Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Last Word
This will be my third consecutive post about death. Unfortunately, death can come when you least expect it and to the most unlikely people.
Almost ten years ago I was invited to write an article for a journal (Simchas Binyamin) in Lakewood. Reb Dovid Frost sat a few rows ahead of me and he had written an article a few weeks earlier. I took issue with his conclusions and, rather than approach him directly, I ‘surprised’ him with an article refuting (to my mind) the article that he had written.
This is not as bad as it sounds. The Talmud tells us that close relationships come through arguments in Torah. A teacher and student may be enemies in the heat of debate but they will end the day as best friends - ‘Es Vahav Besufa’. By arguing with Rabbi Frost I was letting him know that I had read his article and that I had given it deep thought. I had also disagreed and was looking for a reaction.
Someone introduced us to each other the next day. I remember that he declined to discuss the issue, and I remember being puzzled at his reaction.
A decade later I can hardly picture Reb Dovid in my mind, but when I saw the announcement of his tragic death and of the funeral this morning, I couldn’t get him out of my mind.
Reb Dovid taught me that a true Torah Scholar does not need to react. He taught me that being quiet and smiling is sometimes sufficient . And he taught me that if a man can learn Torah for ten solid hours a day, he does not need to constantly assert himself and make himself heard.
We are taught that when a deceased scholar is quoted in this world, his lips move in the hereafter. Last night, I took out my old notes and reviewed the original article by Rabbi Frost. Once again, I took the time to read Reb Dovid’s words, learn from them, and think about them deeply. I recalled Reb Dovid’s non-response to my criticism and I resolved to learn from his actions.
Despite his silence, Reb Dovid had the last word.
We have lost a Masmid, a Talmid Chacham and a role model.
Yehi Zichro Baruch. May we know of no further suffering.
