Holy Land Moments | International Fellowship of Christians and Jews

Holy Land Moments | International Fellowship of Christians and ften think about a letter that my grandfather, Rabbi Simon Eckstein, wrote to my father, expressing his joy that my father, his son, had carried on his teachings and legacy: “You were reared in a rabbi’s home, where, thank G-d, you were able to absorb Jewish traditional values about all aspects of life. In our frequent discussions, we always gave priority to the need to perform deeds of chesed — acts of charity, kindness, and thoughtfulness.

“Fondly, we remember how we sat around the dinner table on Shabbat and sang our favorite songs — songs that your mother and I learned from our parents. Even as children, your brother and sisters would help us as we distributed food to the needy during the High Holy Days and Passover.”

The Greatest Joy

Our verses from Proverbs teach us that “The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!”

The greatest joy that parents can experience from their children comes from seeing them continue in their footsteps, living by their values. But when these values were themselves inherited from the previous generation, the joy grows even more.

My grandfather was a community rabbi, a man who bestowed love and kindness on everyone he met. He taught his family the paramount importance of tzedakah — charity — and seeking out the needy to bring comfort to them before they even ask.