Next week, on Cheshvan 25, 5776, it will be a year since the Har Nof Massacre took place. The memories of those righteous men who were brutally murdered are still fresh on our minds; we still ache from the pain.
Hearing the repeated recitation of kaddish from the orphans was a constant reminder about the massacre. Just two weeks ago they finished saying kaddish for their parents who died on Kiddush Hashem. This was a partial comfort for us.
But tonight, on the 12th of Cheshvan, almost a year later, a new cycle of kaddish will begin. Our wounds have been ripped open by the death of my beloved neighbor and dear friend, Rabbi Chaim Yechiel Rothman Hy’d.
Rabbi Chaim Yechiel Rothman sustained blows to the head with an axe during the massacre. Since then he had been in a coma-like state. Every day we pleaded to the Almighty to bring him back to us. On Friday night at dusk, just as Shabbos was entering, Chaim’s soul left this world and returned back to the Almighty.
A Kind Soul
Chaim’s mother, Mollie, shared with us that when he was six years old he was driving with his parents in a car and out of the window he noticed a young girl, about five years old, crying next to an overturned doll carriage. He asked his parents to stop the car. He got out and turned over the doll carriage to comfort this little girl.
Chaim grew up with two brothers and two sisters in Toronto, Canada. During his teenage years once a week he would visit a Jewish nursing home. Chaim would dance with the patients while they were in a wheelchair, and he succeeded to lift up the spirits of everyone he came in contact with.
Ten years ago Chaim’s son was tragically killed at the age of 17 after falling off a cliff while riding his bicycle through the Jerusalem Forest. Yet this great loss did not change the way he dealt with others. He maintained his cheerful countenance even in the midst of such a tragedy.
Chaim spoke to others in the happiest and gentlest tones. His voice emulated peace and loving kindness. Just being around him made one happy and feel love for other Jews.
Chaim’s funeral was on a Motzei Shabbos, Saturday night, a time which does not generally clash with people’s schedules. Furthermore, it was on the same night that we turned the clocks back, giving people an extra hour of sleep to make up for the late ending of the funeral. I could not help but think that even in his death Chaim was try to do everything he could to cause as little disturbance as possible to others.
Lover of Torah
It is not difficult to do big acts which put one in the limelight of the public spectrum. The true sign of a great person is how he performs small acts. I have been privileged to be Chaim’s close friend and neighbor for the past ten years and have personally witnessed many small acts of greatness.
Chaim loved and cherished Torah. Whenever we would meet he would ask me to tell him novel Torah teachings. He would listen with full intention, as if he was hearing the greatest insights.
For the past 23 years Chaim has been studying with a prominent Rosh Kollel in Jerusalem, Rabbi Baruch Tanzer who said that he never had a chevrusah, study partner like Chaim Rothman. Rav Tanzer continued to travel from Har Nof to Ranana to study with him, even after the massacre took place.
Our Sages teach that we should run to do mitzvot, “as if we are being pursued by a lion” (Berachot 6b). I do not believe that I have ever seen anyone fulfill this law with the exception of one person; Chaim Rothman who I have personally witnessed running to shul early with his tallis and tefillin.
His wife, Risa, has gone through unbelievable challenges during this past year not knowing if her husband was dead or alive. She has the support of the other four widows, her family and the entire community who stood and will continue to stand by her side.
Rabbi Yitzchak Mordechai Hakohen Rubin, the Rabbi of Kehilas Bnei Torah where the massacre took place, said, “If we had a thought that we would forget about our holy victims after 12 months, death once again peeks through the window. We cannot possibly forget what happened. The number of widows has gone up to five and the number of orphans is now 35."
Let us hope that mashiach will be here soon and bring a fulfillment to the promise, “Death will be destroyed forever, and tears will be wiped off of the faces of all.”
DONATIONS TO HAR NOF FAMILIES
ISRAEL
www.kupat.org
Israel: 1-800-39-47-47
Kupat Ha'Ir – Pob 49 – Bnei Brak
Fund #2159
USA: American Friends Of Kupat Hair
4415 14th Avenue Brooklyn NY 11219
1-888-587-2842
online: www.kupat.org/how-to-
NOTE: Har Nof Families – General Fund #2159
This week (Nov. 18) (and Shabbos 25 Cheshvan) is the 5 year anniversary of the Har Nof Massacre. Click here to donate to Kehilat Bnei Torah
(12) chava, November 30, 2015 6:53 PM
So very sad ---
Baruch Dayan Ha'emet. "Sad" isn't a strong enough word. How very difficult for the family, who had been praying and hoping all this time, and for everyone who knew him. It's good that people are helping all 5 of the families financially, and, I assume, emotionally. But I hope help is going also to the family of the Druze policeman who was killed trying to save lives.
