Subject: In Memory of Baruch Yitzchak ben Yirmiyahu (Barry Pessin)
From: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
Date: 4/7/2017, 4:20 AM
To: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
BCC: menachem@alonsystems.com
As we approach Pesach I wanted to share a very nice story instead of a Mishna from Pirkei Avos this week. This is adapted from "Aleinu Leshbeyach".
We all know how special the seder night is. Everyone has a commandment to say over and to especially transmit to their children the story of the Jewish People's bondage in Egypt as well as the miraculous way in which Hashem freed us. We have the opportunity (and obligation) to pass along to the next generation the pillars of our religion, belief in G-d and His Eternal love for the Jewish People.
There was a family that had the custom, as many do, to let the children "steal" the Afikomen and then return it on condition they are bought some gift. Each year one of the children would steal the afikomen and then make their request for their gift. One year though, one of the children who was generally mild mannered and not as aggressive as his other siblings, made an extra special effort to steal the afikomen. When it came time to return the afikomen the father asked who managed to steal the afikomen. The father was surprised that it was this particular son who managed to steal it.
The child stood up and announced that he would not return the afikomen unless his father promised to fulfill his request. The father was a bit taken aback as he knew that not everything a child asks for can the father fulfill. Without recourse though, he told his son that he promises to fulfill his request and which gift does he want.
The child turned to his father, who was a religious and G-d fearing man but wasn't considered a huge scholar or extremely righteous man, and said "Abba I have one request".
The child continued, "I don't want you or Imma to buy a gift or present, what I want from you is a blessing. I want you to bless me that I should succeed in my Torah studies and I should be able to honor and respect you and Imma properly. If you bless me, I will return the afikomen immediately". The father happily and proudly conceded to his son's requests.
May we all succeed in transmitting to the next generation the Jewish Tradition and our belief in G-d.
