After a stormy session Monday evening, the Tel Aviv city council voted 13 to 7 to sanction the introduction of Shabbos public transport on the city’s streets. So far, this has been prevented by the status quo agreement, a political understanding between religious and secular political parties not to alter public affairs in relation to religious matters. The agreement originated in a letter David Ben Gurion sent to Agudas Yisroel in 1947.

“He was life itself,” said Rav Dovid Cohen, rov of Congregation Gevul Yaavetz and an old, dear friend of Rav Avner German zt”l.

He lived a life of true chaim – “ki heim chayeinu.” He took his deep love of Torah and enriched everyone he met. He was a kiruv pioneer who engaged in kiruv rechokim more than sixty years ago when the term was practically unknown. His kiruv was sharing his life, his chaim, his love of Hashem, and his love of Torah with his fellow Jews. His love of his fellow Jews and his love of Torah were the threads that ran through his entire life. He was so alive until virtually his last day. That is why it so difficult to internalize the fact that Rav German passed away this past Sunday.

With the recent rash of serious illnesses amongst the gedolei Yisroel, it is incumbent upon us all to cherish, value and, yes, respect our beloved leaders. They carry so much weight - our heavy burdens - on their shoulders. However, seven months ago, with the passing of three Torah giants, our most treasured gedolim were taken from us. And now, once again, we wait with anticipated breath for hopeful updates. So what can we do? How can we show the Ribbono Shel Olam how much we treasure our gedolim?

The answer is simple.