The Life Lessons Dovi Weinrott Will Never Forget

“I’m Dovi Weinroth, 42 years old, widower and father of three. Attorney, CPA, and writer for my own enjoyment. I live in Bnei Brak.”

A Distant Memory I Will Never Forget

“Many years ago, my sweet daughter Naomi and her mother handed out small challas to patients in the oncology ward. During the distribution they reached an elderly man who told her: ‘Child, you should know that in life, the most important thing is health.’

Naomi, who was only seven at the time, turned to her mother and asked, ‘Mom, may I answer him?’ Chani said yes, and Naomi told him: ‘Health isn’t the most important thing — joy is!’

To me, that was an incredibly powerful answer, and Chani was very proud because she had never taught her that before.”

An Important Principle I Will Never Forget

“Once, I met my late father when he was in a gloomy mood. It was right before a family summer vacation in Switzerland. I said to him, ‘Dad, don’t worry, soon we’ll fly to Switzerland and your mood will improve.’

He listened, and then told me a Midrash his Rosh Yeshiva — Rabbi Yidel Kolodetsky — had once shown him: There was a bird that smelled something foul, so it flew to another street to find a pleasant smell. But there too it smelled something bad. Then it flew to another city — the same smell. Eventually it decided to move countries entirely. But even there it smelled the same stench. Finally, the bird realized the smell was coming from itself.

The message, my father said, is that the real correction must always be internal. Salvation does not necessarily come from a different place.

We flew as planned and his mood improved wonderfully, but I walked away with a beautiful parable and a lifelong lesson: peace begins within me.”

A Mitzvah I Performed and Will Never Forget

“Not long ago I had almost 40°C (104°F) fever. I was exhausted, craving a Coke Zero. No one else was home, so with all my fatigue I forced myself to go buy one.

That evening I wasn’t planning to pray Maariv with a minyan. On my way to the store, my good inclination whispered: ‘Dovi, you can go buy a Coke Zero, but you can’t go pray with a minyan?’

I didn’t hesitate another second. My feet carried me straight to the synagogue. I prayed outside the room so as not to infect anyone, but both the prayer and the moral lesson were priceless.”

A Jewish Figure I Will Never Forget

“My grandfather, Moshe Aharon. He was incredibly strict about praying with a minyan — even when he could barely walk and needed close supervision to avoid falling.

I accompanied him almost every weekday night to Maariv. One night, after I lingered a bit talking to a friend, I suddenly noticed he had disappeared. I ran to search for him and found him walking alone through a dark shortcut between two buildings.

I called out: ‘Grandpa! Why are you walking alone?’ He looked at me with a piercing gaze and answered: ‘Dovi, I never walk alone.’

This man, who had endured countless hardships and wars, taught me that a Jew is never truly alone.”

A Torah Learning Moment I Will Never Forget

“I studied at the ‘Hayishuv’ high school yeshiva in Tel Aviv and was far from a top student.

During the summer break between 9th and 10th grade, we vacationed in Belgium. Each morning before touring, my father would study with us for an hour and a half. We learned Siman Aleph of the Kehilot Yaakov on Bava Batra. He explained it to me again and again, but I understood almost nothing. He grew frustrated, I was hurt, and refused to join the family trip that day.

They went out; I sat alone with paper and pen, helpless. I began summarizing the sugya, crying real tears as I tried to understand. Slowly, step by step, everything clicked — completely. I felt the gates of heaven open for me.

When my father returned and saw my summary, he couldn’t believe it. That day changed everything. My learning jumped several levels overnight — a kind of divine miracle. Back at school, I received excellent grades in almost every subject, Torah and secular alike. I remember that period as one of unmistakable divine presence in my life.”

A Moment of Fear I Will Never Forget

“The moment Judge Gilad Neutel announced my late father’s acquittal in his criminal trial. I can’t describe the fear beforehand or the joy afterward. Without thinking, I shouted loudly in the courtroom: ‘YESSS!’

It was embarrassing but completely understood by the judge and everyone present. And of course, one cannot help but draw a parallel to the fear of Judgment Day.”

A Book I Will Never Forget

“The one I wrote: ‘Tomorrow the Sun Will Rise.’ My soul is actually inside that book, and thankfully, heart feels heart. It has helped — and still helps — thousands of people live a richer, more meaningful life.”

A Difficult Event I Will Never Forget

“Of course — the day I received the diagnosis of my late wife Chani’s illness. For a long time I walked around with a stone in my stomach and an emotional rollercoaster. I wouldn’t wish those feelings on my worst enemies.”

A Shabbat or Holiday I Will Never Forget

“Shabbat morning, in the middle of Shacharit, after hearing about Chani’s illness — I walked out of the synagogue in tears.

On the street I encountered my beloved uncle, Tzvika, who had arrived late. He found me sitting on a bench, distraught. After I told him what happened, he said words only he could say in a way only he could say them: ‘Dovi, cry a bit — it’s okay. But remember one thing: you are the leader of your family. Everyone’s eyes are on you. If you collapse, they will collapse. If you lead with strength and good spirit, they will rise with you and support you in incredible ways.’

Thankfully, I internalized his words quickly. They became a turning point throughout Chani’s illness.”

A Longing I Will Never Forget

“I obviously have immense longing for my wife, Chani, and for all the incredible qualities she possessed.

There’s so much to say about her, but I’ll share one of her last requests: ‘Please be happy — not because I left, but because you are alive. After you meet the end, you learn to appreciate the middle and the beginnings.’”

A Sight I Will Never Forget

“I will always remember the moment my grandfather hesitated to enter my father’s German-made car.”

A Dream I Haven’t Fulfilled — and Won’t Forget

“To clearly memorize an entire long tractate of Gemara — with Rashi and Tosafot — so that wherever I am, I can review it again and again.

And… one more small dream I hope I won’t forget to fulfill: to get married.”