obituary
Jay Litvin (1944-2004) |
Jay was so much more than a contributing writer at Chabad.org. He was a leader who blazed new pathways, taking us to places no one had dared or even imagined visiting before.
88 Comments Posted
I am saddened by the news of Jay's passing. His articles and essays have touched us so many times over. We will miss you.
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My first introduction to Jay Litvin was when I read his "Priorities." He wrote about himself... but he also wrote about me ( though I don't have cancer ), and I believe that countless people must have seen themselves mirrored, in some way and degree, in his writing.
He's become one of my teachers.
Thank you, Jay.
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I was truly saddened to read about Jay's passing. As the dorm counselor of the first group of Chernobyl girls that were brought to Israel by Tzach, I had the privilege of knowing Jay. His dedication and sincere interest in the welfare of the children was remarkable.
Together with the rest of the Children of Chernobyl faculty, Jay made sure the proper medical treatment was given to the children as well as all their other needs. When I saw articles by Jay on Chabad.org and in the farbrengen magazine, a smile came to my face. "I know the author," I thought to myself as all the pleasant memories of working with the Children of Chernobyl flashed before me.
May Jay go in front of our father in heaven with all the good he has done in this world, with all the Neshamos that he helped save and demand the final and complete redemption so we could once again be reunited with the Rebbe and all our loved ones. May Hashem comfort you amongst the mourners of Zion and Yerushalaim
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I don't know anything about this man other than the articles you've posted and the obit, but I seem to feel a real connection to things as a result, to him, to g-d, to the universe, to myself. I look forward to further readings and wish the best to his family.
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I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jay Litvin. Although I never had the opportunity to meet him, I feel as though Jay has been a special part of my life. Since discovering Chabad.org, I have spent many hours reading Jay's stories and relating them to my life. I know that if he has impacted me through only words, his true impact on his friends and family must be amazingly awe inspiring. I pray that his family find comfort from Hashem during this time and that his soul make a full aliyah.
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I am very saddened by Jay's untimely and tragic passing.
What I loved about Jay's writing, and what I think touched all of us was his stark truthfulness--his ability to openly and frankly stare his strengths and weaknesses in the eye, and teach us how to overcome our own in the process.
It takes a great person to boldly confront their innermost fears and insecurities and learn from them. Jay showed us this intimate part of himself, and through his writings, showed us and taught us how to do so in our own lives.
May G-d comfort his wife, children, sisters, family, friends and worldwide fans and students among all the mourners of Zion. And may the inspiration he gave to so many in his life, be the final touches needed to usher in the ultimate Redemption.
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Our hearts go out to Jay's family.
We had the honor & pleasure to work together with Jay for Victiims Of Terror in Israel, it was one of MANY causes Jay has worked for on behalf of Klal Yisrael.
Luckily & thank G-D, I had the chance to meet Jay in person this past January; if it's possible, he was nicer in person than I imagined.
Jay, despite the long distance between us, you ALWAYS made us feel as comfortable as though you were sitting next to us.
We will miss you.
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I was deeply saddened to hear of Jay's passing.
I have had the privilege to work with Jay over the past two years in his efforts to help Israeli terror victims through the Chabad Terror Victims Project. Jay worked tirelessly on behalf of these families, often calling or sending messages from his hospital bed or from home when he was supposed to be resting. His thoughts were never of his own troubles but rather with those he anxiously wanted to provide tangible, emotional and spiritual help.
I will miss him.
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I have known Jay for more than two decades.
When I read of his passing my mind played back the lyrics of an old melody from James Taylor:
"Oh, I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you again"
Jay was there for me in the first year of marriage, when there is so much adjusting to do, and Jay always found the beauty in the challenges. He always found a way to bring out the humor and bring me to a place of appreciation for all of our gifts. Jay taught me to appreciate Divine Providence and know that G-d is always good and there is no place for bitterness and anger.
This golus is made more difficult without you Jay. I am comforted by the knowledge that it will only be a short while before we are reunited with the imminent coming of Moshiach.
Until then dearest friend,
I will do all that I can do
With Acts of Goodness and Kindness
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Jay you had the courage many did not; many in your position would become more depressed, and cease writing. You had the foresight and fortune to help many including me, to encourage and to continue through hard times. we have become part of you family and we will greatly miss you!
Jay, from your extended family here on earth, you will always be with us with your written words.
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I want to express my respect and love for Jay Litvin to his family, his friends, and to every person who knew him personally or the way that I did, through his amazing articles on Chabad.org.
I have also been very sick in my lifetime. Jay's article "The Life I Have" - is how I came to know and love him. This is how I came to think of him as a brother, a friend - someone who was enduring what I endure and trying to to do it with courage fueled by Jewish knowledge.
And, having been very sick I also know this - that he was at peace, and that his death was not frightening to him like it would be to someone without his experience, knowledge, compassion and depth.
The mourning is for us. For Jay, it is all glory.
May his name live forever.
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I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Jay, his writings were always an inspiration to me, a convert of five years. I would like to extend my condolences to his family and friends, I cannot even imagine the great loss you feel, having had him in your life, as blessed as you were.
There was never any self-pity contained in anything he wrote, but much wisdom, and comfort for the rest of us.
He will be sorely missed.
May the memories you hold within your heart comfort you at this most difficult time.
