A Widow Finds the Courage to Ask Forgiveness Decades After a Moment of Grief-Driven Pain

Rabbanit Bracha , I just read your Yizkor commentary containing news of the tragedy of your grandson's death and the subsequent pledge by your daughter and her husband in Yovel's name.

I’ve been thinking about something for years now. When our committee dined at my home on a Friday evening and you wanted to recite the Kiddush, I asked you not to you because I was always accustomed to having a man say it. Now I think that I was still mourning the loss of my husband, and the recitation of Kiddush, especially the way he did it, gave me a tangible link to his memory. I wanted a man to say it.

How terrible that was of me. I’ve thought about this often and wanted to approach you to apologize. This seems like the perfect opportunity. I am truly sorry I did that. Please forgive me.

NB It was never about me.