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I live in the United States. My brother lives in Israel. He was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and his life prognosis is between days and months. I work as a teacher and my job would not allow me to take off more than a few days. Also, financially, I cannot afford to go to Israel twice. Therefore, I feel a conflict of mitzvot (commandments). Should I go to visit my brother when he is alive and miss his funeral or should I wait until he passes away and go to the funeral. Which mitzvah is more important and what would you advise me to do in this situation? How do I balance these mitzvot?

Click here for a(n) Orthodox answer by Rabbi Elliot Kaplowitz
Click here for a(n) Conservative answer by Rabbi Mark Greenspan
Click here for a(n) Reform answer by Rabbi Louis Rieser