Dv'ar Torah in Memory of Mark Samuel

The seventh of Jewish Month of Cheshvan is the Yahrtzeit of Mark Samuel (Mordechai Aharon Ben Michael), our dear brother, father, uncle, and wonderful friend. The seventh of Cheshvan is also the day that, in Israel, we modify the paragraph in Shmoneh Esray that includes the prayer for rain in Israel. The prayer begins “ Barech Alenu Hashem Elokena et Hashana Ha-zot”’ “Bless this year for us, Lord our G-d, and all our crops for goodness”. In the continuation of this prayer, there are two formulas. In the summer, we say “V’Teyn Bracha” (We should be granted blessing) and after the 7^th of Cheshvan in Israel we say V’tey Tal U’Matar l’vracha (We should be granted dew and rains for blessing). The formula is curious. Why do we not say V’ten Bracha shel Tal U’Matar i.e. We should be granted the blessing of dew and rain? Why the inverse formula? Our sages teach that there are two types of rain: Geshmei Bracha and Geshmei Klala; Rains of blessing and Rains of Curse. The meaning of this is very evident today, as we have seen in the past decade horrendous hurricanes, tsunamis and even tornadoes appear in geographical locations that have never previously been affected. For Eretz Yisrael, the dependence on rain for water is more crucial than most countries. We are told that we have a direct influence on the rain; in the second paragraph of Shema, we say three times daily that our actions and our dedication to G-d can affect when the rain comes and bring blessing to the land. We need to focus or actions and prayers to bring Geshmei Bracha, and not Geshmei Klala.

Fundamentally, however, we really cannot comprehend how the rains are controlled, how even the weather patterns that allow us to predict a year that Eretz Yisrael will have the sufficient water for its crops and for its inhabitants. Our primary way of controlling this is through our actions and our prayers. Thus, I think it is very significant that Mark’s yahrtzeit is on the 7^th of Cheshvan.

Understanding the fundamental building blocks of the universe was Mark’s calling, his passion and his life. He was driven to delve deeper and deeper into the things that make up our very being, with the hope that little by little, we could control some aspects of the natural order of life. Be it comprehending sources of energy, small particles that lead to the formation of atoms or molecules, or creating mathematical formulae that could prove crucial theoretical and experimental observations, Mark dedicated himself to building a better world. He wished that all his work would lead to betterment of life for all; that via our understanding of the world, we could always have Rains of Blessing. The change in our prayers on the 7^th of Cheshvan reminds us of how little we understand, and the tenuous position we have in a world in which something as essential to life as rain can be sustaining, or terrifying. It should also remind us, as we reflect, remember and celebrate Mark’s life, that we should not be afraid to devote ourselves to understanding our place in the Universe and to trying to make the world a better place for all.

May Mark’s memory always be a blessing for us.

 

Dvar Torah in Memory of Shlomo Henoch Ben Mordechai Chaim, 2012

This week’s parasha is Shoftim. It begins with an admonition to the Jewish people, “Shoftim v’Shotrim Titen le-cha bechol shearecha.” Judges and Officers shall you take in all of your (gates) cities. The next 2 pesukin deal with specifics, such as not to favor one individual over another, not to take bribes, and not to pervert justice. “Tzedek Tzedek tirdof”; you should pursue justice, so that you will live long and prosper in the land that G-d gave to you.

These three psukim are a very clear foundation for building a society. The need for judges who are not corrupt, for officers who enforce the laws effectively and fairly, is a basic need in any society. The Netziv, Rav Naphtali Tzvi Berlin, comments on the first pasuk that we learn that for each city, it is the responsibility of the head of that city to oversee the municipal courts and ensure they are fair and proper, and if not, he must bear the responsibility. The need for fairness and upright behavior is not only for those in the justice system, but also, more importantly, for the leaders. We don’t have to look far to see that today, those who purport to lead us are also those that are most frequently implicated in scandal. It is not only a major blight when leaders are not trustworthy, it is highly demoralizing to society. If no one in leadership or the justice system can be trusted, why should our personal behavior reflect anything else?

The answer the Torah gives us comes from the wording of the pesukim. It says Shoftim v’Shotrim Titen le-cha bechol shearecha; lecha and Shearecha are in the singular. Normally shouldn’t it say you (plural) should install judges in all your cities? However the singular is used. The Netziv points out that the singular refers to the whole House of Israel (Knesset Yisrael) as one singular unit. In fact, when the Torah refers to curses for Israel, it is usually also written in the singular. We are all one unit; we carry both individual responsibility and collective responsibility. Each one of us has the responsibility to ensure that the justice system is fair and administered properly. And to ensure that we must set individual examples of honesty, treating each other properly and judging each on their merits.

This Sunday, the 8^th of Elul is the Yahrtzeit of Shlomo Henoch ben Mordechai Chaim, our dear father and grandfather, dear husband and brother. Sid set a tremendous example for us all in his honesty and how he treated people. I remember many in the business world telling me how Sid was the only one to speak to them like a person, to treat them kindly, to really be human. I remember one summer when I worked in the Mayfair stores that Dad managed, coming to work one and finding that an employee was no longer there. I asked what happened to “John”, and was told “ I caught him with his hand in the till”. There was no room for “Everyone’s doing it” or “It’s not really my money, let the company worry about it”. Honesty was the driving force that made Dad unique in the game. I would tease him later on that being so honest may have been a disadvantage in the business world filled with sharks, but he would have never had it any other way.

As we remember at the time of this second Yahrtzeit, the message of honesty and upright behavior, the example of fairness and proper treatment of others that is the foundation of society should always remain with us. This is Sid’s legacy and it is an everlasting teaching that we should continue to pass down to all generations.

Tehe Nishmato Baruch: His memory and soul shall always be a blessing for his entire family.

Shabbat Shalom