Dear Yaakov, Aharon, Efraim, Nehama, Aviva, Arlette, Rahel and all the extended family.
I received the sad news Rabbi Mordechai Zatsal “Alla Bameromim”to the Olam Shekulo Tov (a world that is all good). First, I and my family are extending to you our Deepest and Sincere Condolences, May Hashem Comfort you among all the Avelim in Am Israel. Mordechai, as I used to call him was my first cousin, but the exceptional bond we shared was more like a brother, and today I feel like part of my soul was taken away,  and I am mourning with you this big loss in our family. As you know, Mordechai was to my mother as a second son. I have only one brother and among all her numerous nephews and nieces, he is the only one to whom she told in person several times “Mordechai, I cherish you as much I cherish my son Yosef”.  Mordechai was exceptional not only as a “brilliant mind and Jewish scholar”, he was “Ish Shel Emett”, a man of truth (in fact the very meaning of his last name Abdelhak is “the servant of truth”).  His broad knowledge was not only in Judaic studies, but he always amazed me by his extensive knowledge in Sciences, Economics, Politics and so much more. In 1997, I came to the United States to work at the NIH in Maryland. Not understanding very well the American mentality and culture, I encountered many difficulties in my professional and personal life, as to the point of sinking in deep depression. Mordechai used to call me several times a day to lift my spirit and to give me a good advice. I used to refer to him as my “shrink”. Mordechai had this exceptional quality that he could read people’s mind, and in fact, in retrospect, among all the people I knew back then in the United States, he was the only one who could genuinely lift my spirit and make me feel better. He had this uncanny ability, to penetrate to the person’s heart through his words of his words of wisdom, sense of humor and what we call in Hebrew “Hochma Haim" (Wisdom of life). 
Yehi Zichro Baruch! 
Dody

 Chapel Service

Gutterman and Musicant Jewish Funeral Directors

Merdoche Abdelhak

immediate need

Death has occurred or is near

plan ahead

Pre-plan a funeral or cremation

Plan a Funeral or Cremation Default Desktop

Find Obituaries and Services

Send Flowers

sympathy and etiquette

grief library

celebrations of life

What to Say When Someone Dies

Show Your Support

Sympathy and Grief

obituary

services

memories

Obit Detail

In the care of

share to facebook

share by email

share link

Share Obituary

ideas and resources

Sympathy and Grief Mobile

OBITUARY

Rabbi Merdoche Abdelhak

July 6, 1940 – March 10, 2021

Gutterman and Musicant Jewish Funeral Directors

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services