A week ago, a man died and left a hole in the Jewish community. He always questioned whether he was a “good Jew” when in truth he was a mentch. He was a friend and never saw the mark he left on the people around him. He often spoke about his travels and his boats. He died quietly and left few to mourn him, as a form of eulogy we offer a thought from an unknown mariner:
I watched a sail until it dropped from sight
Over the rounding sea. A gleam of white,
A last far-flashed farewell, and, like a thought
Slipped out of mind, it vanished and was not.
Yet to the helmsman standing at the wheel
Broad seas still stretched beneath the gliding keel.
Disaster? Change? He felt no slightest sign,
Nor dreamed he of that far horizon line.
So may it be, perchance, when down the tide
Our dear ones vanish, peacefully they glide
On level seas, nor mark the unknown bound.
We call it death – to them tis life beyond.
To answer his question as to how good of a Jewish person he was we offer a short story:
Tam and Chacham often traveled together to a certain village to collect money for many causes. Many Jewish families in the village became wealthy from the lumber business. They hoped that they would be able to convince the prosperous Jewish leaders of the village to contribute generously to their charity causes. Somehow, though, the people of the village were all extremely reluctant to give tzedakah (charity). Still, year after year, Tam and Chacham made the effort to return to the village and try to collect a little bit more than the year before.
Tam and Chacham would spend several days making their usual rounds of wealthy Jewish businessmen. Each person gave willingly enough, but it was only a small amount in comparison to the sums that Tam and Chacham knew these men could afford.
After a week of collecting in the village, Tam and Chacham noticed a certain name on their list: Feival Fenster. Feival Fenster was a very wealthy man and was always too busy to talk to Tam and Chacham. In all the years that Tam and Chacham had been coming to the village, they had never actually been able to make contact with the wealthy merchant. There was little reason to think that things would be different this time, but Tam and Chacham tried to meet with Feival Fenster once again.
Much to their surprise Feival Fenster answered the door himself and welcomed them into his home. He extended his hand to Tam and Chacham and gave them a heartfelt “Shalom Aleichem” (Peace be unto you). They responded, “Aleichem Shalom (unto you peace). Feival asked, “What can I do for you?”
Tam and Chacham explained that they were collecting tzadakah (charity). Much to their surprise, the wealthy merchant answered with an almost regretfully, “You know I really owe you an apology. I know you’ve been trying to reach me for years, and I’m ashamed that I haven’t been a good Jewish person. I don’t know much Torah and my prayer skills are lacking.”
The two men sat down with the wealthy merchant. Tam and Chacham explained that the essence of Judaism is much more, living Jewish is important. They then described the yeshivah (education) and kiruv (outreach) projects they were collecting for to Fenster. They further emphasized the importance of Torah (Scripture/religious) education and the great responsibility of contributing to its support. Feival Fenster listened closely, asking important questions from time to time. The minutes stretched out to an hour, then longer. Finally, Chacham gathered enough courage to ask Feival Fenster a question he had been wondering about for a long, long time.
“Reb Fenster,” he said hesitantly. “You are a very prosperous merchant and you deal with many, many people. If anyone understands this village, it would be you. You are aware that we have been coming to this village for several years. We also do some fund-raising in other neighboring villages, I was wondering why the people of the other villages are so much more charitable than the people in this village?”
Feival Fenster froze. Watching him, Chacham wished there was some way he could withdraw the question. Antagonizing or insulting the wealthy merchant would certainly not be the best way to convince him to make a donation.
“Rabbi,” he finally whispered in a soft child-like voice. “Rabbi, I’m so ashamed. I’m ashamed of myself and my village.” He swallowed. “What will I say to the Holy One, blessed be He when I stand before the Heavenly Court?” His heart broke as he buried his face in his hands and cried.
Tam and Chacham, astonished beyond belief, sat quietly and waited. Feivel’s words had sounded almost like a Yom Kippur confession. The wealthy merchant was completely broken and looking for selichah (forgiveness).
After several moments, Feival partially composed himself. In a trembling voice, he said, “Rabbis, whatever amount of money you ask, I’ll give you. I, I want to redeem my community from this embarrassment…” Tears overflowed his eyes as he broke down once more.
Tam softly suggested a figure. Suddenly, Feivel Fenster stood up and ran out of the inn. Tam and Chacham did not know what to expect, they felt that maybe they had embarrassed and overwhelmed the wealthy merchant.
Some time later, Feivel Fenster returned with a large bag and gave it to Tam. AsTam accepted the bag of gold coins, he felt a great sense of awe for this simple Jewish man who had willingly shouldered the shame of his community and opened his heart to the mitzvah of tzedakah (Charity).
