The Short Vort by Rabbi Eisenman

Today, I delivered a Hesped (eulogy) at a Levaya (funeral) where no direct family members were present.

On the other hand, everyone was deeply connected to the burial.

There was nothing personal said regarding the two Talis-draped Aronos, who sat side by side at the open grave.

No one ripped their garments, and no one will be sitting Shiva.

In fact, Kaddish will not be recited for the traditional eleven months after a burial, and no one will observe any of the Halachos or traditions of Aveilus (Jewish mourning).

Indeed, this was the first time in my life that I have ever delivered such a Hesped.

The reason for this was that the funeral was not for a human being.

Yet, what was buried today is, in many respects, as "alive" in its post-burial state as it was in its pre-burial state.

You see, today I eulogized the remains of two Sifrei Torah, which were burned in the fire that consumed Congregation Beth El in Rutherford on August 8.

About fifty men, women, and children showed up at New Mount Zion Cemetery in Lyndhurst, NJ, to pay our final respects and to mourn the loss of the Sifrei Torah.

Is there another group of people in the world who actually bury and conduct a funeral service for physical objects?

I don't know.

However, I do know that a Sefer Torah represents for us an "Eitz Chaim" - a living tree.

The Sefer Torah represents our life, our spirit, our sustenance, and the raison d'être for our existence in this world.

Without the Torah, we are nothing.

As Rav Saadia Gaon famously said over one thousand years ago, "The Jewish nation is a nation only by virtue of the Torah."

Congregation Beth El in Rutherford will rebuild.

If you are interested in helping them rebuild, you can donate here.

We must remember that as a people that shows such respect and veneration for a Torah Scroll that is burned, we must, to an even greater degree, show proper respect and Kavod to the teaching of the Torah.

With tears for the loss and with a hope for the future….