Israel – A 75 year old Brooklyn woman died tonight in Israel after suffering a fatal heart attack while running to a shelter after air raid sirens went off.
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Mrs. Esther Finkel was the wife of Rabbi Yitzchak Finkel, a sofer who has been a rebbi in Yeshiva Torah Temimah for over 20 years and the sister of Rabbi Chaim Epstein of Yeshiva Zichron Elimelech.
The Finkels, who were vacationing in Jerusalem, were spending Shabbos with family members in the city’s center when the a red alert went out at approximately 7 PM this evening, according to reports on Israeli news site Nana 10.
While the missiles landed in Palestinian territory south of Jerusalem, Mrs. Finkel told family members that she was not feeling well and collapsed several minutes later. She was pronounced dead at the scene by responders from Magen David Adom.
“She suffered a fatal heart attack brought on by fear,” Yanky Meyer, of Misaskim told VIN News. “She was known to be a person who was always fearful.”
Mrs. Finkel, a mother of four and a grandmother who lived on 58th Street between 15th and 16th Avenues, was known for her work collecting clothing for people in Israel, assembling twice yearly shipments of clothing in her garage.
Kevura will be taking place in Israel with further shiva details to be announced for family members who will be returning from Israel. Rabbi Epstein will be sitting shiva at Camp Toras Chesed on Route 55 in Swan Lake.
US Jews should avoid now visiting Israel for many reasons of instability.
Israel is a danger zone. Anyone who doesn’t belong there should get out.
BD”E, very sad.
May Hashem comfort the mourners amongst Zion.
Why flares…my goodness. Gloves should be coming off.. alll is fair in love and war.And this is WAR…BDE…oiy….it hurts bad…
Sad!! Bde. I knew her. Just saw her at a Sefer Torah giving that her husband was part of.
BD”H
did she have a heart condition prior to coming to Israel?
Bd”e
Israel – “Einei Hashem Elokecha bo, Mereishis hashona vad acharis shana…!” – The eyes of Hashem are upon it from the beginning of the year until the end. no need for worries at all.
Jerusalem, G-d’s capital; certainly this is a safe place for every Jew!
Torah gives us ways how we can help those in Israel remain safe. 1) add an extra bit of learning each day. 2) add in acts of Ahavas Yisroel. and 3) help others put on Tefillin.
Regarding Tefillin it is stated “Vra’u chol amei ha’aretz ki sheim Hashem nikra a’lecha, vyar’u mimeka” – all the nations of the world will see the name of Hashem (Tefilllin) upon you (on the yidden) and they will fear you…!
To quote the Lubavitcher Rebbe ” Hashem watches over Eretz Yisroel from the beginning of the year to the end of the year”. It’s the safest place to be, the Holy Land, among our brothers and sisters. If you are there stay there, if you planned to go, go.
We better wake up. Studyi of Torah and working on Parnassah are important. We should do a lot more emphasis on two hours a day of weight lifting, boxing and martial arts.