By Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort
CARLSBAD, California — I just returned from an evening spent with my colleague, Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein. Although wounded on Saturday, he was up late fielding phone calls, making plans, and sitting with some old colleagues (one of whom is me). Rabbi Goldstein stared death in the face; the rifle of the terrorist was leveled directly at his face and the terrorist pulled the trigger, for some reason, miraculously, the bullets missed. One bullet knocked the Yarmulkah off of his son in law of three weeks, Rabbi Polter. He showed me the hole in it caused by the bullet. But it missed him.
The hail of gunfire did end one life, Mrs. Lori Kaye, may her memory be a blessing. Lori’s husband, Dr. Howard Kaye, shared some inspiration from this week’s Torah portion, which speaks in the aftermath of the death of Aharon HaKohen’s (the priest) two sons, Nadav and Avihu. The Midrash tells us of a conversation between Moses and his brother Aaron after the tragedy. Aaron couldn’t speak, he was rendered silent due to his profound loss. Moses said to his brother that G-d’s name had been sanctified by the death of Aaron’s sons and their death demonstrates their incredible holiness. Moses had been informed by G-d Himself that He was going to cause the sanctification of His name through the passing of the righteous. Moses thought that G-d meant that he and Aaron would be the ones taken, but now he knew G-d meant Nadav and Avihu, and this showed that their holiness was superior even to that of Moses and Aaron.
And such was the life of Lori, a woman utterly devoted to the notion of revealing the Divine Presence in this world by lavishing kindness upon everyone and anyone she met, by sprinting to do Mitzvos, by sacrificing for others. She was the one taken by gunfire; she was the holy one taken by the Holy One back home.
Now that the final needs of the precious deceased have been met and she has been laid to rest, and is certainly receiving her eternal reward, we must focus on turning our pain into positive action, as our Rebbe taught us. WE, you and I, must strive to fill her shoes! We cannot allow her death to be in vain.
What are we to do?
We will dedicate this week’s classes to the memory of Leah bas Re’uvain [Lori’s ceremonial Hebrew name.] On Thursday there will be a Challah bake in the merit of the holy soul of Leah bas Reuvain. On Friday we are asking all of the women to light Shabbat candles, on time, in the merit of Leah bas Reuvain. This is particularly important because she cannot physically bring light into the world anymore so we must do it for her. Men should put on Tefillin in honor of a complete and speedy recovery for Rabbi Goldstein and the other wounded. And finally we must fill the pews in our precious Chabad House, in honor of our hurting brothers and sisters in Chabad of Poway. Across the nation and around the world a massive, grass roots effort is underway to fill the shuls to show that we are, in the words of Rabbi Goldstein, “Strong, united, and that we cannot be broken!”
Following services we will enjoy, together, all of us, a beautiful Kiddush lunch in honor of Lori, in honor of Rabbi Goldstein and the other wounded, and in honor of Chabad of Poway.
Tonight, while we were sitting together Rabbi Goldstein, who looked pensive and worried, asked me, “How is the world looking at me, like a victim? like a hero?” I said to Rabbi Goldstein, “The world is looking at you like you are a victim who thought about and saved others and therefore became a hero; and that is a leader. You are a leader! You are inspiring the world!” I felt incredibly privileged and humbled to be sitting there and being able to just ‘shmooze’ with my colleague.
Rabbi Goldstein, a miraculous survivor of the worst sort of senseless viciousness, has been invited to attend the National Prayer Day gathering at the White House with the President on Thursday. After checking with his doctor, who gave his blessing, he agreed to go. I believe the President, who called Rabbi Goldstein after he got out of the hospital to console and comfort him, wants to shake his hand and thank him for his heroics and his leadership in a time of the most awful type of crisis.
Early this morning I received the surprise of a lifetime. I too have been invited, together with Rabbi Fradkin, Regional Director of Chabad of San Diego, to the National Prayer Day gathering at the White House. This year it happens to coincide with Yom HaSho’ah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. I cannot help but see the Hand of the Almighty in all of this. I cannot help but feel that Rabbi Goldstein’s ordeal, which is emblematic of the long history of Jewish exile and suffering at the hands of the wicked, will ultimately help bring out a tidal wave of love and unity amongst the decent peoples around the world. Perhaps, please G-d, this is the moment that will precipitate the final redemption!
I am sure that our participation in these extra few Mitzvos for Lori, for Rabbi Goldstein, for Chabad of Poway, will make the difference and tip the scales in our favor!
Please, join us in these Mitzvos! Please, let us work together in love and cooperation to bring Moshiach NOW!
Let us know which Mitzvah/s you will do to honor the memory of Lori and in support of Chabad of Poway. Let us know that you will be joining us in studying Torah, baking Shabbat Challah, Lighting Shabbat candles or men in putting on Tefilin, and coming to shul FILLING OUR PEWS this holy Shabbos! I will share a play by play recount of what happens in the White House (but there won’t be any politics). We must and will focus on what unites us.
Am Yisroel Chai! The Nation of Israel lives!
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Rabbi Eilfort is spiritual leader of Chabad of La Costa.