Hi,
Hope all is well.
We were in New York for my niece’s wedding.
I find myself saying all the things my aunts and uncles used to say to me.
“I can’t believe it! You were just born yesterday”!
… I read an appreciation of a very special Rabbi and Jewish educator who passed away recently.
Rabbi Manis Mandel was a legend in Jewish education.
He founded one of the most respected Yeshiva day schools for girls in Brooklyn.
But he didn’t just teach “learning skills”. Didn’t just teach from books.
He taught by example.
Rabbi Mandel loved Torah with a passion. Had a special love for every single Jew.
And a profound respect for every human being.
…Two things really made an impression on me.
The Rabbi’s tenant once noticed him in the back of the house where the garbage was left.
(Rabbi Mandel didn’t like the word “tenant.” He called them “my good neighbors.”)
It seems that his “neighbor” had left some old carpets out with the garbage.
And what was Rabbi Mandel doing?
Cutting the carpets into smaller pieces and attaching handles to them.
Why?
“The garbage men are also created in G-d’s Image.
They shouldn’t have such a hard time schlepping the carpets!”
… When Rabbi Mandel would get into an elevator?
He would always try to stand against a wall.
Why?
“I’m not comfortable standing with my back to another human being!”
… Rabbi Mandel had tens of thousands of students.
I think we should become his students as well!
All the best,