Our sages tell us that Isaiah came from a wealthy family, perhaps the wealthiest in all of Judah. And that's what makes his warnings of impending doom for the whole nation so much more effective; here was someone who had the most to lose and yet he devoted himself to warning others rather than hoarding his belongings and moving away.

While I never met him, it occurs to me that Ariel was extremely wealthy too, in his knowledge and love for studying Torah. But I'm told he kept teaching others for as long as he could and his memory is still teaching us today. Now we all feel a little wealthier in the midst of this sorrow.

It must have been a difficult Shabbos for you. My symapthies always. I had a similar experience this Shabbos (in a general way, not in specifics or degree, and surely not so painful), so I am particularly attuned today.

Did Ariel actually layen that whole long double parsha?

Dear Robert,

Feel better. :)

I remain,

Very Sincerely Yours,

Alan D. Busch

Robert,

My heart aches for you and your family. May your journey onward lead you to peace and healing.

Blessings,
Joannah

Robert, if we could erase or even diminish your and Karen's pain an iota, we certainly would.

I'm sure that Ariel's sharp wit and sharp mind -- complete with wonderful Torah insights -- were already being honed when he was a bar mitzvah. No doubt his speech/his d'var Torah that Shabbos proved it.

And Jake is so right -- my life, anyway, has been enriched by the fact that you have brought Ariel into it. Thank you.

Robert,
As the Amshinover Rebbe told me, "Human speech is inadequate to accomplish consolation." We can only long for the day when, as Yeshayahu said, "death shall be swallowed up forever and G-d shall wipe the tears from every face" (Isaiah 25:8).

Jake:

I once wrote a line of dialogue in a script that went like this:

“I'm rich, I just don't have any money.”

Ariel happened to be in my office at that moment, read the line of dialogue and said to me: "Yesher koach, that's a great line."

That compliment made this screenwriter a rich man.

Kishke:

Hope your Shabbos was not too painful. Thanks for the kind words.

Yes, Ariel layned the double parsha — and just sailed through it. He loved to learn, daven for the amud, layn for the minyan, give shiurim on Yom Tovim, and even teach Daf Yomi every once in a while.

He also read "Pride & Prejudice" a few times.

Alan:

As always, thanks so much. Hearing from you who struggles daily as I do, well, it means a great deal.

I think that there is no bottom for you. So you at least have experienced the worst that life can bring.

Everyone who complains about their problems, have only to look your way,

However, it has happened.

If I were you, I would if I still am a beleive consider, that it, such a level of tragedy should never happen again,

After all, we see in this weeks Yediot, this Sundays edition, a family in Eretz Yisroel, where the 8 children are orphans having lost the parents, in a car accident this past Friday.

You can still get this paper, and read. In LA, there are many Israelis, if you can drive to such a neighborhood w/ such migrants, you will see this paper and u can see a terrible reality.

Why,do such tragedys occurs?

I do not know, but surely there are reasons or perhaps you feel there are not reasons?\
Sincerely,
Rabbi Richard Probstein

Joannah:

Thanks so much. Always good to hear from you. Hope all is well with your lovely family.

Pearl:

The generous comments and letters that Karen and I receive are a great source of nechama, comfort—more than an iota. For this we thank you.

Mordechai:

Your Rebbe is a great man. Thanks for imparting some true wisdom.

Rabbi Probstein:

You ask if I believe there are no reasons for such tragedies.

Perhaps I did not make myself clear: It is beyond our comprehension to understand such things. More simply stated: if I knew the reasons, I would be Ha-Shem.

Thanks so much for writing. I hope I've brought my point into sharper focus.

Now THERE was a tzaddik: Ariel Chaim z''l! HaMakom YeNachem etchem betoch sha'ar kol avlei Tsion veYerushalayim.

Robert,

I probably mentioned that I lost a dear friend of mine to cancer. We were 29.

There are so many memories that are burned into my mind. There is one in particular that your post made me think of.

It is Friday night and I am with his family and some other friends at Cedars. It is the beginning of the last Shabbos he'll be with us. His mother blesses him and even though I cannot see her face I can feel her plea to save his life and I feel despondent because I can't do anything to help any of them.

