A Tribute to Naftali Rosenman, a”h

IN MEMORY

A Tribute to Naftali Rosenman, a”h

By A Friend

Afew words to remember our friend Naftali Rosenman (Ilan Naftali ben Noach Yosef), who passed away on the 25 of Nissan 5781. Although he had been suffering with an illness, his overall hopefulness that he would have a full refuah make his sudden return to our Creator so much more unexpected and sad.

Let’s unpack and examine some of the noble and good traits of this fine Jewish soul.

Naftali was more than anything a stellar lesson in humility. He was the humblest man I knew. His character was actually a veil of sorts over this powerhouse of fine character. The Mishna in Pirkei Avos 3:10 says that it’s evidently a big deal what Naftali was all about: “Kol she’ruach ha’briyos nochah heimenu, ruach HaMakom nochah heimenu – a person with whom men are pleased, G-d is pleased.”

Naftali was exceptionally concerned about even possibly offending others. Never being offensive or insulting, he was still always apologetic for any possibility that he may have offended someone.

A big part of Naftali’s avodas hakodesh was his absolute belief that davening works. He would ask people to daven for him. His connection to tefillah was most apparent in the huge efforts he expended in the later years when he pushed himself to walk to his shul, the Young Israel of Bayswater. It was a long walk, not easy. How many Shabbos mornings did I see him literally with his last strength drag himself back home, stopping to regain his strength every few paces, later with his cane and later on a walker, exhausted, but still going, and happy to be doing it? Most would not leave to shul in this condition. He did it on Shabbos morning and then did it all over again for Mincha. He was thinking about pushed himself for his portion of Torah. Hs yegiah, his striving for those moments of learning Torah, was very a real priority for him.

His priceless smile will be missed. He really loved people and is remembered as a person who did not to say a bad word about someone else. There’s an incredible true story how he handled himself when it came to speaking about others. Once, Naftali observed a friend being berated

His priceless smile will be missed.

shul attendance logistics days before Shabbos, and weeks before yom tov, he was concerned if he would be well enough to attend.

Naftali had made a set time to learn Torah with a neighbor. This was one of the many different ways he did his part to grow in learning. Rabbi Eliezer Feuer of the Young Israel of Bayswater, who eloquently led the funeral, relayed that Naftali attended his Sunday Gemara shiur for approximately 15 years with a tremendous attendance record. Naftali’s will and desire to learn the holy words of Torah was impressive. For example, there was a small shiur before Mincha given in a home which Naftali attended for years. He in the street by another individual. The situation diffused, and at a later time and place, Naftali managed to address it in his own way. He did not take a side, yet brilliantly said to his friend, “It hurts me to see someone talk to you like that.” He conveyed his loyalty and was kind – and all without knocking anyone. Never a bad word. What a sterling character! Naftali worked very hard for many years at a company in Manhattan. Sometimes, on erev Shabbosim, a company vehicle would be available to be taken home over the weekend. He was once asked why he didn’t use the vehicle for certain errands over the weekend. He was taken aback when asked the question, and he said that it wouldn’t be right. He was being so careful because the vehicle was for work purposes, and errands had never been discussed.

When he became ill, he was so concerned to take unemployment benefits for his illness and worked well beyond typical employee devotion – he literally had to be convinced that the employer was not going to suffer any unfair loss from his disability pay. Thus, Naftali truly fulfilled the directive in Bamidbar, 32:22 of “V’heyisem nekiim mei’Hashem u’mei’Yisrael – you shall be clean before Hashem and before Jews,” which is the Torah directive to be clean from any suspicion of improper monetary dealings. Naftali was an epic living demonstration of this mitzvah.

In retrospect, Naftali was a giant amongst men. Who lives like this today? May his life’s actions be an encouragement to those who knew him and those hearing about him. May he be an advocate upstairs for us all and specifically for his mourning wife Rahla, who with utmost devotion lovingly cared for him through an illness that brought many unique challenges. May Hashem ease her pain and provide comfort. In this difficult moment for all who knew and loved Naftali, it is our hope that Hashem dry our tears and soften this difficult moment. May He give his brothers and sisters a nechama for their loss.