The American Spectator

/p>

These twelve decent men form a jury of our peers. Are we equal to being judged by them? We can look to them, their acceptance of life in all its obligation and death in all its abrogation, and learn a great deal. Perhaps this what the Talmud (Sabbath 105b) means when it promises: “Whoever cries for a decent man, God forgives all their sins.” By showing that deep down we admire decency, we show that all the foolishness that we too often pursue is not an expression of our true essence.

It is important for us as individuals and as a society to always value such people. They constitute a national treasure, a fine expression of our humanity. We sit surrounded by their handiwork; we use their products everywhere; we walk upon the earth underneath which they toil; their memory must be always alive in our consciousness. As the Talmud goes on to add: “Whoever sheds tears for a decent person, God counts them and places them in His special storehouse, as it is said, ‘You recount my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle, are they not in Your book?’ (Psalms 56:8)”

Let us shed some tears, my friends. For the good folks who build our country, who enhance our lives, every single day. And for the simple virtues of heart and hearth that they embody, which were modeled for us so poignantly by these twelve decent men.

p> em>”On some fond breast the parting soul relies, br> Some pious drops the closing eye requires; br> Ev’n from the tomb the voice of Nature cries, br> Ev’n in our ashes live their wonted fires.” /em> /p>