Today I woke up, triggered by learning of the death of Michaela Levit, z”l. Today I woke up. Today Michaela Levit, a passionate young american woman from South Florida will not wake up today. Today she is being buried six feet under the ground as two days ago she died at the age of 20. Michaela’s death will not be in vain, though. She is being remembered as a lone soldier whose heroism and passion for our holy land led her to volunteer for the Israel Defense Forces, the IDF. Lone soldiers are supported in a unique program by the state of Israel helping them to assimilate and they have strengthened worldwide ties to Israel. Michaela enlisted in this meaningful service.
From Michaela’s Instagram page, she quotes Wayne Gretzky: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”. Clearly Michaela took a shot and did not miss the mark, however this shot cost her the privilege to wake up, and what would have been, a promising future. Michaela deserves a very high honor for declaring her mission to protect our holy land and losing her life as a result. Clearly no parent, myself included, can ever be prepared for the death of a child and the grief and mourning in the aftermath of death goes beyond being very intense. I actually took a shot and became a rabbi to speak to the tenderness of hearts broken open. I took that shot on May 14th, 2009, and celebrated my 10 year anniversary of doing so one day before Michaela passed away. On May 14thI pondered how best to use my tenth year and today I grieve for the sacrifice so many have made for our holyland.
Michaela’s life reminds us of the very core of jewish existence. She trusted her heart and did what she needed to do to fulfill it. My sincere sympathies go out to her family, friends and all people who have risked and lost their lives for our holyland. Can you take a shot at something today in her honor? I will go to her funeral today and vow to bring her memory alive as well as bring forth a dialogue about preparing for death while we are alive. In her name, let us all take a shot at something that teaches us to be more sensitive to the vulnerability of a grieving parent and family member. In her name, perhaps you can look at your child and also, let them follow their own star, let their destiny unfold and stop getting in their way with your agenda. Let them take a shot, even if it’s in the range, although most preferably with a responsible gun owner.
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Maimonides
Although I don’t know Michaela’s parents, I’d hope for them that they encouraged her to follow her own star. Michaela has a very high neshama (soul) and is a bright star that shines very bright in the high heavens. Rest in Peace, Michaela. Baruch Dayan HaEmet, God is the truest judge. I have been, yet again, today, broken open from the deepest place in my heart for where we are at today. How long will it be before peace prevails?
Melinda offers funeral services, please call her at 954-901-1355 to discuss.
Photo Credit: Michaela Levit via Instagram, where she writes….
Pondering the greatest question of all time. עד מתי which means how long?
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