Leiby Kletzky's Final Gift

by Rabbi Yaakov Salomon

United by tragedy.

Published: July 14, 2011
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Visitor Comments: 26

(24) ben silver, August 2, 2011 8:11 AM

I want to do something positive

I'm a man of little material means, but I've got time and energy. What can I do in my little neck of the woods to make the world more positive?

(23) Miriam, July 25, 2011 12:45 PM

Thank you Rabbi Salomon

for telling the true story.

(22) Anonymous, July 21, 2011 9:32 AM

To Ron Katz - Hook up with the Atlanta Scholars Kollel in Toco Hills. It is an amazing group of Rabbi's who care about their fellows Jews regardless of affiliation and have a great learning program for all levels.

(21) Daniel Rotenberg, July 20, 2011 9:10 PM

Kletzky Tragedy

I do not know the family nor live in New York, but once finding out what happened to young Leiby I was just heart broken. What I was impressed with is how the entire community jews and non jews got involved helping how ever they could... Hashem's reasons for tragedy's that happen aren't always known right away, but I think people have disconnected with one another. Last week when Leiby went missing the community came together and I hope we'll be nicer to one another for some time... May we merit seeing the coming of moshiach soon.

(20) Anonymous, July 19, 2011 4:50 PM

Can you even get eye contact when walking thru Brooklyn?

Thats when caring about ones fellow man means most. Will this one detail change as a result of this tragety?

Elisheva, July 21, 2011 2:15 PM

huh?

Why is eye contact the most meaningful way of demonstrating caring about one's fellow man? I respectfully disagree. There are many more meaningful ways to care about each other. I care about people I've never met who live 6000 miles away, and I do what I can to help them, but eye contact is a petty measurement of caring. Being thoughtful of others, e.x. not honking at them and yelling nasty things as they are trying to park on a narrow street, but trying to help direct them-- that is a way to show caring. Eye contact??

(19) Howie Subnick, July 19, 2011 2:27 PM

Never Again.....

There are times when we read of an atrocity such as this and wonder why. Who could do this to anyone no matter what the age. The void it leaves with the parents, relatives and friends will never be filled. It will be delt with by each individual in their own way. I am one that believes in an eye for an eye. Does this solve what has occured? Not at all. But it gives me some satisfaction that it will not occure again by that same individual, depraved or not. Let the world know there is no room for this type of person on the face of the earth. To those who knew this child, his friends, his aquaintences, his relatives and most of all, his parents, G-D BLESS YOU ALL. May he rest in devine peace.

(18) Yael Attal Gusi, July 19, 2011 1:39 PM

Thank you from Israel

Thank you for your words Rabbi Salomon. Everyone here in Israel is shocked by this tragedy. Unfortunately, we "know" what it means to suffer from a slaughter of children. Lately the Fogel's family has been destroyed by terrorists, our ennemies, happy to have killed innocent jews. G-od help the Kletsky family to continue their lives in happyness and no more sadness will reach them anymore. May G-od bless all the Jewish People here in Israel, in the US and all over the world. Yael Attal Gusi Jerusalem, Israel

(17) ron katz, July 19, 2011 1:31 PM

yasha koach

Love to have you as our rabbi. Help me find a Kabbalah group in Atlanta, Ga. Unable to hook up with a center to study with. B Shalom.

(16) The Deutsch's, July 18, 2011 9:00 PM

Our neshama candle is still burning for Leiby

We are over 6,000 miles from Boro Park, but our hearts and minds are very close to the Kletsky Family. On the day of Leiby's levaya we lit a 7-day candle and even though we cannot be there in person, we are there with the Kletsky Family in heart and in spirit. May we find some solace in knowing that H'Shem is our ultimate judge and even though it is most difficult at times to accept it, all He does is for the good. We, who never knew the beautiful neshama of Leiby Kletsky, will miss him and pray for his parents, grandparents, sisters and his entire family and friends. We are all ONE FAMILY no matter how far we are in distance; we are close in heart.

RAI, July 19, 2011 7:42 PM

Well said

Thank you for putting it so nicely into words...

(15) smb, July 18, 2011 6:33 PM

may we Jews keep our unity and come together in pleasent ways

(14) elier, July 17, 2011 10:45 PM

but it needs to stay like that. achdut. do we always have achdut?

(13) Chayah, July 17, 2011 9:38 PM

Rochmunos

That's how our people are...we are one family..and in that spirit we must not forget about the parents of this poor child....I can say, as a woman who has had a beloved child die, that the parents must go on with their lives without that sweet little boy and it's not so easy....today is the English date of my precious daughter's passing (23 years) and every time I hear of another child dying, I think of the parents and mourn with them.Hamakom Yinachem.....strength and comfort....

(12) Michael Hamilton, July 17, 2011 9:14 PM

A thank you.

Thank you for uour comments Rabbi Yaakov Salomon.

(11) Ted, July 17, 2011 8:28 PM

Where was G-d?

