NEWARK, NJ (VINnews)-The recent tragedy of the Bibas family has left a deep wound in the Jewish community. The loss of the mother and two young boys has brought immense sorrow, but it has also sparked an outpouring of support and remembrance.
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One poignant example of this is the story of Adam Benglas, a Seton Hall University School of Law student. Deeply moved by the family’s story, Adam reached out to a local Rabbi Avremel Minsky Co-director at Chabad Jewish Newark, seeking a prayer to offer in their memory.Rabbi Minsky, moved by Adam’s sincerity, suggested a unique way to honor the Bibas boys: putting on tefillin in their memory.
“These two little pure boys will never grow up to become bar mitzvah and put on tefillin,” the Rabbi explained. “How about you start putting on tefillin in their memory?”
This simple suggestion resonated deeply with Adam. He embraced the idea, but then something truly remarkable happened. Just minutes after the Rabbi spoke with Adam, another person reached out, offering to sponsor a pair of tefillin in memory of the Bibas family.
“Do you know someone who needs a pair?” the person asked.
Rabbi Minsky, overwhelmed by this act of generosity, was able to provide Adam with his own set of tefillin. Now, Adam and others are carrying on the legacy of the Bibas family through this meaningful act of faith.
This story embodies the resilience and compassion of the Jewish community. In the face of immense loss, they are finding ways to honor the memory of those lost and to bring light to the world. As Rabbi Avremel Minsky put it, “Although we were hit badly and hurt, we will outlive our enemies, as we have always done throughout history. Am Yisrael Chai!”
Amazing! I saw the story on LinkedIn written by the Rabbi it happened with, incredible stuff. Just wondering why this article doesn’t mention he’s from Chabad?
That was my Rabbi! Rabbi Avremi Minsky! Amazing guy!
The story happened with Rabbi Avraham Minsky of Chabad of Newark.
Rabbi Elazar said, “Whoever says something in the name of the person who originally said it brings redemption to the world.”
It’s interesting to me that as soon as someone dares to utter a single word against the narrative that all the hatred comes out. In our times it’s a mitzvah to me melamed zchus on every mechallel shabbos and chazir fresser but to pour out personal insults and hatred on anybody who stands up for Torah.
Overwhelming to see the tremendous outpouring of achdus, grief, and sadness at the funeral of the Bibas Family, in addition to the entire heartbreaking series of events that took place in Eretz Yisroel today, before and during the actual funeral proceedings. Just wondering….. no signs or sights there – of frum Yidden. What’s the meaning of that? Seems incredible that with so many thousands Israeli Jews so bitterly in mourning at this horrible tragedy that seems to be a tragedy of all of us – where are the heimisha who should have maybe been there, at least in minimal numbers?? Am I missing something?
The sentiment is beautiful. But mitzvos are supposed to be done for their own sake.