Now He belongs to the Ages

The Yamim Tovim were most joyous, meaningful, and exhausting. (It’s ok to hold multiple feelings simultaneously). Shortly after Havdallah, I turned on my phone and, upon reading a headline, I was in complete shock. I read that Rabbi Moshe Hauer, the Executive VP of the Orthodox Union, passed away suddenly over Yom Tov. I couldn't move for about two hours. I hit the refresh button several times, hoping that the news was an error and would be erased. I was far from the only one who had this reaction. Upon hearing the news, I read about a person and texted Rabbi Hauer to make sure he was okay, hoping the news was wrong. In the several days since, I have been feeling heartbroken by this tragic passing. Rabbi Hauer was someone I looked up to as a role model, and he represented the very best Rabbinical leadership of our generation. He was unusual and unique in the very best way possible. Yes, he was a great Torah scholar, but there are others in that category. He was a champion of unity across a broad spectrum of Klal Yisroel, and there may be others in that category. He was a most outstanding spokesman and advocate for the Jewish Community, and others can claim that distinction as well. However, for all those qualities to converge and be the identity of one individual is exceedingly rare. I have yet to ever hear of someone who passed away for whom heartfelt eulogies were issued from the Chareidi leadership to the leaders of the most progressive circles in Judaism. He was the voice so many turned to when seeking guidance in a cruel upside-down world. Ever since October 7, he has communicated so many poignant messages steeped in empathy, love, and wisdom. Now that he is gone, I wonder where we will find a voice so comforting and healing, steeped in Torah values. On both a personal and professional level, I sought his direction several times, and my life was immeasurably enriched by those conversations. Over the last week, what I knew about him may have just been the tip of the iceberg. There have been countless others who felt so enriched by his wisdom and influenced by his leadership. ​ It may be an overused cliché, but in this case, I think the saying that he is irreplaceable may be true. We just read on Simchas Torah about his original namesake, Moshe, who passed away before he reached his promised land on earth. The nation mourned and was repeatedly told Chazak V’amatz. It was not easy to move on after Moshe passed into a better world, but it was required back then and remains no less required now. Great leaders who live with selfless devotion are a rarity, especially in our times. Our rabbis have paraphrased the loss of a giant in the words of our Prophet Amos as “the sun set during midday.” To paraphrase the words of Edwin Stanton when Lincoln passed away, “Now, he belongs to the ages.” Yehi Zichro Baruch. May his memory be for a blessing. Have a Peaceful Shabbos, Rabbi Yaakov Fisch