Hearing personal memories of Rebbetzin Salomon
S o there I was in Lakewood on Shabbos Parshas Vayeitzei attending a family simchah. On Motzaei Shabbos I realized it was still within the week that the Lakewood Mashgiach HaRav Mattisyahu Salomon shlita was sitting shivah for his wife Rebbetzin Miriam Salomon a”h. Then I dithered about whether or not I should go to be menachem avel.
I have nothing so meaningful to say to the Mashgiach I reasoned to myself. And while there is much I could discuss with him none of it would constitute nichum aveilim. My presence alone therefore will add little to the large crowds surely there to be menachem avel. Finally since he is not feeling so well the Mashgiach may not even be there when I come.
Nevertheless since I was only a short car ride away from the Salomon home the scales in my mind tipped in favor of going.
Sure enough the Mashgiach wasn’t there when I arrived although the crowd of people being menachem the Salomon children was so large that his absence was not immediately apparent. Standing in the back I strained unsuccessfully to hear the hushed conversation. About ten minutes later those sitting in front got up and said “HaMakom.” I joined them and began to exit the large dining room. While facing the door as I was about to leave I heard a hush fall over the crowd. I turned and saw the Mashgiach entering from the far side of the room in a wheelchair. A line soon formed which I joined passing in front of the Mashgiach just to say “HaMakom.” As I was putting on my coat to leave for the second time I heard one of the Salomon sons take a microphone and announce that he had three reminiscences of his mother to share. So I stayed to hear what turned out to be brief but profound glimpses of the greatness of Rebbetzin Salomon a”h.
Create a free account to keep reading.
