Segula for Long Life
These words are dedicated to the beautiful neshama of my dear father in-law, R' Avraham ben Mazel z'l who returned to his Creator this past Monday, Taanit Esther.
My father in-law was the most noble, kind, sweet-hearted, humble, loyal man that I had the privilege to know. He was so simple and yet so elegant, a fine man, a true mentch who absolutely loved his family and Torah. He was a baal midot tovot (master of fine character traits). I never ever saw him angry, he was always in control of himself, and yet he never held back a tear of compassion, empathy or sympathy. He was a sensitive man who treated everyone like royalty, especially his beloved wife a’h, and greeted every single person that he came into contact with respect and a warm hello.
My father in-law lived until the age of 93 ½, was sharp until the day his last day, went to shul, learned Torah, worked until the age of 90 and always wore a suit. He passed away sleeping, in his bed. He left this world with a kiss from Hashem, not owning a single material item and yet was probably one of the wealthiest men in the universe.
I know that nothing in this world makes sense and we do not know the ways of Hashem. The precise moment of a person’s coming into this world as well as his passing is only in the Hands of Hashem, but I can’t help but conclude that his longevity was in large part do to his calm nature. He simply wouldn’t allow himself to be drawn into any arguments or get angry. He cared about people, not about things.
How many times have I heard, “The whole world is going crazy now.”
Yes, we are going crazy, or maybe we have always been.
We are looking for cures and the secret to health. Every day I am sent some notice about some vitamin to take or something to do in order to prevent illness and I will share with you what I think is the biggest segula for health and longevity. Take my father in-law as an example. Be calm and yet compassionate. Be slow to anger and abundant with mercy. Treat every person with respect and live life fully and simply.
Just like one can never imagine what birth looks like one can never imagine what shiva will look like and it’s the strangest thing now to see my husband sitting here in Yerushalayim alone while his brothers and uncles sit on the other side of the world.
A virus and an empty airport separating worlds and families.
Yes, my husband sits alone, but b”H we are together.
I can’t help think of the irony of the passing of my father in-law right now with all this going on and yet the timing of this week’s parsha, Ki Tisa, is actually approapriate. Because my father in-law was the man of the chatizt hashekel. Each person of Am Yisrael from the richest to the poor was counted by the same amount.
This they shall give, everyone who goes through the counting: half a shekel according to the holy shekel… The rich shall give no more, and the poor shall give no less than half a shekel…(Shemot 30:13-15).
My father in-law a’h gave each person, from the guard at the gate to the president in a corporate office the same smile and handshake. Yes, each person counted and mattered. Each person had an important contribution to make. And when we count like this, when we treat each other and ourselves with respect, kavod, that is deserving of every person, then the Torah tells us it that then there will be no plague among them when they are counted (ibid 30:12).
May these words be an elevation for the soul of Rav Avraham ben Mazel and may there be only sorot tovot.
Shabbat Shalom,
Elana