The Weekly Shtikle - Behar / Bechukosai

The Weekly Shtikle is dedicated le'iluy nishmas my Opa, Tovia Yehudah ben Yoel, a'h.
This week's shtikle is dedicated le'iluy nishmas my mother, Tzirel Nechama bas Tovia Yehudah, a"h, whose yahrtzeit is this coming Sunday.

    This week's shtikle also comes with some unfortunate news. Lady Amélie Jakobovits, the wife of former Chief Rabbi Lord Immanuel Jakobovits, z"l. and my great aunt, was nifteres today in England at the age of 81. She was also the daughter of R' Eliyahu Munk, the well-known author. I am not sure I am able to find the words to adequately describe what an amazing woman she was. She was respected and revered not only at home in England but all over the world. I saw this for myself when she would visit Baltimore and the rabbanim of the Yeshivah would come to greet her. Certainly, being the wife of the Chief Rabbi demanded respect of its own. But she earned her own respect as well. I am reminded of something the Rosh HaYeshivah in Ottawa, R' Eliezer Ben-Porat, shlit"a, would often say: "I am a rabbi because my wife is a rebbetzin." I would say the same was true to some extent in the case of my great aunt and uncle. They were a team. Together, they served as the leaders of the British Jewish Community for so many years and after Lord Immanuel's passing, Lady Amélie carried the torch of his legacy.

    My great aunt would travel far and wide to attend family semachos all around the globe. And there was always a noticeable difference in the atmosphere when she was in attendance. I don't think I have ever met a funnier woman in my life. I would always make an extra effort to attend family affairs when she was there for the sheer entertainment value. She could put a smile on anyone's face. That was one of her many specialties. She was well known for delivering challos for Shabbos to anyone in the community who was in need for one reason or another.

    At the end of this week's parshios, we discuss arachin, a unique form of donation whereby a monetary value is assigned to a person based on their gender and age. But while our designated monetary value may vary, the true value of each and every Jew is equally immeasurable. Lady Amélie lived by that very idea. She was a very opinionated woman, yet she had nothing but the utmost respect for each and every member of Klal Yisroel. She will be sorely missed by her family, by the British Jewish Community and Klal Yisroel at large. Yehi zichrah baruch.

    I am not sure as to the exact sheim neshamah. I believe it is Malia bas Eliyahu.

Have a good Shabbos. May we hear only of semachos!

Eliezer Bulka
WeeklyShtikle@weeklyshtikle.com

Shtikle Blog Weekly Roundup:
Al Pi Cheshbon: Ironic Observation
AstroTorah: Determining the Identity of the Unicorn by R' Ari Storch

Pertaining to last week:
Dikdukian: Ner Tamid
AstroTorah: Blasphemous Bread of Permanence by R' Ari Storch

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