Moshe Feldenkrais died on July 1, 1984.
In Judaism, the anniversary of someone’s death—their yahrtzeit (pronounced your*tzite)—has traditionally been considered more significant than their birthday, especially in terms of religious observance and commemoration. While birth recognizes the beginning of someone’s life and all the potential it implies, historically, their yahrtzeit has been seen as more spiritually significant. That is because it’s a time to honor the deceased’s memory, reflect on their accomplishments and impact, and perform good deeds in their name.
Following Jewish tradition, the essential first step to ensure proper observance is calculating the date according to the Hebrew calendar. This year, that date is July 7th. (If you would like to know the date for the next 20 years, please click here.)
Common practices for marking someone’s yahrtzeit include lighting a memorial candle, reciting the Mourner’s Kaddish prayer, visiting the gravesite, etc. Specific observances vary based on family customs, community traditions, and personal preferences. The key is to honor the memory of the deceased and reflect on their life and impact.
According to the Arukh HaShulchan, an overview of Jewish law written by Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein at the end of the 19th century:
We are not to cry, nor are we to mourn.
Rather, we are to be inspired.
We should learn from a life that is no longer.
We should take action on the merit of the departed,
which complements those good deeds the departed did while alive.
By doing so, we are not only perpetuating a memory,
but we are keeping the good deeds alive as well.
I am sharing this quote with you because it resonates with Moshe’s interest in and emphasis on action. Let’s take inspiration from Moshe’s life and make a commitment to commemorate his yahrtzeit this year. What will you do?
Please share your plans to honor Moshe’s memory in the comments section.
Alissa Goldring took the photo of Moshe working with a student, most likely at Moshe’s first Esalen Institute workshop in 1971. (Because the quality of the image was poor, I edited it.) The quote from Aruch HaShulchan comes from an article about how to remember the deceased on torah.org. Finally, the photo of the memorial Yizkor candle is from Etsy.
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Responses:
Donna Ray -July 02, 2024
Thank you Larry. I appreciate your suggestion to take action in celebration of life. Moshe’s and others. Also glad your advanced training in Vienna was successful. The students learned and enjoyed!
Larry Goldfarb -July 03, 2024
Thank you, Roberta!
Alan Fraser -July 02, 2024
Thank you, Larry. This year to honour Moshe's memory I will publish another book describing how his method can empower pianists through interactions specific to how the human hand works on key.
Larry Goldfarb -July 02, 2024
It's been forty years. Seems like that's a anniversary worth reflecting on and commerating.
Jerome Karzen -July 04, 2024
thank you for the yorzeit reminder. Jerry Karzen
Larry Goldfarb -July 02, 2024
Lovely.
Larry Goldfarb -July 02, 2024
Deidre - Thank you for responding to my query! Love the actions you propose. Gratefully, Larry
Larry Goldfarb -July 03, 2024
Thank you, dear Sibyl!
Lucy DuBose -July 03, 2024
Larry, this was a lovely offering from you--it was such an honor to work with him just for a weekend. His influence continues. Thank you. Lucy in Austin
Moira Bayne -July 02, 2024
A beautiful reminder Larry!
roberta-perlman -July 03, 2024
Thank you for this moving post and wonderful photo 🙏🏼
Sibyl Kneihs-Urbancic -July 02, 2024
Thank you, dear Larry. Sibyl
Deidre Sklar -July 02, 2024
Larry, thank you! I saw this just as I was about to go into my Zoom class. We could kvell together over Moshe's gift to us, celebrate his legacy and jump into frog legs! With gratitude and appreciation. Deidre
Stacy Barrows -July 05, 2024
Beautiful, still a journey of learning.
Larry Goldfarb -July 02, 2024
Thank you for letting me know what you're doing to commemerate Moshe's 40th yahrtzeit, Alan.
Natala Goodman -July 01, 2024
Awwwww, what memories! Natala Goodman
Larry Goldfarb -July 05, 2024
Thank you so much, Norma. I am most grateful for your acknowledgement and appreciation.
Larry Goldfarb -July 03, 2024
You're so right, Stacy. Thank you.
