It became that much more meaningful the summer following the passing of Rav Avraham seven years ago

It’s the story of a tree, but really, it’s about so much more.

Rav Avraham Harari-Raful, brother of Chacham Yosef and a beloved rav in his own Brooklyn kehillah, would spend his summers at Camp Morris, sitting and learning under a particular tree, hour after hour. The picture of the revered talmid chacham, Gemara in front of him and look of perfect contentment on his face, was captured years back by Mishpacha’s Avraham Elbaz.

It became that much more meaningful the summer following the passing of Rav Avraham seven years ago, when the beautiful tree suddenly dried up and died. The tree was cut down, the stump a reminder about Torah and its capacity to give life.

This year, a new tree was planted in its space and the sons of Rav Avraham took their places, setting up the old table and learning there each day.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 826)