In Memory
A Tribute to My Dear Brother Malcolm Zaidel z"l
SHLOSHIM, 12 ADAR, 12 March, 2006
By: Prof. Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph
A great shining light has been extinguished for all of us, but a great light has gone on in Shamayim. To adapt the words of the song that both Malcolm and I have sung to all our children, “He’s lighting the windows of Heaven”.
How blessed was I to have had a brother like Malcolm and to be able to spend my childhood years growing up with him. He taught me so much and I learnt so many valuable lessons from him. The finest way that any of us can celebrate his exemplary life is by following his impeccable example.
One of my earliest memories was of Malcolm painstakingly building some construction or another with his meccano set. He would not give up until the last piece was in the right place. This epitomised one of his finest qualities, namely that he was a builder, a creator of things. As a child he loved to build model aeroplanes and ships; he built kites and loved to fly them on the lawns of the Union Buildings in Pretoria. But most importantly he built solid relationships and life-long friendships – he built bridges between people and he built a precious life for himself and his family in the Land of his Dreams – Eretz Yisroel. He built choirs and created beautiful music and song. Whatever he did, he did with love, commitment and PASSION. He was scrupulous and meticulous in every task he tackled down to the minutest detail.
He taught me by example that one cannot be “parev” about life. Malcolm had strong convictions and an unwavering sense of what was right and wrong; an extreme sense of justice and fairness for all, on a level that I have seldom encountered. No matter how lowly or simple another human being may be, he treated every single person with the same degree of respect and the same ‘kavod’ (honour).He would take anyone under his wing who was less enabled or with fewer opportunities in life – it was important to Malcolm that every person should have a sense of self-worth and dignity. He spent many hours treating the elderly at Our Parents’ home and the children at the Selwyn Segal Hostel.
Like Moshe Rabbeinu our Moshe Meir was the humblest of men – no one heard about his ‘good deeds’ or sacrifices, and there were many. Not many people knew the extent of his talents and creativity as he never liked to speak about himself. His greatest joy and ‘nachas’ was to take pride in other people’s achievements – in my musical achievements and those of his own children.
One doesn’t usually use the word “beauty” when referring to a man, but Malcolm had a beauty that radiated from within and on the outside. He combined the Sephirot of Chesed and Gevurah –great kindness together with self-restraint, resulting in a man of great Tiferet (Beauty)
This beauty manifested in Malcolm’s generosity of spirit – his Lev Tov. Nothing was ever too much for him when it came to helping others. He only saw the goodness in people and the concept of Lashan Hara was completely foreign to him.
Music for Malcolm was not only his great passion and love, but he served Hashem through music and song. Hashem gave him a precious gift which he in turn offered back to Him in his Divine Service through Songs of Praise.
We have had so many unanswered questions about the tragic circumstances of the past many months. It has been a tremendous test of our faith.
I read a story of the Alter Rebbe (the Founder of Chabad Chassidus) which may help. The Alter Rebbe was challenged to answer some difficult questions. He agreed to give a lecture on the subject under discussion but when he got to the shul he announced that instead of giving a lecture and the answers to the questions he would sing a ‘niggun’ for it says in the Mishna on Shabbos, ‘kol baalei shir yotzim b’shir v’nishomo-chim b’shir. Certain neshomas serve Hashem through Music. They are led by song and are elevated by song”.
Then the Rebbe began to sing a niggun that came from the depths of his heart. The notes of the song entered the hearts of everyone present. People felt themselves transported away, elevated to a world of unity and calm with hearts filled with love and they became totally absorbed in their innermost thoughts.
Needless to say that by the time the Rebbe finished singing, no one had any more questions and people realized that there was a deeper and higher level of understanding than they had ever known before.
IYH, G-d willing, we will be able to reach that higher level of understanding.
The Mechilta says- there are 10 songs beginning with the Song of the Sea led by Moshe and concluding with the tenth song which will be sung by Moshiach.
Malcolm (Moshe) may have sung his last song for now, but we pray that very soon we will hear that 10th song with the full backing of the most wonderful choirs including Ra’anana, Sydenham, and together with Chaim Moshe Meir (Malcolm) and our late father, Dave Zaidel in full and magnificent voice. Malcolm used to sing for the angels – the angels are now singing for our Malcolm.
Then we won’t only read and learn and believe in Ge'ula but we will all experience it ourselves immediately with the coming of Moshiach now!!
"A Rainbow of Sounds," in memory of Malcolm