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I was surprised to learn of the passing of Jay. Whenever I read one of his articles it made you feel like you could relate with the subject matter. My favorite story was the one about the ruler. We pray for the family and ask Hashem to comfort them as only he is able to do. We will miss him and his many words of wisdom.
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I became Jewish with Jay's help.
Bringing a secular, non-Jewish life into submission to Torah and Chassidus -- really doing it -- is not easy. As wonderful as it is, it is unendingly painful. To leave the life I had as a woman in the world, and fully embrace and rejoice in the life of a Lubavitch woman is very, very difficult. It led me to question G-d's goodness, and filled me with tremendous internal conflict which led to night after night of tears and crying from the depths of my soul. Eventually it led to a period of depression. Because I could not dismiss Torah as false, or G-d as evil.
While I was going through this, Jay was struggling with his illness, in the face of a G-d who controls all things. He was asking all the same questions that I was asking. Is G-d good? How can this be? Does He love me? Does He even notice me? Doesn't He want me to pursue Him, doesn't He want my life to be for Him and His work?
Jay got through it. He helped me get through it too. His articles and sometimes emails helped me understand this experience, this pain, this yearning. I learned, I understood, G-d showed His countenance to me. It all made sense, and my heart was filled with joy. I saw how beautiful it all really is. And this happened with Jay as well.
We both won.
So why did he die?
This isn't right and it's not fair and it's not supposed to be this way. All he wanted was to be a husband, a father, a teacher, a servant. Why would G-d end that? He did it right, he was ready to do more. This is the ultimate in injustice.
I'm sitting here with my face covered in tears and snot. Right or wrong -- I blame G-d.
Shabbos is coming soon, and we will all be responsible for a gazillion laws that we have learned to keep. Every little aspect of Shabbos is of ultimate importance to us, because we love G-d, His Torah, and His Shabbos. We keep Shabbos with joy and don't even realize that it's "a lot". Our hearts are where they should be.
So if we do this, why can't G-d keep His own Torah, and heal Jay? He's better than we are, right? Well, if I could have, I would have healed Jay. Any stranger on the street would. G-d listened to every prayer we all prayed, He saw all our mitzvos, right? He keeps His promises, right?
I want an answer. It's overdue.
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The world has lost a fine person indeed with Jay's passing. I welcomed his writings into my home, because of the profound humanity in them.
He showed us true human courage and struggle with life and with his disease. May Hashem grant him peace. And may Hashem grant comfort to his family during this time.
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I don't know if Jay needed more words of encouragement and appreciation. But I know that since first reading an article by Jay Litvin little more than a year ago (and that happened to be "Spiritual Warrior") I always wanted to express my gratitude and affinity that I felt for his writing. I never expected to be saddened this much by the passing of someone whom I never met. Even a picture of him I saw today for the first time. His writings, though, tell so much about his personality. I feel as if I have known and loved Jay for years. But it is never too late. Thank you, Jay. Your writings will continue to make a difference in my life, in the lives of my friends, and so many people around the globe.
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To Jay zt"l:
Please do not forget your purpose in life -and beyond.
Do not let the beauty of gan-eden make you forget about all of us down here, who still need be inspired by the wonderful work you left behind. Daven that your readers should have the correct reaction and continue to be inspired by your articles.
And most important, ask/demand you be allowed to visit the hechel of the rebbe zt"l and together daven for the final redemption be'korov.
To the family sheyichu:
Hamokom yenachem eschem betoch sha'ar avele tzion ve'yerushalayim. AND do not hesitate to remind your (also our) beloved Jay (at appropiate moments when you feel his attachment) that he continue working for all of us who so deeply appreciate his work and love.
Humbly;
-nat
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My first encounter with Jay Litvin was a chance finding of the Farbengen magazine with his article entitled "Me, Myself and You." He taught me that it was ok to question and to doubt, but regardless of what I think and feel that G-d is all around me, he taught me to stop focusing on myself and focus on G-d. A lesson that is hard to learn and even harder to teach. I am thankful for the lesson, as it came at a time I really needed it, I have passed it on, and will continue to do so. May HaShem bring peace to his family and friends.
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I enjoyed Jay's articles immensely. They were very inspiring and very well written. He had a great sense of humor! I found myself laughing throughout the entire article. May his lessons continue to inspire others to grow to come closer to God and to be better people. May we be together with Jay in Yerushalyim with the coming of Moshiach - NOW!
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Jay's voice will be a loss to all whose lives he has touched.
The first work by Jay that I read was an article he wrote just for me on the subject of learning differences. I am sure every mother of a learning disabled child who read the article, also thought that he had written it just for her. It touched home, hit the soft bruised center of my being and let me know that he understood me and my son and shared our frustration and anger with establiished school norms
Every article that Jay wrote, seemed to be personally written for me, or a friend. They were meant to be shared. He will be missed. I wish his family to know how important he was to his readers and to know that he will be missed and remembered.
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I truly can't begin to say how saddened I was to read about Jay Litvin's passing. It took me back several years to the day I learned of the passing of Chabad.org's founder, Rabbi Yosef Y. Kazen.
To try to specify the way Jay touched me would take going back issue after issue of the Chabad.org magazine, looking at the wisdom here and experience there to which I related -- or to which I wished I could have related...
