VIDEO: “He would have loved to be here with all of you and enjoy this Siyum of Avos Ubanim,” Reb Shabsi Raitzik, father of Eliyahu Eliezer Raitzik A”H told the crowd at last night’s Avos Ubanim awards event.
Perhaps the most heart-wrenching moment was when Reb Shabsi, who only got up from Shivah about a week ago, pulled out his son’s Avos Ubanim card.
“He definitely did enough weeks, I have his card right here,” said Reb Shabsi, pulling out the hole-punched Avos Uabnim card brought to each week’s Learning program. “He wanted to come every single week, including Motzei Shabbos Chanukah.”
Reb Shabsi spoke about the special Neshama Eli A”H had, explaining how the 9 year old would always ask him to learn another few minutes, and another few minutes, whenever the opportunity arose.
He quoted a Gemara which stated that the Learning of the Tinokes Shel Beis Rabbon is the Torah which gives Klal Yisroel the Zcusim they need.
Eliyahu Eliezer A”H, a Talmid at Bais Aharon, was tragically Niftar on Friday Erev Purim. As a Zchus, his father had one request for the children.
“One small request, if you don’t mind, to learn a Mishnah, one Mishnah, L’Illui Nishmas Eliyahu Eliezer ben R’ Shabsi Yaakov Yosef Halevi. It would be such a tremendous Z’chus for him,” said Reb Shabsi.
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Wow what a gibbur to be able to come to such an evant and give chizuk to other kids. May the family only have simchos and his child have an aliya.
For anyone that knows R’ Shabsai, It comes to no surprise. He is one of those unassuming people that lives for a higher cause. A TRUE Oved Hashem in every sense on the word.
Not sure if there were parents in the room, but if so…for future events please teach your children mentchlichkeit. When a speaker is speaking (especially such a speaker), there should be silence in the room. Derech eretz kadma l’Torah.
Nebach! Eli was such a nice kid. How was r’ shabsi able to come and speak especially in front of over 2,000 kids!!
His speech was truly an inspiration
My son came home , he’s 11, and the first thing he told me about was this speech . He was very moved.
It should be a zcus lilui nishmaso.
I’m crying…
Hashem, just look at your people
And yes, the kids talking did disturb me especially knowing that had I been there as a kid, I probably would have been talking as well…
Inspiring indeed! Such anivus, a move of an adam choshuv. May we all learn from him.