For What it’s Worth: Warren Hecht

There are two significant issues that are anticipated to be decided by the Supreme Court this year. The first is Trump’s claim of absolute presidential immunity. I will not spend that much time on that claim since I would not be surprised if it is rejected by a unanimous Supreme Court.  As the special counsel argued, Trump’s argument, if accepted, would allow a President who orders the National Guard to murder his most prominent critics to be immune from criminal prosecution.

My paternal grandparents died nine years, and two days apart, based on the Jewish calendar. It continued to the next generation. My mother died eight days short of thirteen years after my father passed away, based on the secular calendar, and two weeks before based on the Jewish calendar. This is not so uncommon. It makes sense. I remember dreading the days leading up to Chanukah because it reminded me that my father’s Yahrzeit was coming; how much more would the spouse of the deceased be suffering.

By the time this column is published, I will be finished with shloshim for my mother. I would like to thank those who learned Mishnayos in her memory. Of the 23 days from shivah to the end of shloshim, I had Covid for 12 of them. Instead of complaining, I will follow my mother’s tradition of maintaining a positive attitude. At first glance, in our times it does not seem possible. I expect the usual suspects will mock or ridicule some of my comments. 

I am writing this column right after getting up from shiv’ah. The people who came to be menachem aveil (consoling the mourner) have left. Those who came to help make sure that we had a minyan for all three daily davenings had left. The items supplied by Misaskim were taken back. For them, life has gone back to the way it was. For me it has not. I was debating whether or not to write about my mother, Etta Hecht. Someone suggested that I wait until shloshim (30 days after burial) to give me more time. I decided to accept the suggestion, but I want to make certain observations relating to shiv’ah and the last few days of my mother’s life.

I am writing this column after having tested positive for Covid almost a week ago. Last week was the yahrzeit for my father and at the same time it was the shloshim for my mother. I felt tired the night after the yahrzeit. I thought it was due to the psychological effect of having to deal with both the yahrzeit and the shloshim and a particularly stressful workday. Then the next morning, I had similar symptoms to when I had Covid in the past. I tested and sure enough, was positive.

My position generally is that as an American, I do not believe it is my place to criticize Israel’s government. When it comes to the hostage deal, I will not even attempt to state an opinion except to note that no deal is perfect. It is such a complex issue with competing interests. There is the interest of reducing the number of military casualties and winning the war against the lives of the hostages. If the war stops even for a few days, it will be harder to restart it. On the other hand, it is important to bring home the innocent hostages taken by Hamas and may defuse criticism of Israel’s conduct in fighting the war against Hamas. There will be those who blame the one-sided Gilad Shalit trade for the attack and taking of hostages. On its face, the Shalit trade was a bad deal. However, in a country where many citizens are in the military, it is important to gain the release of the captive soldier no matter what the cost.