I was so often humbled by Jay's words, and as I write this I realize how much work I have to do. Having read most of Jay's articles on Shabbos afternoons, unable to jot down notes to remind me of the midos-changing hachlotos they started me thinking about, was a disservice I hope to remedy and for which I hope Jay can forgive me.
During Sefiros Ha'Omer is a good time to rectify that error... to reread Jay's articles, absorb his wisdom and strength of character, and make plans to improve mine.
My sincerest condolences to Jay's family and friends.
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Rabbi Litvin brought and surely continues to bring much light into this world. Thank you.
May we be zocheh to see Jay and all those that lie in the dust rise speedily in the complete and final geula with Moshiach Tzidkeinu.
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I am deeply saddened by the passing of Jay Litvin. He was a friend at a time of importance in my life when he lived in Milwaukee and had a profound influence on many who knew him then and certainly since as he embarked on a lifetime of giving and caring...........His influence in the Jewish world will be missed.
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This Shabbat I felt an unexplainable anger at Death. We all undergo experience of it sooner or later in life, but this Shabbat a great wave of anger and despair overcame me. Now I know why.
I believe Jay, who inspired us all, during his struggle and his victories, would also wish to teach another lesson in acceptance, as well as in grief.
Teyhey Nishmato Tserura Bitsror HaChayim.
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Jay has inspired me through his incredible articles, etc. I wish his family and friends comfort during this difficult time. Jay definitely lived life to the full. His wisdom will last forever
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Bs'd
I am currently attending Machon Shoshanat Yerushalayim Seminary in Jerusalem. Recently, Mr. Litvin, a'h, came to speak to us about volunteering for the Chabad Victims of Terror. Through his deep conviction and sincerity, we were all inspired to do as much as we possibly could.
I, along with my classmates, go every Thursday afternoon to help out different families.
Thankyou Mr. Litvin, a'h, for your encouragement. We will never forget you. May your memory be a blessing for all.
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To Jay's family
I've never met Jay before. I've never even seen him from a distance. And yet I somehow feel a part of his life, and he of mine.
Every time he writes about one of his personal challenges or positive experiences, he takes me there with him. I've sat in the waiting room with him as he waited for his next treatment; I've been there watching him precariously balance his child on his shoulders on Simchat Torah; and I've been there in the darkness as he struggled to find the hidden light.
But why is that special? Don't most good writers make you experience palpably the lives of their characters?
Perhaps the difference is this: I don't just come away with an understanding of how someone dealt with a particular situation, a vision into another person's world, a perception into someone else's thinking; I come away a qualitatively different person; I now have the strength to deal with that situation myself; his victory is one i'm now able to achieve too.
Thanks Jay
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Like many other commenters, I never met Jay Litvin, but he touched my life in ways that I cannot express adequately. He brought new levels of chassidus to my life as a baal teshuva and his words continue to inspire me. Thank you to his family for sharing him with us.
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It's been about 2 years since I first stumbled onto an article by Jay Litvin at chabad.org's magazine. From the beginning I felt like I was reading a letter from a friend. Jay DID put into words some of my thoughts and feelings and his work allowed me to feel less guilty when I questioned or struggled. So did he! His work was so accessible, uplifting, and personal. Well, why not, afterall "what comes from the heart, goes into the heart."
My deepest condolences to his family on the loss of this gifted and extraordinary man.
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Baruch Dayan Emet!
May HIS Peace be upon the family of Rabbi Jay Litvin, obm. May the Messiah come in our days and return with HIM the tzadikim that have departed from among us. We always have the hope of resurrection and wait for the Mashiach.
May we, as "Spiritual warriors." work for inner peace and change in our society and around the world as Rabbi Letvin did. Let us be 'warriors' without arms, but only empowered by Torah, to live as tzadikim and hasidim, full of mercy and love.
Shalom uvrakha
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I was truly saddened to hear the news about the passing of Rabbi Jay Litvin, a"h. What struck me about my saddness was that I had never met him, didn't know him and had never had a personal dialogue with him and yet there existed withen me a great sense of loss, for his family, community, the readers of chabad.org and indeed all of klal Yisroel.
He was a man who was able to paint pictures with his words. He had an amazing gift where he could articulate G-dly feelings and emotions and evoke a sense of identity to all his readers.His writtings would always touch a raw core from within me, almost as though his words would be the key to my own emotions and a recognition of feelings that lay stagnant from within. His clarity would relaese the silent words that were unable to be articulated. In a world that is cloaked in "sheker"{falsehood} he wrote Truth, so refreshing and humbling for the soul. As we are taught "what leaves from the heart enters the heart." Thank you for entering our hearts.
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Jay Litvin: A Friend of the World and My Friend
It is income tax day in America and we are back to work after Pesach. I just received word late this afternoon of the passing in Israel of my friend Jay Litvin who lived here in Mequon, Wisconsin. I am angered that distance and time makes it impossible to attend his funeral. The news pushed me into a surrealistic denial that a man who was so devoted to G-d, who had dedicated his life to children suffering from horrific radiation sickness, and who had taught us to be inward and soul searching, had passed.
For more than two years my friend Jay Litvin had been suffering from a rare form of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. He knew well of his own situation yet never wavered in his mission or blamed G-d for the situation. His spiritual role model the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menacham Mendel Schneerson teaches him that a good Jew devote his life to G-d, goodness and to take on acts of kindness.
