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Remembering the Meron Tragedy

Donny Morris z”l

Rabbi Yechiel
Morris
have a favorite picture of my
nephew, Donny Morris z”l,
though it is not the famous
c
I ture that many have seen. The
i
p
more well-known picture is of him
hovering above the dancing masses
in Meron. It depicts his sweet, shining
and angelic countenance, and has
captured the attention of thousands.
That picture reflects the elevated
and sanctified level of deveikut with
Hashem that Donny achieved in his
remarkable life.
I certainly cherish that picture, but the
one that I love the most was captured but also by a larger caring support Yes, he loved sports – but he also loved
a year earlier. It was taken in front of system. His grandparents, Rabbi Joel Torah. He certainly concentrated
Metlife stadium in Rutherford, New and Malka Morris and Rabbi Ira and when playing video games, but also
Jersey. In the picture, Donny is standing Fagie Kronenberg, helped raise and davened with intense kavanah. He may
in between my brother, Aryeh, and my inspire Donny. Loving members of have worn a sports hat to the Siyum
nephew, Akiva. All three are wearing his extended family, along with a HaShas but he also dressed like a
winter knitted sports hats. Aryeh and wonderful community, with rabbis, mensch in the beit midrash and at shul.
Akiva’s hats have the New York Mets rebbeim, teachers, family friends To me, the picture of Donny in front
emblem on them, while Donny’s hat and a large network of personal of Metlife stadium is a lesson to all of
has the MTA Lions emblem, his high friends and peers, all reinforced us. It depicts a normal child. But even
school alma mater, embroidered on and modeled the values that Donny more so, it depicts someone we can
it. With broad smiles, the picture was would ultimately internalize and all strive to become. Like Donny, we
taken moments before they entered embrace. They all passionately and can all learn from, and then emulate,
the stadium. But they were not there thoughtfully passed along a mesorah our parents, grandparents, rabbis and
to cheer on the New York Giants or Jets; of Yiddishkeit to Donny. To his eternal teachers. We can be normal, but also
they were there, together with over credit, Donny learned from all of achieve greatness. We can root for the
90,000 Jews, to attend the 13th Siyum them and then made those teachings Giants, but also work to become giants
HaShas. in Torah and yirat shamayim. We can
his inner essence.
The reason why I love that picture tap into the inspiration of daf yomi
is because it explains the exalted When speaking to students and inside a stadium in Rutherford, New
picture from Meron. Since Donny’s children about Donny, I always Jersey and then utilize that moment to
tragic passing last year on Lag remind them that my holy and soar and grow in Torah in Eretz Yisrael.
BaOmer, family, teachers, and friends exalted nephew was a regular kid, That is Donny’s
have recalled Donny’s love of Torah just like them. He too loved sports, legacy. That is
learning, his acts of kindness, his played video games, got into an Donny’s crowning
affinity toward the Land and State occasional fight with his siblings, and achievement. And
of Israel and his all around kind and had qualities that would sometimes that is Donny’s
pleasant nature. What is remarkable frustrate his parents and teachers. But eternal message
is that all of these descriptions are at the very same time, he strived to to us.
absolutely accurate and true. But better himself and grow in his avodat
what is also true is that Donny Hashem. He took davening seriously, he Rabbi Yechiel Morris
wasn’t born that way. Each one of diligently worked to strengthen his is the Rabbi of Young
Israel of Southfield in
those qualities were imparted and Torah learning and comprehension, Southfield, Michigan.
modeled for him, most directly by his and he made a concerted effort to be
loving parents, Aryeh and Mirlana, kind and caring.

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