A Special Birthday

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A Special Birthday

Harav Y. R. Rubin

For over thirty years, I have written my thoughts and my challenges. Life brings both highs and lows, and capturing them is never easy. Today, I turn 81 years old, and one can only imagine how much these eyes have seen and these ears have heard over such a span of time. One might think there is little left that could shake my inner being, and yet, here I am, struggling to put into words the events of these past few days. Please bear with me as I stumble through these heartfelt feelings.

Recently, I have faced a bout of ill health, and I am preparing for major shoulder replacement surgery. If that sounds frightening, trust me, it is. For now, I am confined to a sling, with pain shooting its arrows through every movement. This comes alongside the familiar weakening that age brings. I take a handful of pills daily and follow a diet without dairy or gluten. Hashem has given me the strength and clarity of mind to keep steady, and I continue to maintain my daily shiurim with pride.

I share all this to set the stage for an astonishing gift from the Eibishter.

Yesterday, the phone rang with long-awaited news. My great-granddaughter gave birth to a baby girl. My heart burst with joy—I am now a great-great-grandfather. Both mother and baby are well, and I am left almost speechless.

Hashem, I never imagined such a moment. In my generation, great-great-grandparents were not something we knew. And yet You have granted me this wondrous gift. My shoulder may feel its age, but my heart is alive with love and gratitude.

My daughter visited the tzion of the Rebbetzin A”H while her granddaughter was entering the hospital in New York. I cannot help but imagine how my Rebbetzin would have embraced this simcha, her eyes shining with tears of joy, her hands already busy preparing food for everyone in her special way.

Here in my small office, I sit at my keyboard. I lift my head and see her picture smiling down at me. I know she is dancing in the heavens at this moment. I send her my mazel tov, to her essence.

I know such occasions bless many families. But this birthday boy has been given so much, and now, this blessing crowns it all with the promise of generations to come.

Words often fall short of the fire of reality. Still, I hope my readers can taste even a drop of my overflowing gratitude to the Eibishter, and my hopes for the future.

Thank you for your patience in reading this kvitel of thanks. May you all be blessed with kol tuv sela, surrounded by gezunt and simchas.

The Little princess now has a name,She is now Chiya Sorah Rotenberg named after he Great Great Bubby, my Rebbetzin A’H May she grow into the strong vibrant loving neshomala her name sake was, and may she spread the brilliant light of Torah as the Rebbetzin did.