Rabbi Rubinstein Embodied Torah, Prayer, and Kindness
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Rabbi Ephraim Rubinstein, who died recently, is remembered for his devotion to Torah, prayer, and acts of kindness. The author, a personal acquaintance of 29 years, compares Rabbi Rubinstein's character to lessons from the weekly Torah portion of Noah. The rabbi exemplified loving others and caring for their needs, contrasting with the biblical figure Noah's self-centeredness. Rabbi Rubinstein's life demonstrated the importance of Torah study, devout prayer, and extensive acts of kindness, embodying the pillars of the world.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Ephraim Rubinstein is remembered for his devotion to Torah, prayer, and acts of kindness.
- The author draws parallels between Rabbi Rubinstein's life and the weekly Torah portion of Noah.
- Rabbi Rubinstein embodied the principle of loving humanity and caring for others' needs.
- He is contrasted with the biblical figure Noah, who is seen as self-centered.
- Rabbi Rubinstein exemplified Torah study, devout prayer, and extensive acts of kindness.
- His life embodied the three pillars of the world: Torah, service, and acts of kindness.
Rabbi Ephraim Rubinstein, who passed away recently, is remembered as a Torah scholar and prayerful individual who extended warmth and care to all, embodying the principle of loving humanity. The author, who knew Rabbi Rubinstein for 29 years, draws parallels between the rabbi's life and the weekly Torah portion, Noah. The portion, read in the month of Marheshvan when rain is prevalent, teaches about looking beyond one's personal needs to consider the needs of others, much like the rain is essential for the world despite its inconvenience to individuals. This contrasts with the biblical figure Noah, who is described as a "righteous man in his fur coat" for caring only for himself, unlike Abraham who prayed for others. The author suggests Noah's name, which can be rearranged to spell "chen" (grace), signifies the importance of being pleasant and gracious to others and to God. Rabbi Rubinstein exemplified this, radiating a unique love for everyone and demonstrating genuine concern for the needy. He was known for his diligence in Torah study, his devout prayer, and his extensive acts of kindness, including supporting a poor man for years and ensuring a pregnant woman had water during Yom Kippur. The author concludes that Rabbi Rubinstein embodied the three pillars of the world: Torah, service (prayer and observance), and acts of kindness, leaving a legacy of warmth and love.