IN TRIBUTE: Mrs. Esther Porges, a”h, Lived to 100 Following Viener Rov’s Blessing

YS GOLD 

Mrs. Esther Porges left this world on Shabbos at the ripe old age of 100 years old, leaving behind a large distinguished Torah family. 

She was extremely well known in the community for her selfless acts of chessed that defy understanding. A grandchild recalled that Mrs. Porges built a home for herself—and then proceeded to give it away to another person, and she consistently undercharged her tenants for their rent. 

She was also known for her piety and ehrlichkeit. She never missed a Shabbos of washing melave Malka—including the zemiros—and she was meticulous in her tefillah and all mitzvos. 

As she ascended to the World of Truth, a remarkable story emerged which shed light on her incredible longevity. The story would be too incredible to believe if not for the hard documentation to prove it—and this is the story: 

Rav Ezriel Yehuda Lebovics was the Viener Rov for many years, and he led the kehillah with great devotion and dedication. In 1973, the Viener Yeshiva was looking to buy a lot for the cheder, and Mrs. Porges agreed to sell her home to the mosdos for market price. But Rav Lebovics asked for a steep discount of $25,000, an astronomical sum in those days! 

Mrs. Porges agreed, but on one condition. “I want a blessing that I should live to one hundred years in good health,” she said. The Rov agreed, but then she asked for his assurance in writing—which he gave her on her letterhead with the following words: “… mitoch briyus hashleimah ad me’ah shanah,” 

Mrs. Porges lived for precisely one hundred years and never required even one medication. On Shabbos, she suffered a heart attack and passed away two hours later, leaving behind an incredible legacy, and a public strengthened by the story of a tzaddik’s promise. 

Yehi zichra baruch.