Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumI received this email from Joe's campaign yesterday
It is so typical of the many stories I have read about him. So many people don't realize what kind of person he really is.
The story Im about to share with you about Joe Biden is special -- in fact, Im fairly certain Im the only living person left who actually witnessed it firsthand.
It was about 16 years ago, and I was a young rabbi, brand-new to Delaware, on my way to lead a shiva minyan -- a worship service following a death of a Jewish person. I was from California. Back then, I didnt know Claymont, Delaware from Scranton, Pennsylvania.
A quick bit of background: When someone passes away in the Jewish faith, we observe seven days of mourning, called shiva. We gather a group of ten Jewish adults together -- a minyan -- to say the Mourners Kaddish. It usually happens in a persons home -- somewhere intimate.
In this case, the deceased individual -- her name was Mrs. Greenhouse, of blessed memory -- had not been a person of means. She had lived in rent-controlled senior housing in a tall high-rise building off of Namaans Road. Her apartment had been too small to fit everyone into, so we conducted our worship service in the buildings communal laundry room, in the basement of the high-rise.
We assembled the ten elders together, and it was in this most humble of places that I began to lead the kaddish. Toward the end of the service, a door at the back of the laundry room opened, and who walks in but Senator Joe Biden, his head lowered, all by himself.
I nearly dropped my prayer book in shock.
Senator Biden stood quietly in the back of the room for the duration of the service.
At the close of the kaddish, I walked over to him and asked the same question that must have been on everyone elses mind: Senator Biden -- what are you doing here?
And he said to me: Listen, back in 1972, when I first ran for Senate, Mrs. Greenhouse gave $18 to my first campaign. Because thats what she could afford. And every six years, when Id run for reelection, shed give another $18. She did it her whole life. Im here to show my respect and gratitude.
Now, the number 18 is significant in the Jewish faith -- its numbers spell out the Hebrew word chai, as in to life, to life, lchayim! But its also a humble amount. Joe Biden knew that. And he respected that.
There were no news outlets at our service that day -- no Jewish reporters or important dignitaries. Just a few elderly mourners in a basement laundry room.
Joe Biden didnt come to that service for political gain. He came to that service because he has character. He came to that service because hes a mensch.
And if we need anything right now when it comes to the leadership of our country -- we need a mensch.
I know this is such a simple, small story. But I tell it to as many people as will listen to me.
Because I think that, in their heart of hearts, when people are trying to think about the decision theyll make this year -- this is the kind of story that matters.
Joe Biden is a mensch. We need a mensch.
Thanks for reading.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
The Magistrate
(96,043 posts)I am going to have to actually start to like this fella.
It's not easy to get a bit of water in my eyes....
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
PatSeg
(49,725 posts)more times than I can count. I went through a lot of tissue reading his book "Promises to Keep" years ago. I've never known a politician who can affect me that way.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Thekaspervote
(34,666 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
PatSeg
(49,725 posts)Hopefully more people will get to hear them. He is an extraordinary person, often under appreciated.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
CTyankee
(65,056 posts)I remember that from somewhere. This story brought that saying to mind.
What a decent man.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)....and was thinking of posting it here, decided to forego. What a story. He probably didn't even want to be seen in the back of the room.
Reminds me of a story about my father's wake 15 years ago, but I'll save that for another time.
Yes indeed, Joe Biden is a mensch!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
PatSeg
(49,725 posts)this one really touched me deeply. I posted it on several groups on Facebook and so far, I've gotten really positive reactions. The trolls didn't bother to make snarky remarks, which is unusual.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Stuart G
(38,726 posts)of his/her way to help and be nice to all kinds of people.. "Mensch" is a very special word to describe the very best of humanity. When you refer to someone as a "mensch" it is one of the highest compliments that you can give to a person. Another aspect of the word "mensch" is that the person is.. not interested in personal gain or reward of any kind, just trying to help & respect people at that moment for whatever reason is present at that moment.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
That really describes Joe, so rare to find in a politician.
Okay, now I need another tissue.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
showblue22
(1,026 posts)Joe is a good man.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(154,590 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden