Baruch Dayan Emet
I have just learned that my most cherished and beloved LA Rabbi™, whom I believe to have been a tzaddik of the first order, who was my welcomer, my sponsor, my teacher, my mentor, my spiritual model and constant religious and spiritual presence and guide, a father to me- all of this, even at a great distance- was killed earlier today in a car accident. He was only 48 years old.
Though love is stronger than death, I am devastated and completely bereft... a light has gone out of the world.
posted by Barefoot Jewess at 6:22 pm
Mama
Josh
Han
Emet
Sammie
Marly
Tan Guy
Socks
Big Daddy
Chaplin
Coffee
Dove
Bosco
Zena
20 Comments:
I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope it doesn't sound weird, but I hope you feel lucky that you had a teacher that you can feel the pain of losing him. Most people live their whole lives without finding someone like that.
And may God comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Dearest Esther,
Thank you. I never thought of that. I was truly blessed. doubly, exponentially, extravagantly blessed. I guess I assumed that others have had this experience as well. You have no idea what your words mean to me.
I only had 6 years with him, but it was a lifetime, ya know. Yeah, I mourn the death of someone so precious and so rare. He was also the first man who showed me how a man can love his family.
I have no words, really....but I hope to have them, for him (I am living in disbelief right now). I hope to fly out tomorrow to attend his funeral, if all goes well. Thanks so much, Esther. For keeping me on the straight and narrow. You are a dear.
I'm so sorry. I expect his teachings and example will continue to live through you and the others he touched. That would be the best memorial of all.
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Agree with Esther--to have learned from such a person is a rare blessing in life, and the knowledge he gave you will continue to touch others through your gifts. I hope the funeral and experience of joining with your community is able to provide some comfort. May God comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
--aa.
I'm so sorry for his family's (and your) loss. What a gift to have such a person in your life. May his memory be a blessing.
I am so sorry, for everyone who feels the loss of this man in their lives.
Oh my God! I have been away all weekend and just stopped in - I am just shocked and stunned. Are you okay????? Do you need anything? What can I do?????
Please know that I hold you tight in my prayers today.
I know who you are writing about. I went to that shul for a number of years, roughly 1976-1980 or so. But since my family didn't live on that side of the Valley we eventually left.
Over the years I periodically made it back and enjoyed listening to some of RT's sermons. I was sorry to hear of his loss.
A brief note: thank you all for your comforting words. It really means a lot. His funeral is in a couple of hours.
Jack, thanks also. Our congregation is so bereft and still in shock. I'm glad you got to see him in action. He was a very vivid, vivacious, character with a heart of gold who aimed to bring happiness wherever he could. He was also so passionate about Judaism.
He was so kind to me on this last trip (as on other trips); gave me the best seat in the house for High Holy Days. He would do it for anyone in my circumstances. I always, always, felt welcome, even tho I had been away. He embraced a lot of us. And it shows, in the faces of those who feel his loss like I do.....
some people, your rabbi, make such a difference in our lives! whether a brief conversation, or some hours together over a few short years, the sparks are there. may you be blessed to embrace others with your knowledge and passion for jewish life even as you were embraced by your beloved rabbi. may hashem comfort you and the others who mourn him.
girl seeking,
Your comment means a lot, at a really difficult time. I am so touched. Thank you
BJ, Happy Thanksgiving. In moments of sadness we can look to those who helped us on our journey & smile when we think of what they taught us.
I am so sorry to hear this. I hope for the best for you and his family at this awful time. Be well...
My condolences to you.
Grieving someone who maeans a lot to us is never easy.
JG
edited to maintain anonymity:
tatoo jew said:
It blows my mind that I happened upon your page today... I was online looking for a place for my boss to say kaddish in San Antonio, TX and happened upon your page in my google search and it feels like beshert. I too loved this Rabbi... he was extremely close with my father and the two played golf together on many a Wednesday with my father making the tuna fish sandwiches because there was nothing kosher to eat at the golf course in R. I had just made a decision to return to the minyan and wanted to talk to him AT minyan that Thursday morning as I wanted to discuss my decision to continue my jewish education and how to move forward in becoming a baal tefilah/baal koreh...I would love to talk to you more... I created an account just to be able to post to you and let you know that what you have said touched me... thank you for your eloquence...
Mon Nov 28, 03:33:30 PM
I am so sorry, so very sorry. What an astonishing man he must have been, to have left such a mark on you. May you be comforted in the days and months to come, may you find peace. (Also later on but I'm told it becomes easier.) I am so sorry.
Dear tattoo jew,
What a small world. Please email me at the address in my profile. Sorry for the adjustment in your comment, but I try to keep this blog anonymous of all details so I can feel free to vent and opine.
And thank you so much for YOUR words. Not only the compliment, but also what a testament to what it was like to hang out with LARAbbi™ and to just expect him to be there, so willing and eager to help us grow in Judaism.
I don't seem able to post on your previous post, so here are my two agorot...
This is indeed a horrible tragedy, regardless of manner of death, and now, especially because of it. Perhaps it was this very purity, truth and consistency that you speak of that fed the demons within. There's no knowing, no holding anyone accountable, nothing to be done. You must feel so bereft--my heart goes out to you, truly. May the inspiration he gave you during his lifetime inspire you to many pure, truthful and consistent acts in your life.
May G-d comfort you among the mourners of Zion. I think it is often we who are strong and intelligent that see the brokenness of the world ... and it can become too much. Just my .02. I've danced the thin edge of suicidal thoughts myself, and no matter your occupation - butcher, rabbi, or CEO - when the enemy is in your own mind, he's very tenacious. Barukh Dayan Emet, indeed; I am sure your LARabbi(TM) will be judged favorably, and rejoice in study with chazal.
May G-d abundantly bless you with peace and may he provide you a congregation of just and understanding people to support you in your grief an in your life.
Dear eliyahu and dear Kangi and dear Esther and dear Lioness,
Well, you know I have no words.
And I thank you all for your soothing words at a time where almost no words matter.
But yours did. Every. Single. One.
Thank you! (Barefoot bows, seriously)
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