Rabbi Akiva Eiger and the Moneylender's Grave
Pozen's burial society demands 2,000 rubles to bury a man who lent on interest. Rabbi Akiva Eiger explains why the steep price is actually fair.
In Pozen, the hometown of the great and revered sage Rabbi Akiva Eiger, zt’l, lived a wealthy Jew. Unfortunately, this Jew had built his fortune largely by lending money to other Jews with interest. He was also miserly when asked to contribute to tzedakah.
At his death, no one felt any great sorrow. When his family approached the chevra kadisha (burial society) to make funeral and burial arrangements, they were rebuffed. The society would not allow the man to receive Jewish burial unless his family paid the exorbitant sum of 2,000 rubles for his plot in the Jewish cemetery.
His children were incensed. There was no doubt in their minds that this was extortion and revenge due to the community’s hatred of their father.
The matter was brought to the attention of Rabbi Akiva Eiger.
“With all due respect,” the sage began, “I will explain the ruling of the burial society, and you will see that their demand is in fact most reasonable, perhaps even charitable!”
Rabbi Eiger continued: