A Tallit

The New York Times is running an article today entitled, "Virginia Tech Victim Buried in Israel." I was most struck by this picture, associated with the article. The picture is of Liviu Librescu's corpse wrapped in a tallit. His wife and family are burying him.

The story of this great man is incredible. He was born in Romania, spent time in a Nazi concentration camp, worked in Romania as an engineer, was fired when he refused to pledge allegiance to the Romanian regime, immigrated to Israel, and then moved to the U.S.

What does it mean to be a great man?
What does it mean to be a hero?

What is a Tallit?

According to the Five Books of Moses, Torah, individuals are supposed to hang fringes from four cornered garments. When people see the fringes they are supposed to remember to follow God's commandments. Most people today, particularly in the West, do not wear four cornered garments. But when Jewish people, traditionally men, pray they put on a Tallit, or four cornered garment with fringes. In my earliest memories, I'm sitting in synagogue with my father on the Jewish High Holidays playing with the fringes on his Tallit, wrapping them around my fingers. Today, when I'm at synagogues with my friend's sons they play with the fringes on my Tallit.

One of the greatest feelings that I experience during the week is when I'm quiet for a moment. I'm quiet and close my eyes and just reflect on what's important to me. At synagogue I sometimes wrap my Tallit over my head and just meditate. It's an incredibly comforting feeling.

Traditionally, Jewish men are buried wearing white robes and a Tallit. Jewish people are buried in this way because we don't want people to be differentiated from one another in death. Everybody, the richest and the poorest, are equal before God. Therefore it wouldn't be fair for some people to be buried in expensive suits while others can't afford to be buried in this way. Being buried in a Tallit perhaps represents the ultimate calm.

While Jewish people are equal at death, some people live exemplary lives. I did not know Mr. Librescu, but I wish I had. What was he thinking in the last minutes of his life as he layed down in front of the door way of his classroom to block a shooter from entering? Was he thinking about the beginning of his life when too few Jews could flee from the Nazis in his native Romania. Is it possible that the last few minutes of Mr. Librescu's life were as peaceful as when an individual places a Tallit over his head? Perhaps he realized that he had done what he could, nothing less. Like all human beings, his power was limited. Rather than agonizing over how he could not attain more power, maybe he reflected on stillness.

Mr. Librescu, there are so many negative images of Israel on the front pages of the New York Times. I just want to say thank you. I never met you but your life can be an example for the rest of us. Our power is limited, but if we use it to the best of our ability we can make a difference. If we make a difference we can reflect upon the fact that we matter.

Laila Tov!! Good Night!!

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