Part II
Once when talking with Yehiel Kadishai about Begin’s sensitive Jewish heart, the long-time secretary and confidante of the late Prime Minister remarked: “Let me tell you how Begin began his workday when he was Prime Minister. Many people turned to him, in letters or otherwise, to help them or to intervene in their behalf. Every day, first thing in the morning, Begin would get in touch with institutions, municipal agencies, government offices or wherever he thought could be of assistance, urging them to do their utmost to solve the problems or difficulties of those who had appealed to him. This he did, every day, first thing in the morning before he attended to his official business.”
Even after he withdrew from public life and lived in seclusion, Begin continued to receive letters and appeals from private persons, asking for help. Until the last days of his life, he made efforts to assist those who turned o him.
Concern for the individual is the test of leadership. Only one who is sincerely interested in the well being of every individual, can be a true and dedicated leader of his people. Menachem Begin was such a man.
Much has been written about his attitude to and regard for the “little people” in his office: the cleaning women, the lady who served tea and others. He would greet them with much ado, enquire about their well being and that of their families. When they happened to enter his office while he was receiving guests, he would introduce them to the latter and speak in their praise.
A Yemenite girl in her 20s, who worked in Begin’s office as a typist, told Begin biographer Ned Temko (author of To Win Or To Die – An Intimate Portrait of Menachem Begin): Even if there were important aides around him – if I was there he gave me a personal greeting. He’d say it to me especially, as if I were someone important.”
“He made us feel important,” this you heard time and again from the “Little people” who served Begin or worked for him.
Maariv’s Yossi Harif told the story of a Yemenite who was the driver for Begin and other Prime Ministers in the last 20 years. He once drove Begin to a state dinner in the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. In the midst of the affair, Begin rose from the head table, left the hall and began looking for the driver who was waiting around in one of the anterooms. “What happened,” the surprised driver asked. “I just wanted to make sure that you have been served food,” the Prime Minister replied. “I never met a person like Begin,” the driver told the Maariv correspondent.
Rabbi Yaakov Rakovsky, the chaplain of the Hadassah medical centers became friends with Begin when the latter was hospitalized. He told Yifat Baer of Hatzofeh some “little” stories – which were, indeed great ones — about the late Prime Minister.
Dr. Sylvan Lavy, a neurologist of Hadassh died at the young age of 52. About half a year before his death he treated Begin. When Rabbi Rakovsky came to the funeral, he was shocked to see Begin, who only a short time before had recuperated, participating as pall bearer. He rushed to him and begged,”Please leave the coffin. Take care of yourself. You are the Prime Minister. Our people needs you.”
All his entreaties were of no avail. Begin answered: “Let me carry the coffin. This man attended to me day and night with the utmost devotion. I owe it to him. Precisely because I am the Prime Minister I owe him this honor, the honor that the Prime Minister carries his coffin and pays him the last respects.”
Here is another great story told by Rabbi Rakovsky.
When he was hospitalized, Begin was greatly touched by the extraordinary dedication of his physiotherapist. He told her “I hope I shall soon participate in your wedding. I promise you that I will come to your Huppa from wherever I might be.”
Several months later the physiotherapist was married in the Hadassah chapel. Begin, as always kept his promise . He arrived in a wheel chair! His bodyguard physically carried the man who had broken his hip, from the chair to the place of the Huppa.
Rabbi Rakovsky greeted Begin with a play on words: “You know there is a chapter in the Talmud called Keitzad HaRegel (the first Mishna of the chapter speaks of damages caused by an animal’s foot. The two words Ketzad HaRegl, literally translated, can also mean: How is the foot? the question with which the rabbi wanted to greet Begin).
“Of course, I know,” Begin replied. “This is the second chapter of the tractate of Bava Kamma.” Begin who knew that the rabbi was a very studious man, added: “Kvod HaRav (honorable rabbi). Do you still study? Keep on studying, spread Torah!”
“I called upon Begin to recite the last two of the seven blessings of the marriage service,” Rabbi Rakovsky concluded.
(To be continued)
The Jewish Press, Friday, April 10, 1992