To The Editor:
The first mishnah in Shekolim states that Adar is the
appointed time for marking kevorim. I would like to
propose a practical suggestion which would benefit many.
As is often reported in your newspaper, there are nowadays
several selfless and public-spirited askonim who
travel to sites in Europe and elsewhere identifying and
sometimes restoring the kevorim of gedolim,
ancestors and amcho Yisroel. Many of us who lack
the same degree of initiative and energy would like to visit
these sacred spots on our travels, whether on business or on
pleasure, but lack precise and easily-followed directions and
indications of location.
Modern technology has produced a device known as a G.P.S.
which, using reflected radio signals to satellites, enables
one to identify one's precise location. These instruments
have become quite common in more expensive cars and are now
being included even in some mobile phones. Specialized hand-
held ones are also available at reasonable cost.
These remarkable gadgets provide the user with a precise
reading of his current location. This is shown in the form of
a latitude and longitude reading (to several decimal places),
enabling the user to pass on to others an unparalleled and
unique location identifier with a precision of less than ten
yards!
My suggestion and plea to those visiting old botei
kevoros — yes, even in the UK — is as
follows. Buy or borrow a GPS device. Take a precise latitude
and longitude reading and record it carefully. When writing a
letter, article or sefer for publication mentioning
your visit, publish the exact GPS reading of latitude and
longitude. With this data to hand any later visitor with a
GPS will be able to make a beeline to the spot without
frustration. The published information will be an immediate
and eternal resource — a zikui lerabbim.
Yours sincerely,
Elozor Reich
UK