That night convinced me that it was a waste of my time to try and understand why some people died at an "early" age. I won't claim to understand the pain of parents who have lost a child. All I can do is say that I am sorry. But I also won't offer platitudes or comments about some kind of plan that we cannot understand.

What I do understand is that your son was a mensch and that I am sorry that I didn't get a chance to meet him.

Robert and Karen--I am so very sorry for your loss. Ariel sounds like he was such a wonderful person who brought so much light into the world.

A double parsha like that is quite a feat. I taught all my boys their layenings, but we lucked out b/c they were all very short, as was mine.

As I read these words it truly pushes me to keep me in focus & in tune with what is REALLY important in life. My life is different knowing about Ariel, t"zl. So thank you again for sharing your personal words & feelings.I hope that preparing for Pesach goes smoothly, although I know you always speak about how hard the yomim tovim are without Ariel, who brought so much life into all of the chagim.

Peace.

Robert:

Thanks for being willing to speak about the unspeakable. When I made the decision to start blogging, 20 months ago, you were a key inspiration for me to find the strength to write about Aaron's loss, a cleansing process I found to be immensely helpful, though immensely painful as well.

I was just at the yearly bereaved families retreat run by Glen. Was hoping that somehow you'd make the trip (though even many of the relatively local folks chickened out due to the weather.) and we'd meet in person. Maybe another year. What amazed me all over again this year, is how similar everyone's stories are, even though the details of the losses are so different. Most especially, we've all experienced the sense of isolation and distancing from the rest of the community, and the well-meaning, but stupid and (hopefully) unintentionally hurtful remarks. The truth is, nobody really knows how to deal with this. And we all fervently pray that they never do.

May this Pesach be as joyful for you as is possible.

While sufferring for a number of years from infertility, I found myself hearing (invariably from a Rabbi blessed with a large number of children)about the midrash that states that the Imahot sufferred from infertility because Hashem wanted to hear their prayers. Besides wanting to throw the nearest thing at the Rabbi at the time, I also found myself, for the only time, regretting becoming an Orthodox Jew. People who don't suffer a specific loss can never understand it, and should stick to offering sincere condolences, without the "helpful" explanations.

I hope Hashem gives you the strength to deal with your pain.

Jac:

Ariel's friends and Rebbeim also considered him a tzaddik. Thanks so much.

Jack:

Yes, Ariel was a mensch. Truly. I'm sorry Ariel never had the chance to meet you either. He would have adored your sense of irony and humor.

Fern R:

Light. What a perfect designation for what Ariel accomplished. Thanks so much for the insight.

Kishke:

I was in awe that Ariel was just not intimidated by the double parsha. But that was Ariel.

Ni;

It's very good to know that your life is changed simply through knowledge of Ariel. For us that means the world. Thank you.

Anita:

With G-d's help. Thank you.

Elie:

I'm glad that Karen and I were able to serve as a conduit for your feelings. I do hope that we will meet face to face one day—and share more than grief. Have a lovely Pesach.

Westbankmama:

Oh my. The things some Rabbis say. You should be given a medal for not doing bodily harm to the dolt.

How many people said to me after Ariel's death: "G-d is testing you."

Really?

I didn't know that child sacrifice was back in vogue among the Jewish people.

Do I get an A? Maybe a C- . I'm probably failing, back in high school again.

You are quite right. People should surrender their New Age impulses to immediately "make things better," and just allow us to properly feel and grieve.

Thanks so much for your fine and wise words. Have a meaningful Pesach.

west bank mama:

sometimes people say stupid things because they don't know what to say yet they feel they must say something. of course sometimes it is just better to remain silent.

robert:

[silence]

This Friday was Rochelly's Yurtzeit. With all the wonderful words that are being said, the bottom line is that they are not here and we miss them terribly.

Ari:

The sound of silence is greatly appreciated.

Hermom:

Thanks for letting us know. may Rochelly's memory be a blessing.

hi, somebody is using the identity of rick probstein / richard probstein...
I am that person and none of the comments are being made by me...
we are currently in touch with hacker experts and a lawyer to go after this imposter

signed,
the real rick probstein ( not a Rabbi)