I think that the Rabbi answered that perfectly....Hashem has given us the greatest gift of all -- 'free-will'. So let's give thanks to the response of so many good men and woman...and that is where we can see the grace of G-d and not in the heinous actions of a one man...

(10) Anonymous, July 17, 2011 7:46 PM

Another light unto the nation...

Unfortunately, just to think about the horror felt by Leiby when he realized that he was in the hands of a beast he had trusted for a ride, no one would ever be able to explain that. Life appeared to have played irony at its best, resulting in the death of an angel...his first walk at independence. In what way can we, and Leiby's parents deal with this tragic and profound painful experience without even dearing to question, how the Oneness of God allowed this abhorrent crime to happen. We will never have an answer. May Leiby's soul through the Oneness of G-d, becomes an everlasting light and deepening love in all the Levi Aron out there to prevent them from committing similar crimes, just the same way as Leiby's death united so many people from all walks of life independently of what faith or religions they were. We are all crying with the Kletzky family. Thanks Rabbi Yaakov for recognizing the people's effort and hasty response to find Leiby. We will continue to keep Leiby and his family in our prayers.

(9) Roz, July 17, 2011 1:15 PM

Wake Up Call to Address Mental Health Issues!

Rabbi: Excellent piece. I would respectfully add that I was surprised that you did not address the person who committed the crime. Many people in the frum community are afraid to recognize and pursue obtaining assistance with mental health issues. Perhaps if this person had received help early on, this event may have been avoided. Let's work toward eradicating the stigma of mental health issues. People are afraid it will impede a shidduch. But after a marriage, there is only heartache for the spouse and children of a person with mental illness. Let's not deprive those who need assistance. Depression and other mental health conditions need not be a life long sentence. C'mon, people. Let's do the right thing.

(8) Anonymous, July 15, 2011 10:52 PM

Bless this boy.

I am also proud of our Jewish people. However, they are not the only ones who are sad, I have friends of every religion, every one of them cried just the way I did,

(7) Alex Burford, July 15, 2011 6:55 PM

Unconquerable Shock, Horror and Greif

I STILL can't believe that this has happened. For me, the answer to the question, "Why?" will NEVER be answered. After being an Uncle to three Nieces and one Nephew and a Grand Nephew, I know something about how a Parent feels about their Children and I feel deep Pain and Anguish about Leiby's Death that can't be spoken, only felt. I thought such Horror was part of the past with the Nazi Monsters, but something has gone horribly wrong with the world since the Apocalypse War and we see it with what has happened to Leiby. I Hope and Pray that His Soul is in God's Tender Loving Care and that Punishment be meted out to his Killer. There is no Forgiveness for this, at least not to me, but there must be Justice. Shalom, L'Chaim Israel.

(6) MEME, July 15, 2011 3:53 PM

I have been obsessing about this since the moment i found out about Lieby. Each night I wake up from a nightmare where I am trying to get to Lieby before the monster and then I see that if i take him there are more and more countless victims. I watch him go like a sacrificial lamb, crying out Lieby don't don't don't." And then I wake up and it's all over the news and internet and i cry again. Dear Lieby, I am sorry we couldn't save you! But you will always be in our prayers. You have connected us.

(5) Anonymous, July 15, 2011 12:56 PM

achdus

a comfort, somewhat. also, our response was a kiddush Hashem. on another note, in Thurday"s New York Times there is an article about a man with prosthetic legs who has competed in the Paraolympics and aspired to compete in the Olympics. He is a model now for various products. It is an inspiration to see what the can do , despite his handicaps. We are all capable of so much.

(4) JACK REINHARDT SMITH, July 15, 2011 4:46 AM

LEIBY

I AM SO PROUD ALSO RABBI. THANK YOU MY FRIEND

(3) Naomi, July 14, 2011 8:27 PM

Thank you

Thank you Salomon for putting a glimmer of light on an unspeakable tragedy.

(2) Malka, July 14, 2011 8:17 PM

I am proud of the Jewish people too. Leiby is in a better place right noe close to hashem. Please G-d bring Moshiach soon so all the Jewish people will unite through smachot and serving hashem and that finally we will be reunited with Leiby.

(1) sara, July 14, 2011 3:36 PM

I always daven that my family should be able to grow & serve Hashem through SIMCHOS! Rather get together to marry off a poor bride than something like this.

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About the Author

Rabbi Yaakov Salomon

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Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, C.S.W. is a noted psychotherapist, in private practice in Brooklyn, N.Y. for over 25 years. He is a Senior Lecturer and the Creative Director of Aish Hatorah's Discovery Productions. He is also an editor and author for the Artscroll Publishing Series and a member of the Kollel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath.

Rabbi Salomon is co-author, with Rabbi Noah Weinberg, of the best selling book "What the Angel Taught You; Seven Keys to Life Fulfillment," (Mesorah), and is also the co-producer of the highly-acclaimed film, "Inspired."

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