THE QUILT WE WEAVE | HARAV Y. REUVEN RUBIN SHLITA

Attachments

THE QUILT WE WEAVE

Harav Y. Reuven Rubin Shlita

For all those still stuck at home owing to quarantine guidelines, I offer a new hobby. One that I understand is becoming ever more popular and may prove useful filling up time with school less children.

“Quilting is the process of sewing two or more layers of fabric together to make a thicker padded material, usually to create a quilt or quilted garment. Typically, quilting is done with three layers: the top fabric or quilt top, batting or insulating material and backing material, but many different styles are adopted.

The process of quilting uses a needle and thread to join two or more layers of material to make a quilt. The quilter’s hand or sewing machine passes the needle and thread through all layers and then brings the needle back up. The process is repeated across the entire area where quilting is wanted. Rocking, straight or running stitches are commonly used with these stitches being functional and/or decorative.”

Now, quilts are very popular, not merely for their warmth, but for the rustic beauty of their individual design.

Before you place all this in the ‘useless information’ file, allow me to draw your attention to a remarkable example of real-time quilting that comes to mind.

Each member of every family are part of a ’quilt’ that is being created with each day we are blessed with. We bond together with moments of shared experiences that are unique to who we are. The threads that draw all this closer are created by our shared devotion to our goals. The quilt we each create has its own uniqueness, and what to one family may seem surprising is another’s mainstay.

I thought about this today whilst reminiscing with my daughter about some of the threads that created the quilt that is our family. The Rebbetzin Chaiky A’H was very intense yet always open to others. One of her foibles was that she was constantly worried that I would talk too much, especially with strangers. (I know, no one could ever believe that about me) Whenever we got into a taxi cab I would automatically start a conversation with the driver. I have always been fascinated in the experiences of others and how they see the world. The Rebbetzin would give me that ‘Chaiky look,’ you know the one, the ‘don’t start up’ one. Of course within a few moments she would pitch in and end up not only taking over the direction the talk was going, but learning the whole life story of the driver. This was vintage Rebbetzin, shy, afraid I would somehow be hurt, and then opening up and sharing in a perfect strangers pain.

The quilt that was our family comfort zone was created by so many thousands of strands that were individual moments of sweet giving. Others would never understand, but such is the uniqueness of each of family. We all create our own quilt, no two have the same stitching, yet they each have their own glory.

Parshas Nasso tells us how each tribal leader bought a unique sacrifice during the inauguration of the Mishkan. Twelve tribes, twelve gifts, and yet, each was the same. Why not just say, this is the gift all the tribes bought, why list each one individually when they were in fact all the same?

Tzaddikim tell us that each gift was in fact individual, uniquely carrying the taste and panache of the donating tribe.

This is the same today. On the surface we may all seem the same, but in truth each family unit has its own pattern. The challenge is to allow all our talents to blend into a quilt of Kiddush Hashem that brings light into what can often be a dusky world.

As one who has lost the main artist of my family’s quilt, I hold on tightly to those threads that made us who we were. I write these words at a time where so many of our brethren are now experiencing the ache of loss that runs deeper and is beyond any comparison. I just want to share with you that the pain is the cost of having created a quilt of Torah glory. The sadness will flutter up at the strangest of moments, and yes, tears will be spilt. However, never forget that this is the result of the lovely warm cover we created with those who have been taken so suddenly from this realm. Our community is blessed because through the Torah and our connection with the Eibishter, we have been blessed in weaving these lovely quilts that are our flags for future generations. No lockdown can tear asunder that which has been woven with devotion for one another.

Yes, this present situation will change so very much in so many ways, and there is no way to measure where this is taking us. One thing is certain, it is what Kaveuchal The Eibishter has given and therefore His Rotzon is for us to work our way through the challenges.

There is nothing that could have prepared us for this havoc, yet, in truth we have been prepared for a long time. We have lived and created threads of Torah beauty, a tapestry worthy of future admiration. Our children will look through the pictures, and sigh in wonder. The quilt of the Coronavirus will be somber, yet flecked with the illumination of our devotion for one another, and our bond with Hashem. Those who shared our lives are part of our future, and we all must keep their trust. May we share in simchos and soon share the sunlight of Yerusholayim, soon and in our days, Amen!