I moved to Milwaukee ten years ago. There I first met Jay Litvin as part of a growing Jewish Chabad Community. As I was moving in, Jay was in the process of moving his young family to Israel, to Kfar Chabad, to start a new life in G-d's holy soil, where the holy temple stood. Jay Litvin was a dynamic spirit. Every sentence of his quiet conversations challenged you to dig deep into your soul and express your faith. He discussed the Torah and economics, the Prophets and family dynamics, Jewish philosophy and international issues. He touched on relationships at the most micro levels - within families - and macro issues of the world today. Jay had a way of making you thinkprior to a discussion with him and during it. The biggest impact came after you left the discussion. Like his mentor Jay could peer into your soul and help you find the truth.
We all know how the nuclear reactors at Chernobyl melted down and bled out the most deadly clouds of radiation since Hiroshima. Radiation sickness infected babies, parents, and the elderly. It gave us a second true glimpse of what a nuclear holocaust would bring. Jay moved to Israel and became totally immersed in an effort to save as many of these children from the physical and emotional devastation of the radiation sickness. The Lubavitcher Rebbe personally asked Jay to take on this task, which he did without hesitation.
Almost single handedly, Jay Litvin raised funds to send mission after mission of the world's best physicians to visit Chernobyls nuclear wasteland. His efforts resulted in bone marrow transplants and other life saving heroics all directed to the most vulnerable, the children. The scope of the radiation disease was so pervasive that everyone who took up Jays call risked his or her own lives. In the end Jay saved numerous lives at his own expense. Later he took up the cause of the survivors of the most vicious anti Semitic terrorism to affect the world in 60 years - the bombings in Israel, which left hundreds of maimed and wounded. Jay knew the true scope of the terror attending to those with needs in rehab, artificial limbs, burns that take half a score years to heal, and root cause as a hate of Jews.
We have learned an important lesson from Jay Litvin. The Rebbe teaches us that each life is uniquely precious and that we must nurture the soul. Jay took on the task in classic form saying He Nini I am here! His example is unmatched.
Ten years ago, I was privileged to meet a quiet simple man who moved my own spirit and later did wonders beyond comprehension. Today as I shed my own tears I am proud to be able to call him my friend.
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I am stunned and grief-stricken by Jay Litvin's passing, although I knew him only through his writings
He was a magnificent Jew and chassid, with a relationship to G-d that we can only envy. His writings moved, inspired and taught thousands and we will all miss him sorely. I hope to have one hundredth of his courage, humour, yirat shamayim and achievements for Klal Yisrael.
May we immediatedly witness Moshiach and Techiyat Hameitim.
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I first met Jay through his writing- a story in my wife's anthology- Heartbeats.
I met Jay again in our mutual work of helping victims of terror. He was always helpful, insightful and caring. His mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) to help klal Yisrael was inspiring to me and my co-workers.
To his family-Hamakom Ynachem Etchem Btoch Sh'aar Aveley Tzion V'Yerushalayim.
Elimelech Lepon
Director of Thearapeutic Services
KIDS FOR KIDS Organization for the Recovery of
Young Victims of Terrorism
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We were truly saddened to hear the news about the passing of Rabbi Jay Litvin. We run the editorial department of Jabad magazine and website in Buenos Aires, Argentina and we often published some of Rabbi Litvin´s material. We always felt very inspired doing the translation, as we read many times the text to truly keep the essence and meaningful message of his writings. In our behalf and of our readers we send sincerest condolences to Rabbi Litvin's family.
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I once signed up for daily e-mails from Chabad. One day I got an e-mail of a poem entitled "Be Free" written by Jay. At the time I was just starting to rediscover my heritage. Jay's poem spoke to me and some of the concerns I was having. I really benefitted from his poem. I think I still have that e-mail in my mail box! "Words from the heart enter the heart." Jay's ability to allow the wellsprings of his heart to overflow and affect others was wonderful and uplifting. May the merit of his service help to hasten the coming of Moshiach.
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Although I never met Jay Litvin I almost felt as though I had through his writing. He truely inspired me as a mother and as a human being, I always read any articles he wrote for the Chabad website and found them inspiring, touching a part of me that sometimes I was surpirised to tap into. To have posessed such an ability was a true sign of his greatness. You will be sorely missed by your family both actual and extended.
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For me this e-mail I recieved, while yet a Gentile, from Jay Litvin says it all:
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2001 17:24:29 +0200
Dear Daniel,
Thanks for writing and keep seeking. Though, in truth, you don't have to
look to far. He's everywhere, you know.
All the best to you, my fellow seeker,
Jay Litvin
In no small way and without knowing it Jay Litvin played an extrodinary part in my decision to follow the path of Ruth.
I thank HaShem that I had even the tiniest contact with His servant Jay.
My deepest sympathies to his family,
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I was deeply sorrowed when I read of Jay's passing. His life and thoughts touched mine after the death of my beloved mother. he understood and in that understanding I found my first sense of the journey of healing. each day I read his message to me and each day I log on to my computer to read more of his reflectings. He will be sorely missed by all of the Jewish community and I feel that I have lost a friend. May Hashem grant healing to us all.
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Most deep condolences to Mrs.Litvin and children. Your husband's writing was a model for teaching my children. May he enjoy sunny days in Paradise...
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Jay Litvin will be so missed, but he is in the hearts of many, and that will be eternal. I was touched as was everyone else by his writing. He is a well of water springing up into many hearts. There is much sorrow and sadness today, but sunshine and happiness too, because of Jay Litvin. We were blessed to be living witnesses to such a "tzaddik" of our time.
