Goodbye, Farewell and Amen to the Mustard Man

Everyone knows of the amazing finale of M*A*S*H. Hawkeye and BJ stand there, looking for the words to express how they each meant to each other. Hawkeye then climbs into the helicopter, takes off and see’s the “Goodbye” message BJ left him. I don’t think you can see that last scene and not get a bit choked up about it. I think it’s because we can all relate somehow to it. I think its the camaraderie and the way each character had to face a new direction in life, that we can all relate to.

Right now, I feel like I am in that sort of position. In a little more than 72 hours I will have to say goodbye to a very dear friend of mine, Chardal. On Sunday, he will be returning to Israel. The honest truth is, he belongs there. I have not met anyone else so devoted to Torah, the Jewish people and Israel as much as he is. But still, I am very sad he has to leave. He has become a mentor to me in Torah. He has taught me more than any rabbi that I have ever met. He has had an open ear, an open mind and an open heart to all that I have been through in my path to attain some sort of truth in Judaism. I don’t think I could have bared these last couple of years without him. Honestly, I am amazed he has been able to deal with all my ramblings and rehashing of the same arguments...but he did. He was always there for me. And now, he is leaving.

In the finale of M*A*S*H, it was all a matter of time. They knew the war was over and it was only a matter of time before they had to say goodbye to one another. You were able to see the emotions not only in the end, but during the whole show. I think the same is happening here with me. I know I will have to say goodbye, but I don’t want to. It’s too hard. Sometimes, you just wish things can stay as they are, but you know change is around the corner.

So before this post starts sounding cheesy :), I just want to say thank you to my friend Chardal. I won’t forget the friendship you showed me and I am sure you won’t forget the mood swings I showed you :). I will always remember the fun we had blasting some of the bloggers. And even though we did not finish the kuzari, I think you taught me some skills that I can proceed further on my own. And ofcourse, I have to thank you for introducing me to the works of Rav Kook. I wish you luck and happiness in Israel. Continue to be a light to those around you and who knows, maybe one day, we will be neighbors again.




Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael