R' Ovadia Yosef was asked if it is appropriate to hold a ceremony with prayer in shul, similar to the Jewish ritual, for a Druze soldier killed in action in order to elevate his soul (l’ilui nishmaso). He explained that it would in fact be a mitzvah, as the Druze people believe in one G-d, as well as in the afterlife. Furthermore, they are drafted into the Israeli army and give of themselves to protect the residents of Israel. They observe the Sheva Mitzvos Bnei Noach, and are considered chassidei umos ha’olam, righteous among the nations.
There was a woman who saved eleven Jews during the Holocaust by hiding them in her basement and providing them with food and shelter. After liberation, when they wanted to repay her for what she had done, they discovered that she had died. One of the eleven that was saved then asked if he was allowed to say kadish for her. R’ Efraim Oshry ruled that not only was it permitted but it was a mitzvah to say kadish with her in mind.
Rabbi Alt merited to learn under the tutelage of R’ Mordechai Friedlander ztz”l for close to five years. He received semicha from R’ Zalman Nechemia Goldberg ztz”l. Rabbi Alt has written on numerous topics for various websites and publications and is the author of six books including the recently released Dazzling Money Insights. His writings, some of which have been translated into Yiddish, Hebrew, German and French, inspire people across the spectrum of Jewish observance to live with the vibrancy and beauty of Torah. He lives with his wife and family in Kiryat Yearim (where the Aron was for 20 years [Shmuel 1, 7:1,2]) where he studies, writes and teaches. The author is passionate about teaching Jews of all levels of observance.
