One image burns in my head - when Eli finished paratroop training and we came to the inauguration at the Western Wall. It was pretty close to our arrival in the country and I was about 13 years old. An American boy who knew nothing suddenly sees his big brother a heroic soldier, his heart exploded with pride.
And another picture - I had the privilege of studying with Eli Chevruta, for a short period of time, when he studied law with Rabbi Nehemiah Goldberg in Mea Shearim.
We were some weird birds because most of the students were anxious.
Eli was sharp and understood everything right away. For me everything was a few levels above my head. He invested a lot of time in me and I was afraid that because of this he would not be able to prepare for Rabbi Nehemiah's lesson which required extensive prior knowledge.
Not to worry - he knew everything and excelled, and when he had to delve deeper into the babbling, Rabbi Nehemiah would turn to him. R. Eli he happened to him. He was his favorite.
One crocheted dome in a sea of black domes.
Aaron Horowitz
