May 2004

Nat Murr z”l
by Rabbi Mordekai Shapiro 

Shortly before Pesach our congregation and community suffered the untimely loss of Nathan Murr.  As many of you know, Nat was a pillar of our synagogue.  As a long time member, he had served as an officer and board member for many years.  Nat was also a regular fixture in shul where he was often called upon to be the shaliach tzibbur, leading the services on Shabbat, Yom Tov or during the week.  For the past few years Nat also served as the Ba’al Shacharit on Yomim Noraim.  His tragic end came as was leaving shul one evening after saying kaddish for his beloved wife Sally, who passed away a few short months ago.  Our collective hearts are still broken as we share the grief with his daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren and friends.

It is taught in the Talmud that the death of the righteous must make an impact on the living.  We are obligated to consider the life led by righteous, sincere people so that we can emulate some characteristic that made them special.  This is the way in which we can insure the viability of the concept of eternal life.  Although we understand that souls are forever, there is a desire to manifest the concept of eternal life in a corporeal way that human beings can understand and appreciate.  This is accomplished by the adaptation of some aspect of their lives to our own.  Every person who dies leaves a void in the hearts and lives of those close to him.  It also leaves a world devoid of the mitzvoth that are no longer being done.  Every mitzvah that is performed by any individual is vital to the existence of the world and every mitzvah that is no longer performed leaves a vacuum.  That is why the Torah uses the strange word chalal, which means “hole,” when it refers to a body without a soul.  There is an emptiness that has occurred.   It is up to us, the living to rush in to fill that vacuum.  If someone was extra charitable, his demise causes a decrease in the charity that is given in this world and it is therefore our responsibility to help make up for that mitzvah of charity.  If someone studied or taught Torah, it is up to us to make up for the Torah that is no longer being studied or taught by that person. 

We all know how much effort and importance Nat placed on the mitzvah of davening with a minyan.  Weather, time, schedule were never a factor in determining Nat’s focus on being in shul, any shul, in order to daven with a minyan, especially when there was an added purpose to being there, such as a yahrzeit, or a kaddish.  There is no measuring the value of his prayer or the void left by its absence.  It is up to each and every one of us to try to fill that void and replace that prayer.  Many have asked me what they can do to remember Nat.  I dare say that the best legacy is to be inspired by his life and deeds.  Make his commitment your commitment.  Tell yourself that going to shul and davening with a minyan was important to Nat and it must be important to me as well.  The best way to remember someone is through awareness, commitment and devotion to purpose. 

May his memory be blessed.