By Dovid Zaklikowski for COLlive and Hasidic Archives
Eighty-six and still brimming with energy, Rabbi Dovid Edelman hoisted his great-grandchildren into the air before enfolding them in a bear hug.
Their great-grandfather’s visits were always a treat for the Brickman family, and they were thrilled that he had come from Longmeadow Massachusetts, where he served the director of the Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy, to spend Shabbos with them in upstate New York.
During “Shalom Aleichem” on Friday night, the rabbi danced, joyfully welcoming the angels to the Shabbos meal. As they ate, he spoke to each grandchild and great-grandchild in turn, listening as though he or she were the only person in the room. Later, the children listened enthralled as he told one of his famous stories, full of characters who were supremely learned, religious, and wealthy.
On Sunday, Rabbi Edelman accompanied his grandson Mendel Brickman to a nearby camp, where his great-grandson Isser was spending the summer. They arrived just in time for afternoon services.
The person leading the prayers was newly observant, and, unfamiliar with the service, made several mistakes. During the repetition of the Amidah, Mendel muttered a complaint to his grandfather. “Couldn’t they get someone more experienced?”
Rabbi Edelman did not respond. But after the prayers, the elderly rabbi walked over to the chazan and commended him on a beautiful job.
“When a small child says a new word or takes another step, the parents are excited and share the news with everyone,” he told his grandson later, “so too with G-d. When someone becomes observant as an adult, G-d is smiling, clapping, and encouraging him in each small step.”
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This is just one of many stories about Rabbi Dovid Edelman, that express his love for another Jew and how he had a unique way of always seeing the good in people.
The picture in this article was taken in honor of his upcoming 90th birthday. He had four “parties”. This one was specifically for supporters of the Lubavitcher Yeshiva. he is pictured with Michael Freedman, the son of a longtime supporter, Joseph Freedman ob”m.
This is another beautiful example of how Rabbi Dovid Edelman, ob”m, treated others. I have the honor of working at LYA and worked under Rabbi Edelman as a teacher for over 25 years. Rabbi Edelman would visit the classrooms and interact with the children at their level. Our school culture is one of kindness to all, based on the example set by Rabbi Edelman. There were times when students were sent to the office for disciplinary issues and had to sit in Rabbi Edelman’s office. He himself was not involved in those issues at the time, but he went out… Read more »
Many unzerer ffb make mistakes also and bochurim can’t pronounce properly many words…..
I worked under Rabbi David Edelman’s leadership and mentorship in Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy in Springfield Mass (which eventually moved to Longmeadow Mass.)
I too was inspired by his chessed with every Jew he encountered and the positive effect he thus had on so many individuals.
I cherish the memory of my 14 years working under him (leaving in 1974).
Rabbi Yeheskel Lebovic