The Wonders of Harav Yitzchack Kadouri

157 without opening. The illuminated sign, “elevator in use,” stayed lit for some twenty minutes.When it ¿nally returned, I understood why. It had been used to move the body of the Rav. The bier Before my eyes was revealed a frightening sight. As I exited the elevator, on the level of the parking lot of the hospital, I saw the Rav’s stretcher, with the symbol of the hospital emblazoned on his linens. There were maybe eight people carrying the bier. At the front, to the right, stood Harav Shlomo Amar shlita, and to the Rav’s left, Rav Aryeh Deri, whom I never had the opportunity to meet face to face before. It was as if the Rav asked for them to make room for me, as Rav Aryeh suddenly said, “You stand here,” moving aside for me to hold the bier. This is how I found myself suddenly next to the Rav, my whole body trembling from emotion, in awe of being so close- up. I kissed the Rav on his forehead and asked for forgiveness if I ever slighted him in any way or acted or even thought in some disrespectable manner towards him, G-d forbid. We stood there for some ten minutes, until the van of the Burial Before my eyes was revealed a fr htenin … ig g ht sig