FOR VO'ESCHANAN
A CLASS ACT IS NO ACT – A TRIBUTE TO MY FRIEND, ALLEN TENENBAUM
Earlier this week, the baseball “All Star Game” was held. Once a year, halfway through the sport’s season, the best players are chosen to represent the game. One single game, “The All Star Game,” is played between the players of the two major leagues.
A gathering of the best in any field is, obviously, the preeminent venue for all types of fans, aficionados, and experts. Analyzers galore present their spins at this time.
The game was played, but that was hardy the story. The spotlight was on one of the game’s most distinguished and outstanding players, Mariano Rivera. He plays the position of pitcher for the New York Yankees team. His job is to throw the ball in the final inning of the game while his team is ahead. He is, what they call, the “closer.” And he is the best closer this sport has ever had in its over a century of history. This great player is retiring at the end of this year’s baseball season.
When Rivera entered his final All Star Game, the players on his team, his defense, were not on the field to prepare for the next inning. Unexpectedly, these players remained off the field, unprecedentedly allowing the retiring star to stand alone in honor. Everyone cheered for the best in the game, including those on opposing teams.
This gesture was reported in the news. All the outlets explained that, in addition to being the best player at his position in the history of the sport, he is also a “class act” off the field. The reports suggested that he is humble, gracious, and always smiling. Indeed, after the game, with all the recognition and fame that had been showered upon him, he gathered his wife and children, and thanked G-d and them for what he has accomplished.
While I have never met this man, it is clear that when people recognize someone as having “class,” it is an indication that it includes behaving in this manner in all settings; not just sometimes, but at all times. Under all circumstance and in any place. Always.
In other words, one would expect a “classy” person to be so while in a familiar environment, and also in other environments, including while in unexpected situations and conditions. This helps explain a question regarding a pivotal segment of this week’s Torah portion, “Voeschanan”, the segment of “Sh’ma.” (D’varim (Deuteronomy) 6:4.)
The Sh’ma is a short six-verse slice of the Torah, but it packs some of its fundamental and well-known ordinances. Included in those, is the requirement of the Jewish people to recite this very part of the Torah twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. It also includes the requirement of Torah study, which has no limits to times of day or night. If one is able, Torah study should be continuous.
The Sh’ma is an integral part of prayer, and is its most recognized section. This is for good reason: It promotes the recognition that everything is really one with G-d. These words are usually the last ones recited by those whose moments in this world are ending. Countless millions of Jews, murdered over the centuries of exile, ended their lives with these same words.
If reciting the Sh’ma is so central, the question begs to be asked: why limit its reciting to a mere twice a day? Torah study, which requires the effort of concentration and experience, has no limits and is continuous. The Sh’ma, with its vital substance of devotion and fealty to the Almighty, should surely be recited all day, or at least more than twice a day!
The answer is about being a “Class Act.” When one is devoted to another person, expectations exist. By simply observing the behavior of two people steadfastly devoted to each other, it should be clear how their commitment is apparent and obvious. True commitment, however, does not end when the two are apart. When in different places, under varied circumstances, the commitment continues. It is, in fact, specifically when people are apart that commitment is more validated than when they are together.
The recitation of the Sh’ma is implemented during prayer time at the beginning of the day and the end of the day. Prayer is an opportunity to forge a direct relationship with the Almighty. At this juncture of the day, one declares his or her commitment through the Sh’ma. Once the commitment has been reestablished, it does not have to be declared every minute. To the contrary, the rest of the day, with all of its vicissitudes, is a time when this commitment is steadfastly held on to. The commitment is now verified through behavior. This is a class act, as it endures not just on the “field” in the game of life, but also off the field.
* * *
This coming Tuesday is the fourteenth Yahrtzeit of a close friend of mine – and of so many in Atlanta – unforgettable Avrohom Chayim ben Yeshayah haLevi, or Allen Tenenbaum.
Allen was tragically torn from his family and friends on Thursday, 16 Av, or July 29, 1999, during the infamous Buckhead shootings and massacre.
There are few events more tragic than losing a loved one and a friend, especially in such a senseless and brutal manner. Yet, when thinking and reflecting upon Allen’s life, he was a man who was a true Class Act everywhere he was. Whether in the Divine world of his synagogue – where he was its president – or in the business world, or with his family and friends. He maintained an innate ability to impact all those with whom he came into contact, rich or poor, Jew or gentile, big or small, with his typical keen ability to know what others needed from him. A Class Act all the way.
And his beautiful family, whom he so loved and adored, continues to follow in those very same sweet footsteps in so many ways. It is, in fact, exclusively under his and their influence and merit that the words you are currently reading in the “Good Shabbos Email,” have been written and disseminated each week for more than thirteen continuous years.
Allen is deeply missed by us all, especially by his immediate family, my very dear and beloved friends, Debra, Brittany, Megan and Scott.
On the day of Allen’s Yahrtzeit, may we reflect upon his inspiration to impact all people with respect and love for G-d and man. May the holy soul of Avrohom Chayim ben Yeshayah haLevi intercede on High on behalf of his beautiful family, so that they continue to be blessed with success and Mazal, with strength and courage, with health and wealth, and with continued growth in both material and spiritual areas.
And may the experience of the ultimate comfort, an end to all tragedy and suffering, be realized immediately with the coming of Moshiach. This era will feature, as the prophet Isaiah declares (Isaiah 25:8): “Death will be eliminated forever, and the tears of sorrow will be wiped away by the Almighty Himself,” and we will all be reunited with our loved ones. May this happen speedily in our days.
SUMMARY: The best are Class Acts, not just when engaged in the performance areas of life, but in all places and times.