Silvio Santos will not have a wake, find out why

Silvio Santos, who died this Saturday (17) at the age of 93, will not be laid to rest. The presenter’s body will leave the hospital directly for a Jewish ceremony restricted to the family.

Silvio will be buried in his private cemetery, the address of which will not be disclosed to the public. Neither admirers nor friends will be able to say goodbye to the presenter.

The Abravanel family recently released a statement on SBT explaining their decision. “He asked that, as soon as he passed away, we take him straight to the cemetery and hold a Jewish ceremony. He asked that we not exploit his passing. He liked to be celebrated while he was alive and would like to be remembered with the joy he lived,” the statement said.

How will the farewell be?

The ceremony, restricted to family, will be held on Sunday (18) at the Butantã Jewish Cemetery, in the West Zone of São Paulo. This is because the presenter died on a Saturday, a day of the week that is sacred to Jews.

The president of the Israelite Confederation of Brazil, Claudio Lottenberg, explains how burials are traditionally carried out in the Jewish faith.

“It is not customary to cremate or send flowers. Jews are buried the way they came into the world,” he explains. F5. “No Jew is buried with clothes. The Jew is buried with a sheet, without any clothes, because this symbolizes that all are equal before God.”

According to Lottenberg, in Israel, Jews are buried without a coffin. In Brazil, however, the use of a coffin is recommended for health reasons.

“The body is washed and, if possible, buried within 24 hours in a simple tomb, with a simple headstone, bearing the name and religious symbols. Traditionally, a simple, white shroud is used, with a plain wooden coffin without ornaments or varnish. The funeral service consists of the recitation of the Kaddish prayer in Aramaic by the closest relatives and religious leaders,” he describes.

“As he died during the shabbat period [sábado]then you wait a day to bury it. The coffin remains closed. It cannot be opened to the public,” adds Lottenberg.

Married to an evangelical, Silvio attended synagogue

In a 2013 interview with Sheetthe presenter spoke about his faith. “Jews should not rent out their television to others. Don’t you know that the Jews lost everything when they let other religions into Israel? A Jew cannot allow another religion into his home. That’s why I don’t let any religion into SBT, which is a Jewish home,” he said.

Although he attended evangelical services to accompany his wife, Íris, and some of his daughters, Silvio went to the synagogue regularly.

Entities publish regret notes

In a statement, the Brazil-Israel Chamber of Commerce lamented the presenter’s death:

“The Brazil-Israel Chamber of Commerce expresses its deep admiration for Silvio Santos, a visionary entrepreneur who transformed the business landscape in Brazil. Proud of his Jewish origins, he built an empire based on hard work, innovation and commitment to the public. Silvio Santos not only revolutionized television, but also served as an example of success and inspiration for the Jewish community in Brazil. His trajectory shows the power of perseverance and creativity, values ​​that the Brazil-Israel Chamber recognizes and celebrates,” the note says.

The Israelite Confederation of Brazil also published a statement:

The entity said that it “expresses its respect and recognition to Silvio Santos, whose trajectory illustrates what is most admirable in Brazilian entrepreneurship. It is with deep regret that we receive the news of his departure. As a member of the Jewish community, Silvio always made a point of maintaining his roots and values, becoming a symbol of pride for Jews throughout Brazil. His contribution goes beyond television; his impact is felt in the business, cultural and social fields. Conib expresses its gratitude for his influence and leadership, which remain as a valuable legacy for future generations”, says the note.

The Israelite Federation of the State of São Paulo sent a note:

The Israelite Federation of the State of São Paulo deeply regrets the passing of Silvio Santos, one of the greatest names in Brazil and a source of pride for the Jewish community. Silvio always honored his Jewish roots, incorporating values ​​of generosity and perseverance in everything he did. His career, marked by tireless work, is an inspiring example for all of us. A great example that will continue to influence future generations.