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the chagim, as it contradicts the obligation to experience joy
during chagim. But why should there be a contradiction between
mourning and the joyous observance of the chag? According to
the Girshuni, if joyous observance involves physical actions like
eating meat and drinking wine, and a mourner is also permitted
to eat meat and drink wine, there should be no contradiction
between mourning and joy. Why, then, is the mourning of shiva
incompatible with a chag?
The Girshuni postulates that both mourning and joyous obser-
vance of a chag are independent mitzvot. Mourning involves inter-
nal emotions, while joyous observance includes external actions.
The Ramban, however, suggests that the reason for the apparent
contradiction between mourning and joy of a chag is due to the Rabbi Loewenstern learning while resting after being in his tank for days. (PHOTO: COURTESY)
public nature of chagim. He explains that the mourning of shloshim Maimoniot emphasizes the internal and emotional aspect of
(the period after shiva) is private and doesn’t conflict with the chag mourning, suggesting that it doesn’t necessarily require outward,
because the inner emotional aspect of mourning ceases before practical manifestations. He argues that the Torah acknowledges
the chag starts. Thus, the practical aspects of mourning that an emotional state of mourning even without explicit outward
occur during the chag don’t contradict the observance of the chag. actions. Whereas the Beit Yosef focuses on the honor and expres-
However, the Beit Yishai reconciles the contradiction differently, sion of grief for the deceased, the Hagahot Maimoniot stresses the
suggesting that the joy of a chag is primarily a practical command- mourner’s internal emotional state, presenting a nuanced view of
ment fulfilled by korbanot. Hence, when mourning interferes with mourning that involves emotional suffering but not necessarily
these external expressions, it creates a contradiction. overt actions.
The Beit Yosef and the Hagahot Maimoniot emphasize different In summary, the great poskim emphasized different aspects of
aspects of mourning. According to the Beit Yosef, mourning mourning. Some consider the external and practical aspect to be
involves both emotional and practical elements. Mourning is a primary, while others consider the internal experience of grief
way to honor the deceased, requiring active expression of grief, to be primary. We pray that Am Yisrael should only know joy, and
yet there is a limited obligation for mourning even when there no longer need to mourn in any way. ◼
are no close relatives to witness it. On the other hand, the Hagahot

“He only died once. But he lived every day.”

Words of Inspiration from Hadas Loewenstern
Elisha was the love of my life. We spent thirteen beautiful alive, and we plan on living such a wonderful life. We will
years together, we have 6 children together. My oldest is live here in Eretz Yisrael and we will study Torah and will keep
12-and-a-half, he will have his bar mitzvah a week before Rosh mitzvot, and we will be a happy Jewish family. And this is the
Hashanah, and my youngest is a 10-month-old baby girl, and true victory in my eyes.
we were so happy together.
There may be a time difference between Israel and the Dias-
My husband was a big talmid chacham. He translated the pora, but, in our hearts there are no time differences. We love
Gemara Steinsaltz into English, and he used to tutor secular you so much, we feel you, we feel you in your davening for us.
bar mitzvah boys here in Israel for their bar mitzvahs. He did And b’ezrat Hashem we will all be together when Mashiach
not waste time at all. He would do sit-ups with an app, that comes – all be here together, here in Yerushalayim, and I will
after 50 sit-ups gave a minute break. He would learn Mishnayot give all of you a huge hug. The hugest hug ever.
for a minute, and then do his next set!

When the war started he went to fight, and he told me that
he felt privileged to defend Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael. This
is not about Hadas or Elisha Loewenstern. This is about the
Jewish nation and this about our enemies trying to kill us
throughout history. My husband was the first tank to go
into the south part of the Gaza Strip. When some soldiers
were injured, Elisha went to help them and that is when
he was shot.

Talking about his death is secondary in my eyes, because
he only died once, but he lived everyday. He died. Hashem
decided that my husband would die, that is Hashem’s deci-
sion, I can’t change it. But, I am alive, and my six kids are Rabbi Loewenstern with his wife Hadas and their children. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

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