment to our family, and we have tremendous hakaras hatov to him and his entire beautiful family for their constant mesirus nefesh. We are acutely aware that we are just one family of many around the globe who seek his particular guidance, and we have often wondered how he has time and headspace for us all. The only answer we’ve managed to come up with is that he simply doesn’t sleep.
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