Baruch Dayan Emet
July 14th, 2008 by LeoraBaruch Dayan Emet (blessed is the true judge): this is the phrase we observant Jews are supposed to say when we hear someone has passed away. The truth is, I often think of it afterwards. I am usually rather shocked when I hear the news, even if it is someone who has been sick for a long time.
This afternoon I learned that Rabbi Levi Meier died after a long battle with cancer. The family is sitting shiva in California.
When studying the Book of Ruth, I wrote about Rabbi Levi Meier’s book, Second Chances: Transforming Bitterness Into Hope. He was the author of other books, including one that I own, Ancient Secrets: Using the Stories of the Bible to Improve Our Everyday Lives. In that book he talks about his work as a hospital chaplain and his experiences counseling people with terminal illness.
I only met Rabbi Levi Meier a few times, briefly, but I knew his mother, z”l, may her memory be a blessing, well. She made the best homemade gefilte fish I have ever tasted.
The news left me speechless for a little while. I am sorry to read this. He seemed a kind man.
May his memory live on thanks to his books.
Ilana-Davita, I am so glad you got to know him through his books. I actually heard he went to into hospice when we were studying his book back in May. It took a little while to collect myself, but then I poured into writing about his book, without revealing about his illness.