Two years earlier, in 1609, Hudson sailed to the Americas to find a northwest passage to Asia after repeatedly failing in his efforts to find a northeast ocean passage. Exploring the North American coast, he entered the present-day Chesapeake, Delaware and New York bays, and then became the first European to ascend what is now called the Hudson River. His voyage, which was financed by the Dutch, was the basis of Holland’s later claims to the region.
His fourth expedition, financed by adventurers from England, set out from London on April 17, 1610. Sailing back across the Atlantic, Hudson resumed his efforts to find the northwest passage. Between Greenland and Labrador he entered the present-day Hudson Strait and by it reached Hudson Bay. After three months of exploration, the Discovery was caught too far from open sea when winter set in, and in November Hudson’s men were forced to haul it ashore and set up a winter camp. Lacking food or supplies, the expedition greatly suffered in the extreme cold. Many of the crew held Hudson responsible for their misfortune, and on June 22, 1611, with the coming of summer, they mutinied against him. The Discovery later returned to England, and its crew was arrested for the mutiny. Although Henry Hudson was never seen again, his discoveries gave England its claim to the rich Hudson Bay region.
To give his Neshama some sense of Nechama and peace, a river in Manhattan was named in his memory, as was a parkway that leads to Riverdale [it actually starts at west 72nd street in Manhattan which is the exact street where I grew up] where on Henry Hudson Parkway a lot of well to do Jews do a lot of mitzvos which are certainly a zchus for his Neshama.
This includes the billionaire Ghermezian family who has a daily minyan in their home that includes a live stream from the Kotel. So Hudson Parkway is connected to Jerusalem. I went there a number of times on important shnorring expeditions [thank G-d I wasn't in a ship!! After what happened to Hudson - you never know!!]. I only remember that he had me give a post Shachris dvar Torah that he told me to keep it short. With the amount of shiurim I have on line, he could clearly tell that this was a due who likes the sound of his own voice. I did [keep it short - and like the sound of my voice] and he gave me a hundred dollars. I told him that for another thousand or for a 10 percent share in the American Dream Mall, I would be willing to share another Torah thought. He demurred. [I made up the last part. Partly b/c I don't even know what "demurred" means and partly b/c I wouldn't have spoken for anything less than a 20 percent share]. His holy Rebbetzin, who doesn't look or act like one might think a billionaire should [very modest and pashut], acted very motherly and caringly to me in the spirit of Sarah our mother and I stayed on her invitation for a delicious breakfast where I ate with Mr. G. I hung out in the kitchen and made myself at home. They never kicked me out but I figured out on my own that it was really time to go. It doesn't look like I will ever be returning, so if you ever see the Ghermezians - send Love from Elchonon 馃槉馃挋.
Mussar Haskel 1: OK - Mutiny Shmutiny!!! But setting him and his young son adrift and seven other men in a small open boat is going too far.
Mussar Haskel 2: A hundred bucks from a billionaire???!! Find another job!!!
