Since the death of Ahuvia Sandak, z”l, who was tragically killed in a police car chase on Tevet 6 5781/ December 21, 2020, Honenu has been representing those who are insisting on the investigation of the incident and defending the many who are detained while demonstrating for change in police behavior. The car Ahuvia was in with four other boys overturned when the police car collided with it from behind. Please click here for a list of posts connected to the case.
Thursday, December 29, 2022, 21:25 The evening of Thursday, December 29, marks two years since Ahuvia Sandak, z”l, was killed in a police car chase with an unmarked Binyamin police car. (The Hebrew date of death is Tevet 6.) Ahuvia’s family shared an audio recording (see below) of a telephone condolence call from Rabbi Chaim Drukman, ztz”l, during their shiva.
Rabbi Drukman opened with an apology for merely phoning: “If I could, I would come in person. However, I am closed in now [because of the Coronavirus] and I cannot come. I did not know Ahuvia, but I heard that he was unique. May the Holy One Blessed Be He console you. G-d willing, you will have many celebrations, all of Israel will have celebrations.”
The rabbi continued with the story from the Gemara (Avot D’Rabbi Natan) about the death of Rabbi Yohanan Ben Zakkai’s son: “The Sages say that when Rabbi Yohanan Ben Zakkai’s son died, his students tried to console him… and he would not be consoled. Then Rabbi Elazar Ben Arah said, ‘I will tell a parable: To what is this situation similar? To a man left a precious object by the king. Every day he cried and shouted [out of anxiety over the responsibility]: Woe to me. When will I ever be able to safely return it?’ Also, you rabbi, had a son. He studied Torah, the Prophets, the Scriptures, Mishna, Halacha, and Agadot, and died without sin [emphasized]. You must accept the consolation of having returned your precious object unblemished. Rabbi Yohanan told him: ‘Elazar, my son, you have consoled me properly.’”
Rabbi Drukman added, “What else can we say? May the Holy One Blessed Be He console you. May you have only celebrations,” and then burst into tears, as did Ahuvia’s mother, Ayelet.
Ayelet thanked Rabbi Drukman for his support and said, “Ahuvia had dreams. He wanted many families in Maoz Esther. Thank you very much. You have consoled us. Ahuvia was a happy person, and we will continue to be happy, and continue to build Maoz Esther.”
Rabbi Drukman continued to assist the family, who formed a very close connection with him.