From Omri
Talmon, Tel-Aviv, Israel:
Hearing about the passing away of Erral
was quite a shock: So sudden, so unpredictable, so untimely.
I should explain that though I am a
Jew, proud of my heritage and quite familiar with it, I am totally unreligious.
However, the Bible and other religious texts contain some universal messages as
well as passages which are relevant to many facets of our lives, though created
thousands of years ago.
My first thought was Bible related (Genesis 5:24): “And Enoch walked with
God: and he was not; for God took him.”
Erral could only have been taken by God.
Then I thought about an appropriate
condolence message to be sent to Glenn, and I could not come up with something
more appropriate than the Kaddish, the Jewish mourner prayer. Though this
prayer is recited following a death of a dear one (family member), there is no
reference in it, no word even, to death.
It is about the greatness and wisdom of God, and expresses the wish for
global and individual peace and peace of mind. This prayer is hence universal
in nature. Change the name “Israel” (meaning the people, not the State) into
whatever you like, and this prayer can be recited by any person, independent of
his or her religion.
So I sent the English version, and was ever
so surprised and pleased that the officiating reverend chose to recite the
Kaddish during the service. This also symbolized the bridge which can and
should exist between people and cultures.
Here is the English text:
“Glorified
and sanctified be God's great name throughout the world which He has created
according to His will. May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during
your days, and within the life of the entire House of
May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.
Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored, adored and
lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, beyond all the blessings and
hymns, praises and consolations that are ever spoken in the world; and say,
Amen.
May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us and for all
He who creates peace in His celestial heights, may He create peace for us and
for all