[PW] Elizier Ben Yehuda

[burchell at telusplanet.net]

Hi!
Over 50 years ago, rummaging through a second hand store, I found a box of what 
appeared to be brand new books, priced at .15 cents each. I purchased several,
one of which was a biography of Elizier Ben Yehuda (if I am not spelling his 
name correctly, my apologies). I found the book quite fascinating and kept it 
for many years. After leaving the Navy I moved to Calgary and worked for a 
year at the Canadian Pacific Express - just down the street there was a small
delicatessan owned by a Russian Jewish couple newly arrived from Russia. They
had purchased the deli based on their experience in Europe, where before 
boarding the train, everyone would buy a loaf of bread and some sort of 
ingredients for a sandwich. Such not being the case in Canada, they were
quite disappointed with their business. I went there every day for lunch and
we became friends. I mentioned the book to him and he expressed an interest
in reading it. I was pleased to lend it to him as I had discovered that he
was a biblical scholar of impressive knowledge. We had many discussions 
during the year that I worked there. I joined the Alberta Forest Service
and never saw him again. I later loaned the book to another Jewish 
gentleman who never returned it to me. Elizier's work ethic mantra still
rings in my mind: "THE DAY IS SO SHORT & THE WORK TO BE DONE IS SO GREAT!"
I am curious to know if he is still honoured and remembered as he should
be in Israel today? I for one, certainly hope so.
Cheers,
Jim