The Thing

“The man had ceased to be a human in their eyes. He had become a liability. A possible lawsuit”

As I entered Hershel’s hospital room, his grandson Laibel was there.

“Shalom aleichem, Hershel,” I said.

“Aleichem shalom, rabbi!” Hershel answered.

The nurse asked Hershel, “Would you like some water?”

Laibel quickly answered, “No, thanks. He’s fine.”

Something in me began to boil. It took great inner strength to hold myself from exploding as I gently asked Laibel if he could walk me to the waiting room.