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April 9, 1987

In Memoriam to Max J. Etra (1987)

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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

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Max Stern: An Appreciation (1982)

I always felt that Max Stern would never die; he was not the type. Of course, intellectually I knew that no one lives forever, but emotionally I felt that this powerful man, so much in command, would be immortal and remain a permanent part of the landscape of my life. Does one expect to get up in the morning and find the Empire State Building gone, or the Statue of Liberty, or Mount Everest? For me—who knew him intimately for 24 years this week as his rabbi, co- worker, and friend, and to whom he was a father figure and supporter and symbol of security—his death is unthinkable.Yet, he has indeed left us and his death is a terrible blow for his family, for whom this is the second severe bereavement in less than a month.In death, as in life, he was quite remarkable. His demise had about it the quality of the death of a Biblical patriarch. He said goodbye to many of his family and his friends. Just a weekago today I was in his home to see him. Rabbi Morris Talansky of Shaare Zedek Hospital happened to be there at the same time. He sat up in his bed and said to Rabbi Talansky, *'Keep up your good work and you will be a happy and healthy Jew.” To me he said, "Continue on your way with Yeshiva University. We’ve been dear friends for many years. Make Yeshiva into something all of us can be proud of.” And we shook hands, and we embraced, and we kissed goodbye. . .Who was this extraordinary man, this strange bundle of contrasts that somehow made of him much more than the sum of his parts? What manner of man was this powerful, sometimes autocratic lion who could be gentle as a lamb, sentimental, a soft touch; this mighty patriarch who loved children and played with them; this tycoon who felt humble and reverent to scholars; this hardheaded businessman with the big heart who dreamed fantastic dreams of education and knowledge and Torah?Much has been said of his philanthropy, and a great deal is known of his communal leadership. But charity was only one aspect, although the mo…
Eulogies & Memorials

Outline

Memorial Address for Rabbi Zeev Shussheim (1989)

גמ׳ ב"מ פ״ה ע״א: א״ר פרנך א״ר יוחנן כל שהוא ת״ח ובנו ת״ח ובן בנו ת״ח שוב אין תורה פוסקת מזרעו לעולם. מ״ר ירמי מכאן ואילך תורה מחזרת על אכסניא שלה. והמהרש״א שם הק׳ הלא שנינו במס׳ אבות והתקן על רמז ללמוד תורה שאתה ירשה לך, א״כ מזה שתלוי בלימוד ולא ביחוסי ותיר? שבן ת״ח אם לומד תורה יזכה שמא הוא יהי אכסניא לתורה כמו שהיו אבותיו. ולע״ד שזה תופס גם לענין מוסד ישיבה תורה ממזרת על אכסניא שלה: ״פירושו, שאם הישיבה אמנם מקום תורה ואכסניא לתורה, בא התורה תחזור לה,
Eulogies & Memorials