I have met many people and figures of high status who were aware of the weight and meaning of each word they said and decision they made. How much they could contribute justice, honesty, and light to the world. But their immense responsibility sometimes came with a sense of grandiosity or even arrogance.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
Thanks to God and various circumstances, I had the privilege of knowing Mr. Sheldon Adelson (Shalom Gedaliah). One of his most notable qualities was his ability to project friendship and warmth from the first meeting, as if we were already old friends. He took an honest, human interest, the kind that made you feel as if you were sitting with someone who wanted to help, be a partner, and add goodness and light to the world. The most important thing for him was to see a smile light up people's faces, and make people smile in happiness.
He reflected his Jewish name "Shalom Gedaliah," (greatness and peace). Not long ago, we read in the Torah about the passing of the saintly Joseph. If we look for a figure in Jewish history that parallels the life of Mr. Adelson, it would be Joseph.
The early part of his life wasn't easy. He was a shepherd whose brothers didn't like him and sent him down into a hole. He was exiled, he was a slave, he was put in prison on despicable charges, and only later he achieved greatness. Our sages say of the Torah portion that describes Joseph in Egypt that "it announces the righteousness of Joseph, who was his father's shepherd, and even though he was named king of Egypt, he remained Joseph in his righteousness."
Joseph was "righteous" in every situation of his life, even when he was a simple shepherd and when he was on top. He was righteous not only in the sense of "a righteous man," but also in the sense of "justice," as justice and integrity guided him throughout all the upheavals of his life. Joseph fed everyone, saved the world from hunger, was always there for everyone. He wanted to be good to others, to see them happy … because he followed the path of justice.
Concern for others, feeling others' pain, always helping everyone – that was the life path of the late Mr. Adelson. In one of our meetings, Mr. Adelson told me that one of his dreams was to visit Russia, and I thank God that dream of his was fulfilled.
Despite the physical difficulty with which he moved, he tried to visit all the Jewish community's institutions. No one could have been happier than he was when he spoke warmly to every single child at the Children's Home, when he met with elderly people at a day center. These meetings were as important and valuable to him as the meetings we arranged for him with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
There is a saying in Hassidic Judaism: "The higher you are, the lower you go." But as great as he was, he managed to connect with people who were low.
I was amazed to see a person leverage every opportunity and meeting to serve his brothers in Zion. With wisdom and a wealth of experience, he came up with amazing ideas about how to bring peace and brotherhood to the world. I saw how President Putin wondered at the insights he had on every subject of their conversation.
There is no doubt that his wife, Dr. Miriam Adelson, played a part in his success. He made every decision after consulting with her. Thanks to her, he added love for the Holy Land to everything else that is precious to us.
My hope for his children, of whom he was so proud, is that they carry on his blessed activity and great vision, and that we soon have the privilege of a perfect redemption.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
