Friday, August 29, 2003
Sparks From Israel
The Love Parade
At the close of each summer is the city sponsored Love Parade. This festival gives the youth a chance to dance wildly all night and day and express their hedonism openly. But just like the inmates of Auschwitz who after concluding that G-d was dead broke off their discussions to pray Mincha (the afternoon prayer), so too, the city made sure that the party was over in time for many of these weekend Hedonists to be home for Shabbat. Oxymorons? Maybe.
Unlike the west where one’s Jewishness is expressed mostly by religious practice, here one’s bond to the Jewish people is national. The level of ones religious observance is not the determining factor of ones acceptance here, but rather ones choice to be part of the Jewish Nation, and to share in its destiny. Just as the Land beckons to love sick Jews from around the world to return, it also spits out those who don’t desire her, both religious and secular.
Those who dwell here, on the other hand, may fall into religion, or out of religion, or back again, but whatever point they are in, they are influencing the destiny of the Jewish Nation. There is a feeling of unity here that is not felt in the exile were everyone is completely free, and isolated, and to themselves. Here we are all traveling together and many worlds collide and overlap. For example the acid jazz beats and the psychedelic projection screens typical of a western ‘rave’ (dance party), are not so typical when the stage is also shared with the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, blending Vivaldi with two live tribal drummers and electronics. The sound is spectacular and even more spectacular is the lack of a generation gap.
The high security surrounding the fenced in festivities are also unique. At each entrance there are heavily armed soldiers as well as small squads that patrol the grounds. The soldiers and the young people inside are roughly the same ages 18-21. Outside of Israel, 18 year old hippies dancing to trance music and soldiers with guns and ammunition, are not from the same society. What is unique here however, is that many of those dancing and grooving all night, will don their uniforms the next day and report for duty. I watched one girl ask a policeman to let her ride with him on his motorcycle, so he took her for a spin and came back. The lack of separation between uniforms, roles, ages, kippas, no kippas, is something unique to Israel. A nation that dwells alone, yet always together.
The Love Parade
At the close of each summer is the city sponsored Love Parade. This festival gives the youth a chance to dance wildly all night and day and express their hedonism openly. But just like the inmates of Auschwitz who after concluding that G-d was dead broke off their discussions to pray Mincha (the afternoon prayer), so too, the city made sure that the party was over in time for many of these weekend Hedonists to be home for Shabbat. Oxymorons? Maybe.
Unlike the west where one’s Jewishness is expressed mostly by religious practice, here one’s bond to the Jewish people is national. The level of ones religious observance is not the determining factor of ones acceptance here, but rather ones choice to be part of the Jewish Nation, and to share in its destiny. Just as the Land beckons to love sick Jews from around the world to return, it also spits out those who don’t desire her, both religious and secular.
Those who dwell here, on the other hand, may fall into religion, or out of religion, or back again, but whatever point they are in, they are influencing the destiny of the Jewish Nation. There is a feeling of unity here that is not felt in the exile were everyone is completely free, and isolated, and to themselves. Here we are all traveling together and many worlds collide and overlap. For example the acid jazz beats and the psychedelic projection screens typical of a western ‘rave’ (dance party), are not so typical when the stage is also shared with the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, blending Vivaldi with two live tribal drummers and electronics. The sound is spectacular and even more spectacular is the lack of a generation gap.
The high security surrounding the fenced in festivities are also unique. At each entrance there are heavily armed soldiers as well as small squads that patrol the grounds. The soldiers and the young people inside are roughly the same ages 18-21. Outside of Israel, 18 year old hippies dancing to trance music and soldiers with guns and ammunition, are not from the same society. What is unique here however, is that many of those dancing and grooving all night, will don their uniforms the next day and report for duty. I watched one girl ask a policeman to let her ride with him on his motorcycle, so he took her for a spin and came back. The lack of separation between uniforms, roles, ages, kippas, no kippas, is something unique to Israel. A nation that dwells alone, yet always together.
Friday, August 22, 2003
Sparks from Israel
The Guard
There is a guard at the bank I frequent. The guard sits at the entrance and like every guard has a gun and just like every other guard checks bags and belongings before entering the bank. In all public places like shopping centers, post offices, wherever people gather, there are guards. The guards or ‘shomrim’ as they are called, are the unsung heroes of Israel. They are on the front lines, and often when death comes calling, they are the first victims. It is they who often shield others at the expense of their own lives.
You would think this work was very highly paid, but actually, they don’t really get paid too much. You can see on the faces of many guards, apprehension and attentiveness and I can imagine sometimes what they must think about. And so my favorite unsung hero at the bank does a good job as all other guards do. But there is something quite different about this guard.
In Canada, guards and policemen are a certain breed. But as I approach this one you can tell right away you are in Israel. My favorite guard is a sweet little Russian lady in her fifties. She sits and draws on her pad, and she is a very good artist. I say hello and ask to see her latest masterpiece. She gives me a big smile and tells me she is not so inspired yet, maybe later in the day. If she had to use her gun, I’m sure she would be a good shot and she’s not afraid. Nor is anyone else who comes in and out of the bank. There is no fear in Israel, only outside Israel. Here people watch over each other, while
they make paintings.
The Guard
There is a guard at the bank I frequent. The guard sits at the entrance and like every guard has a gun and just like every other guard checks bags and belongings before entering the bank. In all public places like shopping centers, post offices, wherever people gather, there are guards. The guards or ‘shomrim’ as they are called, are the unsung heroes of Israel. They are on the front lines, and often when death comes calling, they are the first victims. It is they who often shield others at the expense of their own lives.
You would think this work was very highly paid, but actually, they don’t really get paid too much. You can see on the faces of many guards, apprehension and attentiveness and I can imagine sometimes what they must think about. And so my favorite unsung hero at the bank does a good job as all other guards do. But there is something quite different about this guard.
In Canada, guards and policemen are a certain breed. But as I approach this one you can tell right away you are in Israel. My favorite guard is a sweet little Russian lady in her fifties. She sits and draws on her pad, and she is a very good artist. I say hello and ask to see her latest masterpiece. She gives me a big smile and tells me she is not so inspired yet, maybe later in the day. If she had to use her gun, I’m sure she would be a good shot and she’s not afraid. Nor is anyone else who comes in and out of the bank. There is no fear in Israel, only outside Israel. Here people watch over each other, while
they make paintings.
Sparks from Israel
Fulfillment
If I was too critical of the Galut last week, I apologize. I’m sure it isn’t easy to leave everything and travel into a dessert when you have a family and business and many securities that keep you. I luckily was one of those who was not so entrenched in the galut as most, and even for me who had little, the most difficult task was to leave my possessions and part from material ‘acquisitions’. Eventually everyone comes to Israel anyway. The midrash tells us that every Jewish neshama after it is buried will roll underground across the ocean to the land of Israel. I suppose our only choice is if we wish to experience Israel alive or dead.
Being currently alive, I must admit that the quality of life here is much better than anywhere I have been. And to me it seems that if our lives are so short its best to maximize every breath. But what is this quality of life? Is it sterling toilets and glatt kosher vacation cruises? To me, it seems clear that quality of life is dependent upon feeling that you are fulfilling the role you were created for. It’s not about what I have or have acquired for myself, but rather what I have acquired for the benefit of Israel, which benefits me as well. What I can now bring and give to something much greater than myself.
When I go to my Ulpan class, I feel like my new friends are all stars. Not Hollywood stars distinguished by fame and fortune, but rather Hashem’s stars, distinguished by their integrity. Most of the thirty students are not shomer mitzvot, yet they have the integrity and love of their land and people to leave their homes from all over the world and come now, in troubled times to add their spirit to our nation. Only recently at a going away party for a teacher, did I discover who these people were and what they left behind.
One classmate holds the highest-level black belt (by a Jew) in the world. Another was a famous attorney in France who fought Nazi hunters and now at 29 has left fame and fortune to join the Israeli army. At the retirement party the teacher cried, and said in all of her 20 years of teaching she never saw such a class. Every student arrives early eager to learn. They are all friends and are all-equal regardless of their positions in society. I told the teacher that the reason is partly the students, but also the times we live in.
There are many Israeli’s who want to leave Israel and go to America; they cannot understand olim chadashim who come at this time. But on the face of each Oleh, is hope and a dream and optimism. It is a time of such stark contrast, between the bewildered and the believers. I stand in awe and in wonder as I see blessings unfold before me and it seems that the confidence of these new dreamers of Zion is a breath of fresh air to those who forgot why they came and are suddenly reminded. To be part of something greater than yourself is the greatest achievement we can make.
Fulfillment
If I was too critical of the Galut last week, I apologize. I’m sure it isn’t easy to leave everything and travel into a dessert when you have a family and business and many securities that keep you. I luckily was one of those who was not so entrenched in the galut as most, and even for me who had little, the most difficult task was to leave my possessions and part from material ‘acquisitions’. Eventually everyone comes to Israel anyway. The midrash tells us that every Jewish neshama after it is buried will roll underground across the ocean to the land of Israel. I suppose our only choice is if we wish to experience Israel alive or dead.
Being currently alive, I must admit that the quality of life here is much better than anywhere I have been. And to me it seems that if our lives are so short its best to maximize every breath. But what is this quality of life? Is it sterling toilets and glatt kosher vacation cruises? To me, it seems clear that quality of life is dependent upon feeling that you are fulfilling the role you were created for. It’s not about what I have or have acquired for myself, but rather what I have acquired for the benefit of Israel, which benefits me as well. What I can now bring and give to something much greater than myself.
