Editor’s Note: On Jan 15, 2004, Rabbi Eliezer Geldzahler z”l, a dynamic young rosh yeshiva, was in Israel, traveling to Tz’fat on a chartered bus with 60 of his rabbinical students when the driver fell asleep and crashed into a disabled army tank transporter jutting out into the road. Rabbi Geldzahler took the brunt of the impact because when he saw what was about to happen he jumped up and tried to direct the bus away from the inevitable crash. Many students were severely injured, including several who lingered in comas for some time before recovering. Scores of young men were saved by Rabbi Geldzahler’s heroic actions.
Ten months after the tragic bus accident that left our dear son-in-law in a coma, Rabbi Eliezer Geldzahler passed away on the ninth of Kislev. Notwithstanding the unprecedented volume of vigils, prayers, supplications, importuning and acts of charity, kindness and piety worldwide dedicated to his recovery, the response of the Master of the Universe, our Heavenly Parent, was “no.”
From the depth of our collective pain comes the inevitable question: Are we to understand that our prayers were in vain – that the never-ceasing recitals of Psalms of our devoted friends everywhere were for naught?
One of Reb Eliezer’s students related a parable of two fathers who enter a clothing store to purchase garments for their family. One is very specific about the requirements, i.e., style, size etc. The other moves through the store quickly, choosing one suit after another. When asked for an explanation about their different approaches, it came to light that the former had only one child to clothe and had to make sure that the suit was perfect for him. But the latter had a house full of children and figured that if a garment wasn’t quite right for one, it would undoubtedly fit another one of his children.
Similarly, the Almighty has many beloved children. For some unfathomable reason that only He knows, our prayers could not fit or work for Reb Eliezer in the way that we had hoped. But without a doubt, the massive, positive, spiritual energy released by our supplications will work for the many others who need them. And, hopefully, they will also provide strength for his wife, our daughter Baila, and their 13 beautiful children.
Most certainly these prayers will accompany Reb Eliezer to his eternal abode and be a merit for his soul. Our friends everywhere, who invested heart and soul in their prayers on our behalf, please be assured that we will always be grateful, and that your efforts were not wasted. They are a good fit for someone, somewhere, and certainly we and our world are better because of them.
The impact of the mere 46 years of Reb Eliezer’s life on so many is impossible to distill in words. Thousands came to the four different funeral sites, hearts heavy with personal grief, to pay tribute to a great man. The mother of one of his students spoke of her son’s love for him, remarking that her son had convinced her that he had been Reb Eliezer’s favorite student, until she later met scores of other mothers who had the same experience. They added that for these young men, the loss of a biological father could not have evoked a greater sense of loss. Reb Eliezer had molded and shaped them into menschen, with a positive self-esteem and self-worth.
Reb Eliezer was an imposing figure in his broad 6’2″ frame. Most notable, however, was the light that accompanied his presence – a light of joy and aliveness. Life to him was always beautiful, exciting and full of opportunities. Nothing ever dampened his spirit.