Woman Continues Conversations With Fallen Son Through His Book
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
A woman shares her personal library, emphasizing a book written by her son, David, who fell in the Swords of Iron War. Titled "L'David Barchi Nafshi," the book allows her to feel connected to him and continue their conversations. She also discusses other influential books in her collection, including works by Gerald Durrell, Haim Be'er, Edmund de Waal, and S.Y. Agnon, reflecting her diverse literary tastes and personal reflections.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A woman maintains a connection with her son, David, who died in the Swords of Iron War, through his book of Torah thoughts.
- Her personal library, built over a lifetime, contains religious texts, research, fiction, and poetry, organized by subject.
- The book "L'David Barchi Nafshi" was published for her son's wedding and re-released after his death.
- She finds solace and continued dialogue with her son by reading his written words and ideas.
- Other significant books in her collection include works by Gerald Durrell, Haim Be'er, Edmund de Waal, and S.Y. Agnon.
A woman describes her extensive personal library, built over a lifetime and reflecting diverse interests from religious texts to fiction and poetry. Her collection began in childhood with gifts and inherited books, but she and her husband, Yair, acquired most of it over the years, leading to double shelves, a practice she had once vowed to avoid. The library is organized primarily by subject, including religious books, biblical research, poetry, fiction sorted by author, and thematic shelves like Holocaust literature. Practical considerations also dictate placement, with large dictionaries and encyclopedias near the Talmud, and small poetry books beside prayer books.
The most cherished book on her table is the Bible, which she reads daily. Beside it are works by her favorite authors and poets. However, the book she always keeps in front of her is "L'David Barchi Nafshi: Divrei Torah Al Sidrei Parashiyot Ha'Shavua" (To David, Bless My Soul: Words of Torah on the Weekly Torah Portion), written by her son, David. He began this project, inspired by his late father's custom of sending brief Shabbat thoughts to family. David completed the book while studying at the Har Etzion Hesder Yeshiva, and it was published as a designed volume for his wedding to Meital. Following his death in the Swords of Iron War, another edition was released. Through this book, she feels connected to David, engaging with his words and ideas, continuing their conversation and maintaining contact with his noble spirit.
She also highlights other significant books: Gerald Durrell's "My Family and Other Animals" for its blend of humor and love of nature; Haim Be'er's "Tiyum Kavvanot" (Intentions Alignment) for its unique Israeli-Jewish language and its resonance with current conflict; Edmund de Waal's "The Hare with Amber Eyes," a family history told through Japanese figurines, exploring themes of assimilation and antisemitism; and S.Y. Agnon's "The Fire and the Woods," which she returns to for its profound insight into the Jewish soul. The article also briefly mentions a segment on how the song "Golden Bird" was created, featuring singer-songwriter Aya Korem.