The above photograph was taken on top of the Rigi mountain in Switzerland on what could arguably have been one of the best days I ever enjoyed with my father. My, how time flies (and hairstyles change....).If anybody would like to dedicate their learning or acts of chessed today, Rosh Chodesh Av, to my father's zechus, I would be most grateful.
16 comments:
BLD knew your father very well and undertakes to learn a Perek Mishnayous today LZN. Rosh Hashana Of Course. May his Neshama have an aliyah.
Ad Bi'as hagoel. I remember for father as a cheerful man with a keen sense of humor and clever wit. May he be a mailitz Yosher for your family.
BLD, why rosh hashana of course? how are you related to Raphael N.??
BLD and cuzzin -
I am touched by your words.
Cuzzin, I am assuming Rosh Hashana (of course) refers to the fact that he was the Baal Tokeah "kovuah"...
Stories and memories of my father are always welcome (as is learning of course).
yes, I remember your father's distinct way of blowing shofar
He was a fantastic BTokeah. I always imagined that I would blow the Shofar like him. When I grew up I could never get it quite like that. I remember there was a RH when the Tekios did not go well for him for whatever reason. But he never "blamed" it on anything and remained with a wonderful Hadras Ponim and a smile and an upbeat attitude. This was and is a good lesson when things dont go well. This is because he was 100% Lshaim Shomayim, not for personal reasons. And it showed through, especially then. Tehai Zichro Boruch.
What are the rules about getting the title "chaver" and do the rabbanim at KAJ still give people this title? If not, who was the last to give it? Rav Schwab? Rav Breuer?
What a zchus. I think the baal tokeah has to his credit a portion of all the teshuva done in that shul, because he provides such an important component.
And apparently he's got a pretty amazing daughter with amazing kids, so that speaks worlds for the person he was.
I'm in for my portion of the learning I do with my daughter today.
Staying Afloat -
Wow! Thanks so much!!
May the neshoma have an aliyah and may your wonderful memories be a comfort and a joy for your family.
I noticed the "samech gimel lamed" after the name. We, too, are leviim and use it, but my hubby and son are the only leviim in shul who do use it. Any idea where the use originated?
Meir:
I don't know the rules for the title, but KAJ is not the only shul that gives it. The Washington Heights Congregation (an institution that, IMHO, deserves a research paper on its remarkable history) recognizes "chaverim" and bestows the title as well. It is a beautiful title, and one that, to me, in many ways, conveys more than the ubiquitous "rav."
G6: I don't have any particularly profound memories or stories about your father, but as I have grown older, I have increasingly appreciated the remarkable community that I was fortunate to grow up in and the remarkable kehilla that so profoundly shaped it. The individuals who dedicated themselves in ways big and small to its growth and maintenance are worthy of perpetual admiration. May his memory continue be a zechut and inspiration to you and yours for many years to come.
Staying Afloat: The zechut of the ba'al tokeah is truly mind-boggling. While my philosophical leanings are far into the rationalist camp, and I don't generally think in terms of zechuyot there are some people who very obviously have a share in the olam ha'emet that dwarfs imagination. The ba'al tokeah, the mohel, the people who help communal observance of taharat hamishpacha... I stand in reverential awe.
Ad biat Ha'goel.
Ad B'ias Hagoel. We all go back such a long way, I remember your father so well and think this is such a perfect picture of you to put up. It is just the way I remember him in the good old days!!
Ricki -
I think the way that the grandchildren "cuddled up" on him, speaks volumes.
And in response to all the wishes: Bimhairo Biyomeinu
Can't believe how time has flown. I do not ever recall seeing your father without his ubiquitous smile and good cheer. His creativity be it by printing user friendly Sheva B'rachos, or in his masterful, source-laden triangular seder plate, was a mark of his unique ability to perform zeh keili v'anveihu. Zechuso Tagein Aleinu, Ad Bias HaGoel.
BLD- where you blow now, which way do they do blow Teruah? yekkish, kind of like a connected uh-U uh-U uh-U, or the more common stacatto ?
I still have informals from when I got married. we ordered a bit too many. and I remember the stamp with my name on it for my bas mitzvah. how cool was that?
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