Wednesday, September 21, 2005

"evocative of the presence ..."

I shall never forget how it was that Rabbi Joseph Edelheit pronounced the Birkas Cohanim, the Priestly Blessing, upon the conclusion of Ben's bar mitzvah some fourteen years ago. It was a moment both beautiful and kadosh! Just a short while before, Ben, his mom, sister, younger brother and I had met in "Rabbi Joe's" study to receive Ben's certificate of bar mitzvah-whilst Zac, Ben's four year old brother, peered presciently from around the edge of the rabbi's doorpost, down the hall ...


Upon the conclusion of the service but before pronouncing the "devrei brocho" (words of blessing), Rabbi Joe charged Ben with his newly-acquired Jewish adulthood, a moment made even more poignant by his reminder to Ben that his challenge would be far more difficult than that faced by most other young people. Rabbi Joe certainly was well aware of Ben's diabetes, and it seemed to me then and still now that his blessing was even more than just intensely heartfelt, but evocative of the presence of Ha Shem Yisborach!

The mood was joyous yet somber as the sanctuary filled with tears! Whereupon, Rabbi Joe-placing his hands and forehead upon Ben's bowed head-pronounced these words which God had first told over to Moshe who then told them over to Aron: "Yevarerecha Ha Shem V'yishmerecha" (May God bless you and keep you.) "Yaer Ha Shem panav elecha ve chunecha" (May He make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.) "Esa Ha Shem panav elecha v'yasem lecha shalom" (May He lift up His countenance upon you and grant you peace.)

I believe that it was the merit of those words that enabled Ben to live life as well and for as long as he did.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm glad that you chose to include pictures of Ben..he was such a beautiful little boy, and a very handsome young man..but you, with your words, are painting a vivid picture of him, and the events of your lives together.

Anonymous said...

You don't know me, was just passin through chats and checkin profiles, but yours really caught my eye and definately brought a tear. i am so sorry you lost your lil guy, seems as though he was quite a lil gentleman,,beautiful profile, Veronica
i8youroreos@aol.com

Alan aka Avrum ben Avrum said...

Dear Jan and Veronica,

Thank you both for your time, interest and kind words!

Sincerely, Alan

Anonymous said...

I've never lost a child but I've lost two wonderful men that I loved so very much. They are still with me - in my thoughts but mostly in my heart. I know that the loss of Ben has been hard on you and your family. I remember Job, in the Bible, he lost everything and yet he never turned his back on God. We don't understand His ways but we have to trust Him all the same. You have some wonderful memories. Cherish them and constantly make new one's with your remaining children. You all are in my thoughts and just reading about Ben has caused him to be a part of my own heart.
Debbie (Debinala@aol.com)

Alan aka Avrum ben Avrum said...

Dear Deborah,

Thank you very much for your time, interest and generous words about Ben's story. I am very appreciative ... really and truly!

Alan