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Dear Mrs. Litvin and family,
Words are useless at this time when we all mourn your husband and father; a man whose words gave hope and healing to millions worldwide. When I heard the tragic news, I was stunned and saddened. But I also felt a certain sense of pride, because unlike many of those millions, I was privileged to know Mr. Litvin personally. Growing up across the street from your family was truly a precious experience. From Pesach seders and Friday night dinners, to playing with Sarah Chana and holding Dovidel: everything with your family was a special moment. I have so many fond memories of Mr. Litvin searching for Levi, taking us for rides in the red Buick, and simply being there as a positive father role-model. When you moved to Israel, we were all lucky that Mr. Litvin's words of inspiration travelled back to us in Mequon and around the world. I wish you all brachos of health and happiness, and we should be reunited with Moshiach now.
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I was personally never privileged to meet R.Litvin. But I am lucky to be a friend of his son Levi who quotes his sayings, opinions and lessons very often. I would like to share 1 of the many lessons I heard from Levi. It was after a farbrngen and we were sitting together speaking about the different doubts which go through a teenager's mind. then Levi said whenever I have any doubts or problems I always look up to my father. I know my father is not the holiest Jew but one thing I know is that he is a smart, understanding person and if chose at the age of 40 to became a total bal tshuvah, it must mean he understood that Torah is everlasting and for it and the Jews, G-d created the world. So surely the Torah that R.Litvin spread is everlasting in its effect on people across the globe. Thank you Levi, thank you Rabbi Litvin
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I want to thank Jay and his family for all the love and trust he poured into his writings which often helped me to look at my own life in a way, of which I hope I can pass on a little bit.
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To the Litvin family (Sharon,Yaakov, Natanel, Sara Chana, Levi, Rivkie and Dovie),
A husband, a father, a grand father, a friend, a mashpia.....
Der Aibishter admired your beauty and glory down below, lovingly He took you to be His very own, up to Shomaim, to His home.
But we miss you. We love you.
Thank you for what you did for me.
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Dear Litvin and Chabad Families,
I have read Jay's columns most of the time the last three or four years. His articles on rearing children touched me greatly as well as many times keeping me bemused. I would rank him amongst the best teachers I have seen and hear on parenting. I recommended him to many Jewish and Christian friends as well.
I have also enjoyed and appreciated his other work. He had a wonderful spirit and touched each and every one of us in special ways. Know that we have been blessed by his presence here in this realm. As I belive of other spiritual warriors Jay is doing God's ultimate work. He is in heaven interceding for his friends and family.
May you all be blessed in these coming days and know that Jay will be missed. But his spirit lives on.
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I have been deeply touched by Jay Litvin's writings. He touched my heart when my heart needed touching. He brought me comfort through his compassion and understanding, in his devotion and loyalty to G-d. In the midst of my own deep despair over the loss of my beloved son Michael, Jay's strength and outreach made my journey a bit easier, a bit less lonely. He will be remembered.
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We were so deeply saddened to learn of Jay's passing. We lived through his illness in his writings and we in South Africa always enjoyed his penetrating and sensitive literary work. We often reprint material from Chabad.org (always given credit of course) and quite a few of Jay's articles found their way into our Shabbos Reader. We are grateful to have known him through his writings and wish his family and colleagues every strength and comfort. May his memory be blessed and may it continue to be a blessing in your lives always.
Rabbi Yossy Goldman
Sydenham Shul, Johannesburg, South Africa
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I knew Jay somewhat when he and his family lived in Milwaukee. I admired his energy and creativity. Ironically, I feel like I came to know him better after he made aliyah. His work on behalf of ill Ukrainian children was brilliant and, from what I could see, tireless. His articles were both deeply personal and universally accessible. He was a mensch. May his loved ones find strength in his memory.
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My most sincere condolences on the passing of Mr. Jay Litvin.
May he rest in peace and may his family receive the Grace of HaShem in these difficult times.
Shalom aleichem and al col Israel, Amen.
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I am sitting here reading everyone's comments and relating to each as though they poured forth from my own heart - especialy the ones that express feelings of betrayal and the porfoundest loss. I need to reach out to all of my "fellow travelers" to help lessen my own feelings of loneliness and void. Though we haven't met in this worldly realm Jay, you have helped me find and give expression to my soul. Jay, your articles have nursed me and nurtured me and I pray that your writings spread wings and lift you to the holiest of places on High, and that you have the deepest of nachas from your family - and your extended family whom you have helped lift up out of the dark and frightening places. To Jay's family, I offer, Hamakom Y'nachem etchem btoch sh'ar aveili Tziyon veYerushalayim.
thank you.
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There is still such a shock...I didn't think that I could feel such a deep connection with someone I have never met. His words endeared us all to him and connected us in ways we never realized. "Acheinu Kol Beis Yisrael!" We are all connected. Jay always reminded us of that, and always will.
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The first article I read by Mr. Litvin was: "The View from My Childs Window". It was so beautifully written and meant so much to me because of my childrens ages. At that time that I wrote him an e-mail expressing my high oppinion and love for his work, and how this article had inspired both my husband and me. I was very touched because he wrote back and told me about the time he and his family had spent in Mexico and thought of those as very happy moments of his life.
I was very sorry this morning when I learned about his passing away. The first thing I did was read my favorite article ever, and wish he feels the same joy he did during those happy times he expressed in his note, with his family always in his heart in a beautiful place.
Thank you for your inspiration.
Rest in peace- Descansa en paz
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Wow. This man wrote very touchingly.
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I am among the many readers who deeply regret not writing to Jay. I was intimidated. I thought my comments had to be perfectly written. I was wrong.
Although I never personaly met Jay, I was so affected by his writings. Being a woman who was brought up as a Lubavitcher in Crown Heights, I inevitably took things for granted. Jay always made me appreciate what I have and gave me a whole new perspective on my life now, as a wife and mother.
"Vehachai yiten el libo" - "And the living shall take to heart"
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B"H
As a brand new parent, Jay's articles on parenting made a profound impact on my approach to trying to become the best father I can possibly be.
From the time my wife shared the miraculous news of her pregnancy with our first child, I had been seeking guidance and inspiration for the long and challenging road ahead of being a parent. Jay's beautiful words provided both, with an artful combination of wit, sensitivity, spirituality, and pragmatism.
As the brief eulogy on chabad.org's site understatedly describes it, Jay's writing was truly "so deep and true" that one could not help but be moved almost to tears, at times, while, simultaneously, feeling a renewed sense of commitment and pride in raising a family - something Jay obviously felt was among ones's holiest and important obligations.
Individuals as prolifically righteous as Jay will surely merit a place beside the Holy One, Blessed Be He, in Heaven, and will speed the coming of the Messiah, G-d willing, in our days.
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BS"D
We are deeply saddened by Jay's a"h passing. I am sure that I have
read every one of the 60+ articles that he wrote, some of them many
times, and they all touched me deeply. There is surely no one else in
the world that I feel I know so well, that I never met in person.
Reading the last article, with tears in my eyes, and in my heart, I
have the following feeling that I want to share. As Jay would say,
please bear with me while I work this out.
With G-d's Help, I have been a Lubavitcher Chosid for almost 30 years,
after much searching, before that, not observant at all. About 6
months before I became observant, a very close friend died suddenly.
I was heartbroken. It was a pivotal incident, because it was truly a
nisoyon, a test, and it had great potential to turn me to cynicism and
more indulgence, and I thought hard about turning in that direction.
I did not know about the shiva-week of mourning, but I mourned for
about a week, after which I came to a different conclusion, thank G-d,
that I had to try twice as hard to make my life as meaningful as
possible, for me, and for my dear friend who no longer could make his
life meaningful as he had done when he was alive.
I would like to suggest that all of us who Jay touched so deeply
should continue in the spirit of, Mah Zaro b'chaim, af hu b'chaim,
which means that just as his children (friends, admirers, and students)
are alive, so he is alive. That we must continue to go over Jay's
articles that he left us, to live with them and him, to share them with
others whenever possible, and then we will keep him alive.
Tomorrow is the birthday of the Rebbe Maharash, so I will conclude
with some words of consolation for Jay's family, written by the Rebbe
Maharash to his brother's family, when his brother had passed away.
"What can I possibly say to you? How can I console you after such
terrible misfortunes? Your loss is as great as the sea; who shall heal
you? May He who gives strength to those who are exhausted send you comfort from His holy abode, as the Sages say in Midrash Rabbah (at the end of the first chapter of Eichah): "She has suffered in double measure, may she be comforted in double measure ... Be consoled, be consoled My people, so says your G-d". May He be the one "Who shall heal you."
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Many years ago, I used to bike past Jay's house (back when he lived in Mequon, Wisconsin), and, on several occassions, saw him outside, either playing with his children or reading.
Rather than allowing me to just ride past with a friendly wave of the hand, Jay would yell out to me, insisting that I stop for a glass of cold water.
Along with the much welcomed refreshment, Jay also found a way to nourish my psyche - with a story about the Rebbe, a lesson about the weekly parsha, or with one of the many fascinating tales he had heard from his travels.
While he and his family moved from Southeastern Wisconsin a long time ago, we've been able to connect with him through his many writings. And, while his writing will remain with us forever, Jay will truly be missed.
Jay, it'll be my turn to bring you a glass of cold, cold water and a good book when we eventually meet in that big bicycle shop in the sky.
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I definitely will miss your articles, Jay. I can't remember how many of them I've read and--Bam!--the subject hit home so directly and deeply. It's amazing how beautifully you were able to put into words and on paper the thoughts and feelings so many of us have. Thank you for sharing. Thank you being so honest and open. You have been a great teacher. May Hashem comfort you amongst all the mouners in Zion and Yerushalaim and may the coming of Moshiach be soon.
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I have read many articles by Jay and always became emotional reading them. Sometimes I would scroll by the author's byline and just read the article, then go back and notice it was Jay Litvin... again.
Such beautiful and eloquent, heartfelt writing!
This Jew , me, has come home after a very, very long time--yet, not really being away. Jay was an unknowning part of that. I regret not thanking him for his articles before he passed on.
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I write to humbly encourage that Reb Moishe Zelig's WRITINGS BE COLLECTED AND PUBLISHED IN BOOK FORM l'iluiy nishmato so that Am Yisrael can continue to derive inspiration from his sensitive communication. No doubt in shamayim his neshama would derive much nachat from the inspiration such a book would awaken in its readers.
While I did not merit to know Reb Moishe Zelig a"h personally, through his essays which touched the soul of all who read them, we all felt as though we indeed knew him and that we have all lost a great mentor and a sensitive teacher. Am Yisrael has suffered a painful loss.
May you know no more sadness!
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I can't begin to fully express the profound sense of loss that I feel upon learning of Jay's passing. To his family I send my prayers. His articles were brilliant! Never did I read one just once. He made me think, he made me laugh, he made me cry. I often felt like I knew him....I wish I did.
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Jay's columns show me more about love than any other words I know. (I can't imagine ever referring to him in the past tense, his presence is so strong.) And that would certainly be enough. For me anyhow. But not for the divine soul that speaks in him. There is no pride in him. He is at once the humblest, most uncertain and ordinary of men and at the same time an extraordinary example of the best we can hope to be.
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My heart is sore. Although I have felt privilged to "know" Jay Litivn through his beautiful, moving articles, I deeply wish I could have known him in person. His life has touched me deeply, and I am grateful. I pray G-d's comfort on his family and friends, in the legacy Jay has left them.
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BS"D
G-d is the true judge. My heart broke when I read about Jay just as it broke for the Rebbe, Chezi Goldberg, Rabbi Kazen, Nechama Greisman and countless others. However, we can all gain strength in having known them in part and knowing that their now released souls are looking over our shoulders.
Mrs. Litvin, your husband helped me, my husband and children in ways you will never know. But as the tears flood my heart, I'm so grateful to you for marrying him. Your strength and character came through so many times in his writings and the intense love he has (note that I mean now although his physical body is at rest) for you and the children. May his memory be a strength to us all on an ongoing basis.
Jay, we won't "forget" you any more than we can all the other souls.
P.S. Can and would someone publish Jay's articles into an anthology? I'd be one of the first to get it. He had such a way with words it was like he was reading our minds. Thank you Hashem for such a special soul.
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I thought that I was the only one who was so touched by a man I didn't know. Reading of all the people who said the things I felt (but articulated it much better) was both sad and uplifting. The sad is obvious, the uplifting to see the impact Jay made on so many of us. I am a better person, try to be a better mother, because of the articles I read. May Hashem comfort Jay's family as only He can.
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I read through your personal story of the "Two Rabbis" with great interest and excitement because of the similarity to feeling I have had since becoming closer to Chabad. How sad I was to discover as I clicked to know more about you, that you were no more! But isn't it amazing that you touched my heart even now,and I shall read all you have written and even though I have only made your acquaintance after your passing, I'm sure I will grow to regard you as a dear close friend.
My sympathies to your family. I hope they will find consolation in the amazing legacy you hav e left them.
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No essay writer has has touched and inspired me so deeply with their honesety and their brilliance as Jay Litvin. The world is a colder place now that he's gone.
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I personally got a great deal out of Jay's essays. Some made me laugh. Some made me cry. All made me think. I truly regret not having the opprtunity to know him personally. Still through the essays I feel as if I did. Please, may you be comforted by Heaven.
With condolences,
Rabbi Rob Shorr Ph.D., D.I.C.
Edison, NJ
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Jay will live on in millions of homes & hearts around the world, because he has affected us all with his writings that came from his soul.Thank you Jay, for changing my life along with millions of others. May we merit to see you with us once again - immediately!! May G-d comfort his family amongst all the mourners of Jerusalem.
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I want to reach out to Jay's family in particular, and thank them for allowing Jay to share so many of his most private thoughts with us. As a baal teshuvah myself, I still have so many questions about Judaism. Jay's brave and refreshing honesty in his articles makes me feel much better about the path I am on and the questions I still have. He was really an amazingly gifted writer and a very wise man. Please know that your pain is shared by people like me, who wish that Jay was still here to read, and someday perhaps to meet. For now, thank G-d I have so many articles by Jay on Chabad.org and through the JLI textbooks that I can catch up on. And when Moshiach comes, I hope to meet Jay!
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To Jay's Family,
I don't know what words of comfort to offer you, except to tell you the simple truth. Jay, through his gifted writing, made a big impression on my soul. His presence in my life, even though it was "only" through his writing, made, and continues to make, a deep and meaningful difference. I am better for having "known" him.
Jay made a big difference in this world, a good difference. Thank you for sharing him with all of us.
I wish I could thank him again, for sharing the depth of his soul, for reaching out, for making himself vulnerable and affecting the deepest parts of who I am.
Perhaps us "readers" can give back to him in that same way, in his memory, as a merit for his neshama, by sharing our gifts with the world in ways that may be challenging or difficult for us. Maybe we could be as brave as Jay was, even just once, just for him.
May Hashem comfort you along with all the mourners of Tzion and Yerushalayim. May you know of no more tza'ar.
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Thank you Jay, for the insights you have given me!
I have never met you, but I feel a great loss with you not being among us anymore. You have given me insights nobody has ever given me before. Many were the times when I read what you wrote, and I started to cry, because I felt your words are so very true. You have taught me how to understand G-d and our mutual relationship with G-d as people. I have read "You warned me" over and over, and I have never ever in my whole life read anything as beautiful and touching. And surely true.
I have admired your strength and your struggling has given me strengt to go on struggling too (even though it was some other kind of struggling).
I always waited eagerly for your next article, I have nearly all your articles printed out so I can read them again and again.
And I have thought about you many, many times, hoping you are better, and also many times prayed for your recovery.
But G-d wanted it to be different. Today your soul knows more about all the mysteries that await us all in the future.
I send my deeepest sympathy and condolence to your family. I also miss you very much, I feel I have lost a teacher and a soulmate. I will miss looking forward to your next articles. But I will always treasure very much every one of them I have ever read. I will never forget you.
Thank you again!
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First let me say sorry about jays passing. Second is that you should remeber the good things. May your family have alot of chazzack.
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1976 I saw those same angels in bright colors, wow dared not tell anyone.
Well the next angel I see will probably look a lot like Jay.
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The sense of shock is overpowering: I just discovered that author Jay Litvin died! He was one of my very favorite authors on this Web site. His work was deep, meaningful and oh so real. No canned trite stories, no serene platitudes, whatever he wrote about the reader knew Jay Litvin had experienced it, he actually lived it.
Baruch Dayan Emes!!
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Jay Litvin illuminated without compare the issues of terror in my life.Truly my reading was only interrupted by tears, that Jay put into words, what I could understand with an ease of comprehension only paralelled with reading the Torah itself! Gifted brilliantly with inspirational compassion and wisdom, always shining light in the darkest places of my heart to give me strength in place of weakness, comfort in place of anxiety, understanding in place of distress. In the future I would hope to find his works published that I might keep them as a guarded treasure amongst the finest writings available for myself and my children. My respect and deepest gratitude for the gifts he has given me, a blessed teacher.
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B''H
Nothing I say can change anything, but what Jay said changed something. It changed me. The 1st story I ever read was "How a Stupid Little Ruler Chnaged My Life". It made me think for a very long time. It made me look at my life, and remember what is important and what is not. All of Jays writing inspired me, made me laugh, made me cry and made me feel connected. Thank you for sharing your life with us Jay, and bringing yiddishkeit and Torah to the world. May your family be comforted in their sorrow and may Moshiach come speedily in our days.
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I enjoy Jay's writing the most when he asks a lot of questions. And especially when he doesn't have the answers to them. It is comforting to know that such a wise and compassionate man wonders and questions like I always do. And he fears and worries like all of us do. It seems he rarely preaches, but offers theories instead. I believe that one of the reasons that we are here on this earth is to learn. And we can only learn by asking more and more questions, rather than saying "I know everything there is to know about this, and there is nothing more to learn. I have no more questions."
Thank you for your thoughts.
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BS"D
I still have his email address in our email addressbook. I can't bear to erase it... Hatzlocha to his family. It would be helpful... in light of those who have passed ...to know how the family is doing. His along with Chezi Goldberg ( & many others) touched our lives and our family and perhaps their own families are forgotten when most likely they could use support in more than one way.
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I have saved a few of Jay's Essays and read them to my clients from time to time. Whenever I read them my soul responds.
Is there any way to access his writings? Does his family have any plans of compiling his writings into a book?
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Jay wrote 67 articles for Chabad.org, ( 6 + 7 = 13, the numerical value of ahava = love) and he may be remembered for them, but Jay Litvin also “made numerous trips to Belarus and Ukraine to airlift Jewish children from the contaminated areas to Israel.” He will most surely be remembered for that.
Rabbi Akiba asked, "If you have a thousand dinars & you give three hundred to charity, how many do you possess?" "Seven hundred,” his students answered. No. You truly possess only the three hundred you gave away. Anything could happen to the seven hundred you "have." You could be robbed or lose them in a business deal. But no one can take from you the all the good you've done, all the people you've helped.”
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Jay's messages are so liberating. they help us expand to have more of the truth within ourselves. He clearly lives on here, and at the same time he is with G-d above, who, in His infinite wisdom has him up high. We don't understand this, and it is hard, but somehow one can't help but notice that the really special ones are taken back early. We MUST learn from whatever they left us in the short time they were here.
all the comments were just beautiful, especially from Dr. Tzvi Yehuda Saks, who sadly was also taken from us after he wrote (above) this for Jay's family. If you study his words, you will see that he had been determined to live a doubly more meaningful life for this loss, and we should all take that thought into consideration.
thankyou to Chabad.org for providing us with the ability to have all this wisdom to read so easily.
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i read his story about his first aliyah...it was so full of life and thought... L'Chaim , Jay, we are with you all the way.
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I sit here in San Diego being nostalgic about my days in Milwaukee and googled some of the folks I knew "back then". My first reaction when I read of Jay's passing was to tear up... and then as he always did... his memory brought a smile to my memory and to my heart. What an amazing teacher and gentle soul was Jay. I am so honored to have known him. My condolences to his family.
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I have been inspired by many of Jay's articles. But then I read the one titled Bitachon. Not only is it amazing how he clearly and excitingly explicates a delicate and profound idea, it is also an article that I think I can read each day before davening. It really puts my head in the right place.
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i have not been so moved as this morning having read jay levin's open and heartfelt article on prayer. I find myself so much closer to G-d to whom I felt so close already. His words resonate within my soul. As I too fight cancer, questions arise but the absolute answer is You You You for us all. Thank You G-d for helping jay to write these words and for me to find them at exactly the right time. Sharon and children you will all be in my prayers newely experienced through your husband and father.
Basyah Rus
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His article Two plus two is five is one of my best.
Thank you Jay.
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