כי עבודת הקודש עליהם בכתף ישאו (נשא ז:ט)

The holy Reb Mendel of Vorka zt”l spent his final days in Warsaw for medical reasons, and it was there that he was niftar. A massive levayah was held in the city in honor of the great tzaddik.

In Warsaw, the custom was for a niftar to be transported to burial on a wagon. Reb Yechiel of Alexander zt”l, one of the Vorker Rebbe’s closest talmidim, was deeply distressed by the thought that his Rebbe would be taken in this manner. He felt it was not fitting kavod for such a holy tzaddik, and wished for the Rebbe to be carried by hand and upon the shoulders.

Reb Yechiel approached the Rav of Warsaw and requested permission to depart from the established custom. At first, the Rav refused, explaining that one may not change a longstanding minhag hamakom. After much pleading, the Rav agreed on one condition: Reb Yechiel would have to bring a proof from the Torah that carrying a tzaddik on the shoulders is a greater honor.

Reb Yechiel answered with the passuk, “כי עבודת הקודש עליהם בכתף ישאו.” Since the entire life of a tzaddik is “עבודת הקודש,” it is only proper that “בכתף ישאו” — he should be carried upon the shoulders. Upon hearing this explanation, the Warsaw Rav immediately instructed that the Vorker Rebbe be carried with this special honor.