Many will praise his understanding; it will never be blotted out. His memory will not disappear, and his name will live through all generations. (Ecclesiasticus/ben Sira 39:9)

Sometime in the night, as he slept, the soul of the rabbi returned to the Holy One, blessed be He. His son mourned the loss of his beloved father. Day after day, he cried over the loss of his beloved father.

In the moments he was alone he remembered so much he had taken for granted about his father. His father was his model and guiding light. He set the example of what a good father and friend should be. He always saw the good in people, and if he saw the bad, he would overlook it. His father would always help people overcome challenges and problems.

Days turned to weeks and still the son was so overcome by his grief he could not even leave his house. In the silence of the night, his father visited him in a dream and said:

“My son, do you think that you honor my memory with your grief? Do you not remember the teaching: ‘Who is honored? He who honors.’ (Avos 4:1) Offer me no tribute of tears, nor monuments of sorrow. Do not weep for me. Instead, live for me.”

“Show your love by walking the Way, in devotion to the commandments, faith, and people. Are we not taught, ‘No deed is perfect without the impulse of the soul…. Our answer must be given in deeds, not words. (Chovos haLavavos/Duties of the Heart, 1040)’ this is the only memorial that truly honors the departed.”

The son rose from his grief on hearing these words, and went to make his father’s memory a perpetual light to guide him and a blessing to the world.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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