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April 27, 1993

Eulogy for Ludwig Jesselson (1993)

Eulogies & Memorials
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Speech

Eulogy for Henry Lindenbaum (1982)

I rise to speak the eulogy over Henry Lindenbaum out of pain, of course, and out of love and sympathy – but mostly out of numbness. We read from the Torah that when Aaron, brother of Moses, lost his two children, va-yidom Aharon. The accepted translation is that Aaron was silent. Silence, indeed, is the most sensible reaction to the enormity of the disaster that has overtaken this family and our community. What can one say about this terrible coincidence, this repetition of an unspeakable tragedy: his father was killed in a crash at the age of 47, and now Henry is killed in a crash at age 45, leaving a wife in the prime of her youth; mothers and brothers and a sister to relive the pain of the old wound even as the new one sinks its teeth into them; and children bereft of a father whom they idolized.But there is a second translation of that Scriptural term va-yidom (attributed to the Jerusalem Targum) and that is, ve'shabbach, "and Aaron praised." The plain meaning of that commentary is that Aaron, despite his grief, praised God. But why not interpret that to mean, as well, that he praised his deceased children?We are here to say farewell to Henry and to bemoan him but also to give him the praise he 80 richly deserved.Perhaps the most salient feature of his short life was his capacity for growth. Orphaned of a wonderful father when veryyoung, angry and resentful at his harsh fate, a rebellious child — he grew and matured to a pleasant, warm, gracious, tranquil, loving, and loveable adult.He gallantly overcame his childish pique to become a splendid human being -- and, as well, a highly successful businessman.In his business dealings and in all his relationships he was impeccably honest. He conducted himself with unsullied honor and uncompromised integrity. He was fair, straight, ethical -- a true gentleman.Henry never spoke an evil word about another person, and no person ever had anything bad to say about him. His character was never touched by envy. No matter wha…
Eulogies & Memorials

Speech

Eulogy for Max L. Friedman (1979)

Two of the most significant days in the Jewish calendar are Rosh Hashanah, the new year, and Shabbat, the Sabbath. They represent two different notes in the symphony of Jewish values. Rosh Hashanah is a day when we sound the Shofar, the ram's horn: the ancient alarm clock that stirs the conscience and jars the complacence of those who listen to it with the requisite sensitivity. Shabbat is a day of rest and quiet. (The Jerusalem Talmud maintains that only with difficulty did the tradition permit people to greet each other on the Sabbath!) It is a day which mutes the din of daily turmoil, and in which a serene joy prevails. It is the day of Shalom, peace, and hence the greeting, Shabbat Shalom.Both of these are important. There are times when we must choose the stirring stimulus of Rosh Hashanah, and times that we must opt for the subdued thoughtfulness of the Shabbat. But if we are forced to choose one over the other, which does the Jewish tradition recommend?The answer will be obvious this year, for in but two days we shall be celebrating Rosh Hashanah which falls on the Sabbath. And on this day, the Shofar will be silent. The Shabbat takes precedence over Rosh Hashanah. Judaism cherishes the value of the soft word over the loud blast — no matter how eloquent; the quiet thought over the jarring alarm — no matter how necessary.Max L. Friedman epitomized this triumph of gentleness and serenity. He was a refined gentleman who was modest and warm in private, even while he was wise and perceptive.It is not an exaggeration to say that he possessed saintly attributes. In the Jewish tradition, saintliness (hasidut) does not have other worldly connotations. Rather, it implies superlative character, exemplary moral conduct.Max Friedman was such a man. He was a man of shalom, of peace. Indeed, his name, "Friedman," means, "a man of peace." He was sweet and generous and kindly, thoughtful and loving and considerate.He demonstrated this character all his life. He was loving an…
Eulogies & Memorials

Article

Words of Tribute to Rabbi Leo Jung (1992)

I knew Rabbi Jung in several capacities: as his associate in the rabbinate of The Jewish Center for 18 years; as a congregant here for the past 11 years; as President of Yeshiva University where he served as both professor emeritus of Jewish ethics and as honorary trustee on our Board. But I speak this evening not in any official capacity, but primarily as an American Jew in the latter half of the twentieth century who is concerned with the future of Torah and the State of Israel and the Jewish people, and who had the opportunity to see him labor on their behalf and leave them far better, healthier, and more secure than he found them because of his passage through life. Rabbi Jung always struck me as a remarkably serene man. His serenity was more than the typical unflappability of the Englishman; Rabbi Jung was an Englishman, an American, a German, an Hungarian — a truly international man. It issued from far deeper resources than a mere cultural bias. Its origin was in the sense of wholeness, of temimut, that comes from profound faith and inner conviction. Emunah, Jewish religious experience, comes in two antithetical forms, both equally authentic. One is that of a stormy scene of massive spiritual conflicts, of tormented wrangling with doubt and struggling with loneliness, leaving one filled with pain and anguish and angst. The other form of religious experience involves a serene center of spiritual tranquility — irenic, pacific, and happy — reinforced by the faith and trust in the Almighty. Despite the fact that Rabbi Jung had the capacity to struggle for his principles — and he proved successful when he had to engage in such contention—his essential personality was of the second type, that which is described in the divine command to Abraham, התהלך לפני והיה חברם, “walk before Me and you will be whole.” He was whole, a complete personality, unperturbed by dissonance and oppositions. His gift for reconciling opposites, or at least for abiding their coexistence wit…
Eulogies & Memorials