Norma Leistiko -July 02, 2024
I wish I were wealthy; I would totally support you by a large monthly/yearly income for the rest of your life...for all the good work you do. You are essential to this work. My best, always, Norma
bruni.castejon@yahoo.es -July 02, 2024
"All my respects to Moshe, and personally his method and wisdom help me to understand life much better, not only better physically but much deeper in the mind. Beautiful, still a journey of learning very well said, Stacy Barrows. Thank you Larry for sharing.
Larry Goldfarb -July 02, 2024
Thank you, Donna! Thankfully, a few folks took me up on my invitation to share the actions they plan for commemerating Moshe's life. And, yes, the course I gave in Vienna~to your gratudates (and others) is probably one of the best I've ever taught. I'm still improving. ;-)
Larry Goldfarb -July 02, 2024
Thanks, Moira! (I'm curious: What will you do to commemerate Moshe's 40th yahrtzeit?)
Larry Goldfarb -July 03, 2024
Yes, indeed, Natala! And, if I may add something, the blog was meant as inspiration and instigation. Meaning that it's not enough to remember the past, but to consider what each of us - and perhaps all of us - can do now, in this present moment, to commemorate and honor Moshe's contributions to developing human potential.
Larry Goldfarb -July 03, 2024
Thank you, Bruni, for highlighting what Stacy wrote.
Larry Goldfarb -July 02, 2024
Hello Lucy - How wonderful that you had the opporunity to work with Moshe firsthand. Taking what you learned into your work with yourself and your students is perhaps one of the finest ways of commenerating him and his method. I'm pretty sure that was his aim in sharing it.
Larry Goldfarb -July 04, 2024
Wow, how exciting a-n-d relevant, Marina! I wish you an engaging and easy time writing. Can't wait to read what you put together.
marina -July 01, 2024
working on paper indicating the scientific advances that are validating Moshe's theories.
christiane-glaser -July 03, 2024
Dear Larry, so nice to hear from you. I want to thank you for reminding me of this important date, I will light a candle for this genius teacher, who gave us such a great method of lifelong learning : ) Many greetings to you, take care and be blessed, Christiane
Manuela Scheu -July 02, 2024
I will go hiking and singing
Mara Fusero -July 04, 2024
Thank you Larry...I have already celebrated and honored Moshè by offering 5 ATM's classes accompanying them with a still vivid memory of July 1 1984. In July 1984 forty years ago, I attended my first "long" seminar with Myriam Pfeffer, in Verneuil-sur-Avre in Normandy. Too late for me to go to Amherst and I didn't want to miss the opportunity for full immersion in awareness through movement and the French language – at the time, the only foreign language available to me. They were incredible days, full of personal discoveries, emotions, contacts. At the time it was already known that Moshe Feldenkrais was not well but when, on July 1, 1984, Myriam entered the room and announced the master's passing, a deep sadness fell on her. The minute of silence dedicated to him gave me the feeling of being at the beginning of something that would give me a great responsibility. I felt it as the beginning of a journey in which I would try to fully assimilate everything that Moshe offered me, in order to be able to share it with many. The possibility of learning to learn from myself, together with Moshe, Myriam and all the other "facilitators" of the method that I was lucky enough to meet on this path is what I now try to teach with Feldenkrais. This journey of mine has now lasted for 40 years; I walked some parts alone, some together with other people, driven by the same interest, curiosity and passion for discovery. I am grateful for everything I have learned so far, everyone I have met and everything that is to come. And, after 40 years, I am still here, with the same curiosity, passion and spirit of research: I love what I do, I love what the method allows me to do, I love sharing and continuing to learn, together with others. To share the lively and profound emotion of that distant 1st July 1984, I propose, on Monday 1st July 2024, 5 different ATM lessons on the Zoom platform open to all.
Larry Goldfarb -July 05, 2024
Hello Christiane - Thanks. It's good to back at the keyboard. Thank you for taking me up on my request to share what you're doing to commemerate Moshe's 40th yahrtzeit. Onward. Together, Larry
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