Who doesn’t love a happy song, something to make us feel good about ourselves? To clap our hands and dance to an upbeat tune gives us tremendous joy. However,
Shlomo Hamelech says Koheles:
טוֹב לָלֶכֶת אֶל בֵּית אֵבֶל, מִלֶּכֶת אֶל בֵּית מִשְׁתֶּה; בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא סוֹף כָּל הָאָדָם, וְהַחַי יִתֵּן אֶל לִבּוֹ
It is better to go to the house of a mourner than to go to a party, since this is the fate (end) of each person, and the living should take this to heart.
We are now at the beginning of the month of Tamuz, the start of a three month period of contemplation, introspection and teshuva that will culminate at Neilah on Yom Kippur. Each season has it’s Avoda, it’s lessons to teach us. We value the opportunity to look inward, to understand why the Bais Hamikdash was destroyed and why we still sit in galus. We ask ourselves, how are we going to prove to Hashem that we deserve to be inscribed in the book of life and blessings this coming year? Heavy questions indeed! And when we forget what lies in store for us, an encounter with another person’s final journey may be just a wake-up call to remind us to mend our ways and return to Hashem and His Torah with all of our heart. Hashem loves us and is waiting excitedly for our teshuva! I pray that this song be used as a vehicle for Klal Yisrael’s to return to Ainu Shebashamayim!
Performed by Luzy Klatzko
Written and Composed by Rabbi Benzion Klatzko
Arranged by Yisroel Ament
Video by Benzion Klatzko
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Lyrics:
As we walked into the room so silently
All were sitting, contemplating destiny
The Maspid begins to speak
His voice so frail and weak
To all his bereaved family
The niftar was beloved by everyone
Some called him “father”, others called him “son”
Whoever thought we’d see the day
When our respects we’d have to pay
And his journey through life would be done
Chorus:
So listen close to what I’m telling you
Every word is true
Engrave it in your heart
You decide your fate by everything you say
And by going in His way
And its not too late to start
So do Teshuva
Very soon the chapel hall begins to fill
Everyone is quiet sitting oh so still
The Rabbi begins to say
In his unique and gentle way
Hashem, we know that this is your will
The niftar was known for giving charity
He built a home and raised a Jewish family
But when everything unfolds
Who knows what the future holds
Will his life stand up to deep scrutiny
Chorus:
As the final shovel load of earth was cast
I know the lessons from this day must last
For each person comes a time
I must begin to prepare for mine
So I will not be ashamed from my past
And the next time that I go to Shul to pray
To Hashem I express my love in a whole new way
I want to turn my life around
Because in You all hope is found
To be judged righteous on my final day
Chorus: