Seven Days- Part V
Sunday came and with it returned the crushing realization that once more, Joshua the fox, would be unable to leave his dead brother's home, bound once more by the strict rabbinical writings created for the purpose of mourning. He had just began to enjoy his newfound sense of freedom after a few hours out of this smelly, cramped, and dilapidated home for an enjoyable evening at the temple, a place which he swore he would visit once more as soon as this sitting sheva concluded.
But he also realized that the hap-hazard condition of his brother David's home was Mr. Kleiner's doing- his neglect and ignorance kept his brother chained to a house that was falling apart at the seams, just as David was himself. And every foetid moment in this decaying home reminded Joshua of the sins he had committed earlier in his life, about skimping on his religious duties, about the dereliction of duty in not being his brother's keeper, and of forgetting the things in life that really mattered.
Standing in stark contrast to his laziness and materialism, was his other brother, Isaac who Joshua had heard was standing right by his brother's side through every step of his slow and agonizing death. It was Isaac who served as witness to the debilitating myelin degradation that turned his brother into a regressed man-cub who lost all his bodily functions. It was Isaac who drove this fast-vegetating fox to the hospital during his psychotic episodes and it was Isaac who was there when David passed away. Ultimately, all the elder Kleiner could do was wonder why the rabbi designated Joshua Kleiner, CEO and founder of a powerful real estate company in Miami to "sit" on this sheva in the otherwise-unoccupied house over Isaac. Perhaps the rabbi was only trying to be ironic- or maybe there was something he felt that Isaac already knew and Joshua would have to learn. Was this a form of punishment?
Interrupting his train of thought was the sound that Joshua had come to know so well over the past few days- his doorbell, a herald of the next mourner for his brother.
"May He who is present in all places comfort you" Joshua Kleiner said, as he clipped his brother's jacket. It was a sign of great restraint not to address how much Isaac, not Joshua should have been the designated mourner for David who outside of Isaac and the doctor had no friends in the world. There would be plenty of time for that as soon as they reached the sitting room.
Isaac was fifteen years younger than Joshua and while middle age had certainly left its mark on the latter party, the former party had yet to see his fortieth birthday. He was young and remarkably attractive even for vulpine standards. His appearance belied the many sleepless nights he had spent watching his brother fall apart and pass away in a slow, cruel, irreversible, and painful fashion. More devout than Joshua, he wore underneath his jacket, the tallit worn during morning prayers the whole day and he also wore the yarmulke, or tight-fitting skullcap which gave away his religion to all who would glance at him. While Isaac was not as successful in terms of making money as his brother, he had not developed so much of a taste for money in his life, preferring instead the simpler life of teaching students. While certainly not as high-paying as being the founder of a real-estate company, Isaac was happy with less of the earthly goods that his brother enjoyed.
"So I see you were the one who was sent to do the mourning for your brother. You know, if it could have been any other way, I would have gladly accepted death in my brother's place," Isaac started, adjusting his glasses.
"Well, there's nothing much we can do about it now. He's gone... but I wonder if you were the one who spent the most time with him, why weren't you called to be the mourner," Joshua replied, laying his paws on the desk and staring into his brother's eyes.
"Don't you understand why? It was obvious that this duty would be placed on you- I had already spent so much time in this miserable place caring for my brother. I had been my brother's keeper for so long but you neglected him." It was just as Joshua had expected all along; his unwillingness or inability or plain forgetfulness was the reason that he now had to occupy his brother's old home until the week was out. Was it that the King of the Universe, in his Divine will had designated for Joshua Kleiner of Miami to learn the lesson of humility and familial duty by keeping sheva for this week?
"I don't mean to be self-centered but the time has come for you to learn what I already know. You've got obligations beyond selling houses and making money. You would come to God's house when you felt like you wanted it but you weren't really following His will. If you followed him, this house would be much less of a prison" And like what most of the mourners said, these accusations were true and thusly cut Joshua deep to his soul.
"I am sorry. I now know the true meaning of what Yeshayahu said- ‘You honor me with your lips but your heart is far removed from me'. This whole time I've been a bad brother but why?" Joshua said, desperate to learn more of how this trial would make him a better person.
"Well there is more to life than making money and being successful. In fact, we should learn what success truly is. It isn't merely making money but what you do with what God has blessed you with. My work as a schoolteacher is rewarding but not as high-paying as your job. Still, I find I'm satisfied with my line of employment." And now Joshua knew where he had gone wrong. He sought to make a lot of money. He built an empire of estate in Miami and he succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. But this kingdom was built on sand, in more ways than one. It could never be fulfilling because it was self-serving.
"Thank you, brother. I know what I must do when I leave this place. I must give back in some tangible way, everything I've been blessed with. Money is secondary to doing His will."
The day's lesson learned, a nod of the head delivered the message that Isaac's job was now complete. He said a prayer and said good-bye, leaving Joshua once again alone but closer to learning what was necessary.