(11) Devorah, November 22, 2015 5:43 PM
Rabbi Rothman
It is imperative that we never forget the life within each step this great one took in life and not so the evil of those who took life from them. The Great One would be almost inconsolable as all these saints were living life for the love of Torah. Those who robbed us of such precious life and goodwill not to forget the precious praise of the Great One who will miss the sound of their music and their goodness will be removed hopefully for good. My deepest condolences to Family friends and the Community that lost such greatness that we can hope to emulate.
(10) Anonymous, October 29, 2015 11:09 PM
Life Insurance
This is a terrible tragedy and we should try to help the bereaved families financially! His memory should be a blessing. Question: should men have such large families if they cannot afford life insurance?
(9) Sarah Vorchheimer, October 29, 2015 1:45 AM
Baruch Dayan HaEmes
בס"ד
I davvened for his recovery. It was not to be.
My his good deeds live as sweet memories for his widow and children.
HaMakom Y'nachem eskhem b'sokh sh'ar avlei Tzion vIrushalayim!
(8) michal selber, October 27, 2015 10:20 PM
Magnifcent Legacy
This article gives us all a glimpse into true greatness--the heights that can be achieved by those who truly live by the Torah. This is true nobility.
And because of this article Rabb Rothman's legacy can be seen by people all over the world. What an awesome merit.
May the family be comforted, knowing that they are all true nobility, knowing that we mourn their loss and pray for their welfare and joy.
(7) Shaindel, October 27, 2015 6:02 PM
Baruch Dayan HaEmes
I am so saddened to hear that Rabbi Rothman was niftar. I had been davening for him since around the time he was injured. I don't think I ever met him or his family but I and Klal Yisrael feel the pain of this loss. I hope his family will have a lot of strength and Siyata D'Shemayah to get through this time. I hope that Mashiach will come soon!
(6) Anonymous, October 27, 2015 3:58 PM
Hero
A hero, and a saint. God be with the people of Har Nof.
(5) Nicholas Hughes, October 27, 2015 3:16 PM
Remembering
All of our thoughts and prayers are with Israel!
(4) Barbara Rothman Strashun, October 27, 2015 2:46 PM
A true Tzaddik
Thank you so much for this beautiful tribute to my cousin Howie. Aunt Mollie's story captures Howie's spirit exactly. He was quiet and thoughtful and kind and would help anyone. He is now in Shomayim with all the other Tzaddikim. Our hearts are with his family. May we all only know happiness.
(3) Anonymous, October 27, 2015 2:42 PM
Boruch Dayan HaEmes.
It is so sad to hear that wonderful fathers, mothers, children continue to be murdered for only one reason, they were Yidden! Every Yiddishe Neshama is precious, and when a Marbetez Torah is ripped from our midst the pain is unbearable. Our Rav brought out an interesting point in his drusha this past Shabbos. The nazis, YM'S, were totally synchronized & effective in murdering our brothers & sisters, however they would not self sacrifice to kill a Yid. The Muslim on the ther hand has such a sinah that he will give up his life just to harm & murder Yidden. A point that seems to be lost the Israeli government & the rest of the world. The late PM Golda Meir summed it up eloquently years ago when questionwhen will there be peace between the Jews & Arabs. Her reply "when they love their children more than they hate us" we must always remember this in dealing with the Arab. May the families of all these Tzaddikim brutally murdered, find comfort in our Torah and may they be spared any further tzar. May they also know that all Klal Yisroel shares their pain and sorrow, and weeps and mourns with them.
(2) Anonymous, October 27, 2015 1:31 PM
Help his widow and orphans.
So powerful. Can this article include a link to an online website for donations to the family or families of those who were killed?
Shelly, October 27, 2015 3:45 PM
DONATIONS
Please see the end of the article. It lists some links for donations to the Har Nof families. Thank you for mentioning that and for reminding us all that we must help out those families who have not only lost a wage earner but who are now experiencing so many expenses. Of course, that in no way is meant to say it is the most important issue about the horrific attack. But it is the practical side of the situation and will allow people to perform a mitzvah.
Thank you.
(1) Avigayil, October 27, 2015 1:26 PM
a noble and lofty soul
Thank you for posting this tribute on behalf R' Rotman, hy"d. Like the four other tzadikim hy"d who were murdered that day, he was truly special in his service to G-d and in his relationships with others. May the Almighty comfort the bereaved family and may He hasten to bring the final redemption speedily, in our days.