My dad passed in March 1989. I became an Adult Bat Mitzvah in June 1989. From that day on, I wore his tallit (which I never knew he had since we never were members of a synagogue). It has become thread bare and sad over the years and it pained me to watch it disintegrate in front of my eyes, but I didn't know what to do - I always felt like his arms were wrapped around me when I wore it.
I was on the last Israel trip and when Mark announced this one, there was no doubt I would go. He then asked for volunteers to chant Torah at our first morning Shabbat service and there it was! I volunteered to chant Torah before I knew it! I would chant Torah in dad's Tallit and could then retire it, and I would purchase MY first tallit in Israel, knowing Mark would do a blessing at our last morning Shabbat service.
The snow almost foiled all my plans but I think I was being watched over and my plan was approved of. Three of us arrived @9 AM on Shabbat morning (our flight was canceled on Wed) and because it was Shabbat there was nobody at the airport. About an hour later we were at the hotel where Sherry met us and rushed us to the beach where 2 minutes later I was wearing my dad's tallit for the last time and chanting Torah through my tears.
Thank you, Mark and everyone involved for helping me complete my mission. I still get teary thinking about it and cried as I sat on my bed dismantling his tallit so I could keep the atarah and tzitzit and bury the remainder when the earth thaws. My sachet bag? As Barbara G. also mentioned, the first thing I put in mine was the first few words of my Torah portion and the last thing, was tzitzit from dad's tallit. I hope he is proud.
Bobi
Very touching, Bobi-- so glad you made it!
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