Today's date and time:

Sermon for Sidra Ekev
August 2008
by Rabbi Geoffrey Hyman

I know it not usual and in fact it is actually forbidden for a hesped to be given on Shabbos but let me just share with you the following:

I was deeply saddened to learn of this week of the passing away of one of our most valued members, “Someone Else”.

His death has created a void that will be difficult to fill. “Someone Else” was a stalwart of this Shul and was in fact according to some – a founder member, according to others he came later after the initial enthusiasm died down. During his lifetime “Someone Else” achieved a great deal, more than Anyone Else – no relation of course. Whenever there was a job to get done, it was left to “Someone Else” to do; moreover everyone relied on “Someone Else”, knowing that he would see it all through. He served with true dedication on every committee in the Shul, and was a past chairman, warden, treasurer; he even served as chairman of the Ladies' Guild when there was Nobody Else – who again was in no way related.

“Someone Else” was indeed a wonderful human being; sometimes appearing superhuman. But please just permit me to share with you a personal thought about our cherished “Someone Else”. Over the last month, perhaps longer – there has been a weekly appeal to help the Minyan. Our wardens have been announcing at the end of the service, “Please assist with the morning Minyan this week as many regulars are away.” Alas, again we all thought no problem: our dear friend “Someone Else,” he’ll be there to make the Minyan. There were mornings when we nearly got a minyan – eight, nine, ah don’t worry “Someone Else” will be here in a minute, but even "Someone Else" didn’t come.

I couldn’t understand it – everyone moaned to me – ah but I’m sure "Someone Else" will be able to make the minyan – but he never showed up. So it was time for action – I got his number from Tony in the office and spoke to his dear family and I was so shocked and saddened to hear that he was terribly unwell. They told me, look Rabbi – he did far too much for such a long time for the Shul - everyone used him, he never stopped, and so during the last month his health deteriorated until he just couldn’t do any more. I also think he was frustrated by the regular attendance of “Nobody Else” – who I’m told used to wind him up. But I must say “Someone Else” always was full of praise for those who did support the morning Minyan – and even the evening Minyan.

I know you will share with me a sense of guilt, especially as we’re getting near to the High Holidays when we become more conscientious about our deeds. Maybe, my dear congregants, we did truly rely on him too much. Maybe we will try to follow "Someone Else’s" wonderful example. But please, I would appeal to you and especially our lay leadership to banish “Nobody Else” from our shul but all to follow in the steps of "Someone Else."

In the meantime – we have implemented a rota for the morning Minyan, starting from September. This will supplement our regular attendees and hopefully we will stand a better chance of getting a Minyan. I hope you will support the rota now that you know that we can no longer rely on “Someone Else”. But may I just say in conclusion, that we thank those stalwarts of the morning Minyan for their dedicated attendance – their efforts are deeply appreciated – may G-d reward them.

Our Sidra is called Ekev – and our Rabbis interpreted the verse: “Ekev tishmiun”, “If you will only observe the so called minor mitzvoth that are often downtrodden by the masses” then your reward will be great. Often it is these mitzvos that are left to "Someone Else." Let us make the effort and be that “Someone Else” – as our Rabbis also said in the Ethics of the Fathers: “Bamakom sheeyn anoshim – hishtadel lehiyos ish” – which we will now translate as: “When there is No one Else – and Everyone Else relies on Someone Else – you be that Someone Else.”

A gutten Shabbos.