Six months ago - 4th November 2018
"We are all capable to demonstrating kindness to each other and sometimes, it only takes a little action to make that difference.
Learning about the people who were killed last Shabbat, we have read that each one was a beacon of chesed in that community.
We can’t bring those people back, but if we bring some more chesed to this world, by being here together, praying as one – we can maybe cause some more light to shine onto our world and to hopefully avoid another tragedy."
Audrey Jacobs (on Facebook)
"Lori you were a jewel of our community a true Eshet Chayil, a Woman of Valor. You were always running to do a mitzvah (good deed) and gave tzedaka (charity) to everyone. Your final good deed was taking the bullets for Rabbi Mendel Goldstein to save his life"
Hannah Kaye (her daughter)
“Everyone was her sister, everyone was her trusted confidante,”
“Everyone was her friend.”
The Times of Israel
Lori Kaye was known to drive hours to visit a sick friend.
She bought six months’ worth of medication for someone without insurance. She left her freshly baked challah in mail boxes and on doorsteps all over town and would buy extra bagels and coffee during her morning routine to be able to give them away, her family and friends said.
Her mission was to help others enjoy life, just as she did and she gave to numerous charities.
(א) וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר ה' אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה אַחֲרֵ֣י מ֔וֹת שְׁנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֣י אַהֲרֹ֑ן בְּקָרְבָתָ֥ם לִפְנֵי־ה' וַיָּמֻֽתוּ׃
(1) The LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they drew too close to the presence of the LORD.
(ג) וַיֹּ֨אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֜ה אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֗ן הוּא֩ אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֨ר ה' ׀ לֵאמֹר֙ בִּקְרֹבַ֣י אֶקָּדֵ֔שׁ וְעַל־פְּנֵ֥י כָל־הָעָ֖ם אֶכָּבֵ֑ד וַיִּדֹּ֖ם אַהֲרֹֽן׃
(3) Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD meant when He said: Through those near to Me I show Myself holy, And gain glory before all the people.” And Aaron was silent.
Aharon was silent - because there was nothing to say.
Both of Aharon's sons and Lori died in a holy place - a Mikdash - a shul. When they were closest to Gd. In dying, they were sanctified to Gd.
But there was nothing to say.
"And Aaron was silent".
What can we say when a wonderful person like Lori is lost to us in such a manner?
We can be silent, like Aaron, or we can look at the legacy she left behind and the name that will forever be associated with her actions, both last Shabbat and throughout her sixty years amongst us.
(יג) רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר, הֱוֵי זָהִיר בַּתַּלְמוּד, שֶׁשִּׁגְגַת תַּלְמוּד עוֹלָה זָדוֹן. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אוֹמֵר, שְׁלשָׁה כְתָרִים הֵם, כֶּתֶר תּוֹרָה וְכֶתֶר כְּהֻנָּה וְכֶתֶר מַלְכוּת, וְכֶתֶר שֵׁם טוֹב עוֹלֶה עַל גַּבֵּיהֶן:
(Rabbi Shimon says: There are three crowns: the crown of Torah, the crown of priesthood and the crown of monarchy - but the crown of a good name outweighs them all.
Lori wore all four crowns - she lived by the Torah, dedicated herself to teaching others through her actions, like a priest and shone like a Queen. Her good name has now traversed the world - and that is the legacy that will forever be spoken about by others.
On Thursday, we commemorated Yom Hashoah, when we lost six million of our people.
Like Aaron, we could have remained silent in the decades since the Shoah, but we have chosen to remember each and every one of them, year after year after year.
This week, we remember six million and one and we won’t be silent when we talk about Lori - Leah bat Reuven.
May her memory and those of our people who died al kiddush Hashem - sanctifying Gd's name - be a blessing to all of us and may Gd protect us “Mi kol Tzara Vetzuka – from all distress and anguish”
May all of Israel, throughout the world be blessed with a happy, healthy and safe new month.
Shabbat Shalom.