Speech
Eulogy for William Frank (1976)
In the words of Job (3:25): "The one thing which I did fear is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of hath overtaken me." All of us knew that sooner or later this would happen. Yet, the anticipation is no consolation, the pain is no less sharp, the bereavement no less grievous. On the contrary, we all feel devastated. The Talmud taught that if one of a group dies, the other members of the group worry. Indeed, if such is the lot of one so strong, so vital, so superior, how secure can the rest of us be? We know now that we live our lives on the thin rim of the deep abyss, suspended by gossamer threads of unknown durability.Our first reaction to the death of Zev Frank — or, as he was known to us in our youth, as Willy -- was: what a waste! What great achievements could have been his in the world of mathematics and science, what glory he could have shed upon our people! And indeed it is a tragic waste. Yet, let us by no means overstate it. For although Willy passed away young, at the age of 46, he used his few years creatively, constructively, and productively -- in his research, in the enlightenment he brought to others, in the joy he spread around him, and above all in the beautiful family he leaves behind.This day, the day that Willy Frank expired and returned his soul to his Maker, is the last day of the Hebrew month of Tevet. Tomorrow is the first day of a new month -- Rosh Hodesh Shevat. The first day of Shevat is mentioned once in the Torah. In the beginning of Deuteronomy, we learn that Moses had already finished giving the Torah and he now begins to repeat and to review it. "... In the eleventh month, on the first day of the month (i.e., Rosh Hodesh Shevat)... Moses began to expound this Torah" (Deut. 1:3,5). First he gave the Torah, and then he commenced its elaboration -- the Mishneh Torah.The living Torah of Willy is done. Now we shall begin the Mishneh Torah ofhis life. Now we shall not only not forget him, Heaven forbid, but we shall begin to review…
