A letter from Dennis Rosen, with whom Arthur shared many Shabbos lunches and walks.
Dear Gail, Jonathan, Alison, Andrew, and Les,
When I first learned that Art has passed away I decided to write some of the things I learned from observing or listening to him. These are lessons that will live with me for a lifetime. I'd like to share these with you.
Never care about receiving honor for yourself. Always care about giving honor to others.
Look at others' positive qualities, not their faults.
Look for the positive potential in others and nurture it.
Reach out to others and demonstrate the beauty of Judaism. Encourage them with kindness, friendship, love and positive reinforcement.
Be grateful to Hashem for the many blessings He bestows. Concentrate on what you have, not what you lack.
Don't swear the small stuff.
Exercise restraint and judgment in speech, especially when under stress.
Dedicate yourself to regular Torah study. Be consistent, study with effort and intensity and review on a regular basis.
When you pray, concentrate, focus and pray with fervor. Always remember to daven for people who are in distress.
Show appreciation to others. Be lavish with praise and generous with sincere compliments.
Give special love and respect to senior citizens.
Visit the sick.
Don't overlook a single opportunity to do and act of chesed. Little acts of kindness count for much. Even a seemingly small act can have a big impact.
Look at each situation or challenge as an opportunity to connect to Hashem by demonstrating Torah values, especially in difficult situations. The more difficult the situation, the greater the potential for growth and Kiddush Hashem.
In each situation try to determine how to serve hashem. Leverage each moment to improve your character traits, to do a mitzvah or to perform an act of kindness. In this way you actualize the inherent potential for kedushah in each situation.
Always be vigilant against the yetzer hara, who will use any and all means to divert you from your mission.
Show a genuine and sincere interest in other.
Seek and follow the advice of rabbis and teachers.
Leave your ego aside and keep your focus on serving Hashem. Exercise patience and always judge other favorably.
As you plan or perform each activity no matter how mundane, contemplate how you are serving Hashem. In this way you sanctify mundane activities and transform them into holy pursuits.
Activity look for opportunities to be of service.
Trust in Hashem. He controls everything and every event has a purpose as part of His plan.
Focus on each day in its time. Don't dissipate your emotional or physical resources worrying about future events that are beyond your control.
Pursue peaceful and harmonious interpersonal relations at home and in all business, religious, and social activities.
May we dedicate ourselves to following the wonderful example Art showed in these and other areas. In doing so I believe that we can honor his memory, become better and perform Hashem's work. Moreover, from Art's vantage point he will derive great pleasure and satisfaction in watching us. In turn, his soul will be elevated to even higher levels in the next world.
I hope these words bring you some small measure of comfort.
