Mickey (God-like) Leor (My Light) Ephrath - Born 3/28/91 - Died 1/7/2013 - In his short life, he read a lot of books, wrote a lot of poetry and music, produced a lot of great songs, made a lot of people happy, made some mad as hell, broke more than a few hearts, had a lot of friends, lost more than a few, loved deeply, lived fully, and always took the path that he chose.  He will be missed!  But, may his creativity and music live on.  

Knowing Mickey's feelings and thoughts about God, rather than traditional liturgy, our Rabbi read the following poem, written by Chaim Nachman Bialik, on the 7th and last day of Shiva with the family at his graveside. The poem was originally written in Hebrew.

After My Death by Chaim Nachman Bialik  

After My Death
Say this when you mourn for me:

There was a man - and look, he is no more.
He died before his time.
The music of his life suddenly stopped.
A pity! There was another song in him.
Now, it is lost.
Forever.

A great pity! 
He had a guitar,
a living, speaking soul
to which he uttered the secrets of his heart,
making all its strings vibrate,
save one he kept inviolate.
Back and forth his supple fingers danced,
one string alone remained entranced
still unheard.

A pity!
All its life that string quivered,
silently shook,
yearned for its song, its mate,
as a heart saddens before its fate.
Despite delay, it waited.
Mutely beseeching its saviour lover
who lingered, loitered, and did not come.

Great is the pain!
There was a man - and look, he is no more.
The music of his life suddenly stopped.
There was another song in him.
Now it is lost.
Forever.




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