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April 29, 2005
Seraphic Rabbi, Seraphic Reader
She has the face of a young beauty from 17th century Flemish portraits. Alabaster skin, cheekbones sharp as snow plows, eyes shaped like almonds, the vivid color of chipped glass. She is staring at me, whispering to her female companion. Or am I imagining all this? A moment later, nervous as a bird, she approaches me.
"Are you Robert Avrech?"
Karen and I have driven two hours to the Chevra Pesach program in Palm Springs to meet with Rabbi David Fohrman. He has graciously agreed to deliver the second Ariel Avrech Yahrtzeit Lecture, Sunday June 19, 11 AM, at the Young Israel of Century City. Ariel made us aware of Rabbi Fohrman's astonishing Torah tapes. He was in one of Rabbi Fohrman's chaburah's at Ner Yisroel and was deeply influeneced by Rabbi Fohrman's method of learning Torah. Naturally, Ariel wanted to share this knowledge with us. Karen and I listened to the tapes and we were just knocked out. Rabbi Fohrman is that rare Rebbe who understands the importance of learning Chumash and Navi. Unfortunately, the Yeshivish world has all but abandoned the deep study of written Torah in favor of Gemara, the Oral Law. I know the theory, that you will learn Chumash and Navi by studying Gemara, but let's face it, that's a smoke screen. The truth is that respect and status in the yeshivish world comes from studying Gemara. To know Torah and Navi is seen, sadly, as somehow not on the same high intellectual level. Rabbi Fohrman has raised the bar in Torah study. His ideas are all traditional mesorah, but he manages to inject fresh insights to these deeply familiar stories that, well, should be in the curriculum of every single yeshiva. His work is a gift to the world.
"Are you Robert Avrech?"
"Yes."
"I thought so. I just wanted you to know that a few months ago I was on bed rest and it was then that I discovered your blog. I love the way you write about your family and politics. Oh, and I just bought The Hebrew Kid and the Apache Maiden."
"Thank you. Thank you so much."
"I also want you to know that I davened for Ariel when I was in high school. It was so hard for me to stop davening for him."
I can only nod.
We speak for a few minutes more and then she leaves. She is pregnant and I wish her a "B'sha'ah Tova."
"Look at that," says Karen, "you have fans."
I smile sheepishly. In truth, Karen and I are deeply touched. To hear a stranger speak of Ariel in such warm tones means the world to us.
We drive back to Los Angeles listening to one of Rabbi Fohrman's wonderful tapes and it occurs to me that no matter where I go in the world now chances are good that I will meet someone who knows Ariel through Seraphic Secret. His goodness is known and he is not forgotten; for this I am grateful.
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at April 29, 2005 08:39 AM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
When I started Yeshiva, It was implied that Navi was for women....of course, that's rediculous. I currently learn daf yomi, and every day it occurs to me that having a solid grasp of Nach (the Prophets)would be useful. There really isnt any excuse for not learning Nach, especially with the excellent translations and commentaries available.
Robert and Karen, there is no way that Ariel's memory will ever be forgotten. Starting this blog was a wonderful idea....not only to keep alive Ariel's memory, but also to allow us the chance to get to know someone who undoubtedly was a real special young man.
Shabbat Shalom.
Chag Samaeach.
Posted by: Lance at April 29, 2005 10:31 AM
You certainly lay claim to certain physical descriptions, making them your trademark; look back at your description of Rachel in your post "Lozen Lives" and you'll see what I mean.
You have a wonderful way with words and they translate themselves beautifully onto the big screen, onto the TV screen and onto the computer screen... [as she pecks away at the keyboard like a woodpecker making his presence known in a nearby tree]
Posted by: Pearl at April 29, 2005 10:57 AM
Goodness me, yes. Everything on this blog is wonderful in my opinion, but it's a special treat when you write about Ariel. What a fantastic young man, I am always hoping to read more about him. And what a privilege for us all to get to know your son in this way. (If that sounds like begging for more... well, it is.)
Posted by: Alice at April 29, 2005 01:04 PM
I believe someone wrote in an earlier comment that no parent going through this kind of tragedy wants their child to be forgotten. I sure hope nobody forgets my sister.
Posted by: s at May 3, 2005 12:03 PM
One of the good things about Yeshiva of Flatbush high school was the school's emphasis on Torah and Navi. When I was there in the mid-80's, all students actually spent more time each day in Torah classes than Talmud. Of course, there was a dark side to some of this. The Torah department was run by a brilliant-but-troubled Yoreid who was living with intense guilt over having left Israel. He was also a vicious racist. Every once in a while he would say something so wonderful... (my favorite was: "When people ask me whether I'm 'Orthodox,' or 'Black Hat,' etc., I always say: 'I'm just a Jew who's trying his best to follow God's commandments')... and ruin it a week later with something so ridiculous, (my LEAST favorite: "All people in India are evil... all 1 billion of them!")... they would cancel each other out.
Posted by: Jake at June 22, 2005 08:43 AM