Page 8 - HaMizrachi Chanukah 2021 - USA

LETTERS

TO THE

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Rabbi Moshe David Tendler zt"I Role model Shemitta van
IF THE STUDY of Torah is supposed to I WOULD HAVE added a "role model" I ENJOYED THE Sukkot and Simchat
mold the personality, consider this about to Rabbi Doron Perez's article "The Sacred Torah edition of HaMizrachi (Vol. 4, No. 5). In
the late Torah scholar, Rabbi Moshe and the Secular" (HaMizrachi Vol. 4, No. 6) particular, Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon's article
Tendler: - namely Medinat Yisrael's first Sephardic "Operating the Kitchen During Shemitta"
Chief Rabbi, Chacham Meir Chai Ben-Zion was not only informative but encouraged
When I was a student at Yeshiva Col-
Uziel. Rabbi Uziel offered a model of me to fulfill the mitzvah of enjoying produce
lege long ago, a person we would
Religious Zionism that took into with kedusha. Shemitta is a vital mitzvah
call a bag lady used to come into account respect and endear- that we must learn about and teach to
the cafeteria at dinner time. ment not only for all Jews
She was disheveled, she but for the non-Jewish our children to appreciate. We should be
excited by the chance to "consume holi-
was annoying, she was residents of Eretz Yis- ness" - especially as it's an opportunity we
demanding. Not a sympa- rael. In this time of
thetic figure. To the best great divisiveness, that have only once every seven years. We live in
of my memory, people is most certainly a Northern Israel and unfortunately are not
able to buy Otzar Beit Din produce here. But
turned away. voice in need of being
I'm hopeful that Otzar HaAretz may one day
heard today.
Not Rabbi Moshe Ten- grace us with a "Shemitta van" - similar to
dler. He approached her David L. Blatt the concept of an ice cream truck, but for
as if she were the Queen of Chicago, Illinois, USA Shemitta produce.
England. He spoke to her; he
I dream of one day seeing a van driving
heard her dinner desires.
through our streets playing Jewish music
I do not recall whether he took her to and selling Shemitta produce, bringing the
In appreciation
the cafeteria line or went himself, but he holy fruits and vegetables of the Shemitta
brought her dinner either way. Then he THANK YOU FOR your outstanding year to every community in Israel. I hope
escorted her to a seat and made sure she publication, which always offers valuable Otzar HaAretz will take up my bright idea
was comfortable, all the while speaking to reading material in shul. I am aware of the and that it will be as easy as pie - or should
her, engaging her in conversation, taking input that comes from Jonny Lipczer in I say ice cream - to arrange! Thanks for
his time. He was not rushed. Not put off. this fantastic production and I wanted to your excellent magazine!
use this letter to pay tribute to him for his
I saw this time and again. That is the Rabbi Noella
work.
Moshe Tendler I knew. That is the effect Migdal HaEmek, Israel
of the Torah I saw. That is the memory of I am lucky enough to benefit from Jonny's
.••• •
Rabbi Tendler I am left with and the model dedication in my community, and recog- m:mm . .... .
• • • • t
I have tried to emulate. nize his tireless efforts on behalf of others. . . . . ... ,
. .....
He is indefatigable and deserves every acco- ..... • •••
• • • •
Rabbi Dr. Hillel Goldberg . . . . . .
lade afforded to him. Kol Hakavod, Jonny.
Editor and Publisher, . ...... .
Intermountain Jewish News E.Y. . ······
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Denver, Colorado, USA Modiin, Israel •••••••••
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8 I HAfv11ZRACHI