A wealthy man, known for his vast holdings and lifelong pursuit of more, left behind two letters before his death.

He instructed his family that the first was to be opened on the day of his burial, and the second exactly one week later.

When the first letter was opened, it contained an unusual request:

“I wish to be buried in my socks.”

His family was bewildered. Wanting to honour his final wish, they brought the matter before their rabbi.

The rabbi answered gently but firmly: according to halacha, a person is buried not in personal garments or possessions, but in simple shrouds. The request could not be fulfilled.

And so, the man was buried as Jewish law requires—without his socks.

A week later, the family gathered once more to open the second letter.

Inside, he had written:

“Now you understand. If I could not even take my socks with........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)