“Please, say that when you get to Shamayim after 120”

I once sang with Shloime Gertner in Tzfas on Chol Hamoed Succos. Someone came over to me afterward, a little bashfully, and said, “I know this is going to sound stupid, or tacky, but I stayed religious because of your music. I was in yeshivah, but I couldn’t find myself there, and I just wanted to get out. I discovered your music and the simplicity of it helped me pass a very difficult period.” I thanked him for sharing that, and I made a request: “Please, say that when you get to Shamayim after 120.”

— Naftali Kempeh

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 880)