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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums"Joe Biden is a mensch. We need a mensch. "
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It was about 16 years ago, and I was a young rabbi, brand-new to Delaware, on my way to lead a shiva minyan a worship service following the death of a Jewish person.
I was from California. Back then, I didnt know Claymont, Delaware from Scranton, Pennsylvania.
A quick bit of background: When someone passes away in the Jewish faith, we observe seven days of mourning, called shiva. We gather a group of ten Jewish adults together a minyan to say the Mourners Kaddish.
It usually happens in a persons home somewhere intimate.
In this case, the deceased individual her name was Mrs. Greenhouse, of blessed memory had not been a person of means.
She had lived in rent-controlled senior housing in a tall high-rise building off of Namaans Road.
Her apartment had been too small to fit everyone into, so we conducted our worship service in the buildings communal laundry room, in the basement of the high-rise.
We assembled the ten elders together, and it was in this most humble of places that I began to lead the kaddish.
Toward the end of the service, a door at the back of the laundry room opened, and who walks in but Senator Joe Biden, his head lowered, all by himself.
I nearly dropped my prayer book in shock.
Senator Biden stood quietly in the back of the room for the duration of the service.
At the close of the kaddish, I walked over to him and asked the same question that must have been on everyone elses mind: Senator Biden what are you doing here?
And he said to me: Listen, back in 1972, when I first ran for Senate, Mrs. Greenhouse gave $18 to my first campaign. Because thats what she could afford. And every six years, when Id run for reelection, shed give another $18. She did it her whole life. Im here to show my respect and gratitude.
Now, the number 18 is significant in the Jewish faith its numbers spell out the Hebrew word chai, as in to life, to life, lchayim!
But its also a humble amount. Joe Biden knew that. And he respected that.
There were no news outlets at our service that day no Jewish reporters or important dignitaries.
Just a few elderly mourners in a basement laundry room.
Joe Biden didnt come to that service for political gain. He came to that service because he has character. He came to that service because hes a mensch.
And if we need anything right now when it comes to the leadership of our country we need a mensch.
I know this is such a simple, small story. But I tell it to as many people as will listen to me.
Because I think that, in their heart of hearts, when people are trying to think about the decision theyll make this year this is the kind of story that matters.
Joe Biden is a mensch. We need a mensch.
Thanks for reading. "
Rabbi Michael Beals of Delaware
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)Gothmog
(145,046 posts)Joe is a good person
crickets
(25,959 posts)50 Shades Of Blue
(9,954 posts)MyOwnPeace
(16,923 posts)BunkerBoy would have forgotten her quicker than dust. And he'd have NO idea what a laundry room is.
Wonderful story - bless you for sharing! Lchayim!
DeeDeeNY
(3,354 posts)PatSeg
(47,351 posts)as often as Joe does. I've read this touching story before, but it still makes me misty-eyed. Joe is a unique kind of special and the antithesis to what we have in the White House today. The contrast is almost biblical, something out of an old Hollywood film.
niyad
(113,205 posts)had been a supporter, and her donation amount. But, learning the significance of that specific amount mad it so much more poignant.
SpaceNeedle
(191 posts)Stuart G
(38,414 posts)someone is called that word, it is indeed very special. Kind of like calling someone, "the kindest, nicest, person around." Way above what is expected, kinda like the "very best" of people.
marybourg
(12,606 posts)is that its literal meaning is "man" or by extension "person". In other words " everything a person should be", " a model person".
iluvtennis
(19,843 posts)iluvtennis
(19,843 posts)gademocrat7
(10,649 posts)relayerbob
(6,543 posts)usaf-vet
(6,178 posts)Cha
(297,026 posts)demtenjeep
(31,997 posts)He is so fantastic!
I have loved him for a LONG time.
America needs to show him that love back!