When I go to my Ulpan class, I feel like my new friends are all stars. Not Hollywood stars distinguished by fame and fortune, but rather Hashem’s stars, distinguished by their integrity. Most of the thirty students are not shomer mitzvot, yet they have the integrity and love of their land and people to leave their homes from all over the world and come now, in troubled times to add their spirit to our nation. Only recently at a going away party for a teacher, did I discover who these people were and what they left behind.
One classmate holds the highest-level black belt (by a Jew) in the world. Another was a famous attorney in France who fought Nazi hunters and now at 29 has left fame and fortune to join the Israeli army. At the retirement party the teacher cried, and said in all of her 20 years of teaching she never saw such a class. Every student arrives early eager to learn. They are all friends and are all-equal regardless of their positions in society. I told the teacher that the reason is partly the students, but also the times we live in.
There are many Israeli’s who want to leave Israel and go to America; they cannot understand olim chadashim who come at this time. But on the face of each Oleh, is hope and a dream and optimism. It is a time of such stark contrast, between the bewildered and the believers. I stand in awe and in wonder as I see blessings unfold before me and it seems that the confidence of these new dreamers of Zion is a breath of fresh air to those who forgot why they came and are suddenly reminded. To be part of something greater than yourself is the greatest achievement we can make.
Friday, August 15, 2003
Sparks From Israel
Mystical Sfat
I was in Sfat playing at the Klezmer festival, which was just packed with people, as are so many festivals that happen here each summer. Sfat is truly a mystic city and everyone you meet and all that occurs seems to be written from a movie script, the synchronicity is unbelievable. You think of someone and they appear, you pray for someone and they see you in their dreams. The current of life is threaded together by an unmistakingly divine hand.
The young generation of hippie shepherds, wanderers, and idealists that fall asleep on the grass after all night jam sessions, and the children who laugh and play in the morning, are all part of a Jewish world in its essence, unadulterated and pure. The thought of anyone wishing harm to these angelic beings seems so far from reality and so absurd. Who could wish to destroy the greatest good ever known?
Being in the city of dreams I thought I would share one with you. A friend I met here, shared an old dream from the exile, similar to dreams and thoughts I had before coming here. It was a dream about New York City being suddenly burned down in a few moments in an atomic attack. At the same time the Arabs attacked Israel, and under the circumstances Israel was able to finally fight back with the mighty hand they usually suppress. They bombed the dome of the rock, the Arabs ran away and we rebuilt the temple. In my friends dream, the gates opened and she was the first marriage to take place in the temple.
It was a nice dream with all the overtures of impending doom that used to obsess me when I lived outside of Israel. From the other side of the propaganda fence one would think that no one ventures out in the street in Israel, or goes on buses, or hitchhikes, or goes to clubs. This is far from the truth. The streets are crowded, like the clubs, and the festivals of music and theatre and people travel everyday on buses, trains and cars. When she told me her dream, it reminded me, of the way it was, not too long ago in the exile.
I used to read the paper religiously, turning right away to Israel to see what is happening there, because I felt emotionally tied to it and was worried and concerned and upset at the politics and the threats against her each day. I also was aware of what was happening in the world today as the Arabs become bolder and take up residence all over the free world, waiting for the terrible day of Jihad. And so I escaped to Israel from fear that I would be caught on the wrong side of the line on the day all airports are closed, no matter how much money you have (like September 11th). As it stands there is talk that in another six months there will no longer be benefits for those who wish to make Aliyah.
But all these fears, I had forgotten, and her dream reminded me. Maybe I should send a letter back to my friends and remind them that they are not safe. But like the ship of fools sailing off into the rocky falls, they are worried about me, who has reached a safe harbor. My friend concurred with me. We came to Israel out of fear, but now we are here to stay out of love. I was pulled out with a strong arm but now I gladly walk through the sea and know without a doubt there is a great G-d that makes miracles each day and protects this nation no matter if there were 6 million or 1 million Jews.
Since I have been here I hardly have looked at the news. Now I just live here, in a world without fear. Israel perish? Perish the thought. Israel is indestructible, not only because we are holier, sweeter, and kinder than the other nations. Not only because we are a part of Hashem’s essence, regardless of the exterior. But rather, because G-d has decided to bring us back, for the sake of His Holy name and His promise to our forefathers. Right now the window of opportunity is still open, but it’s closing fast. He will take all who want to come, the same policy as Israel. But soon, it will be much harder im afraid.
Here is a much safer and brighter world, where there is no fear, only precaution. Strange, I was late sending this letter before Shabbat, but later I found out that even if I had gotten to the computer store in time, it would not have helped. There was a power shortage that closed down the biggest cities that were thought to be immune to such things. I’m sure many were frightened not only about the precedent, but the warning it contained in the ‘plague of darkness’.
Here in Israel sometimes the power goes out here and there, but that’s normal. Nothing is completely reliable but everything is certain. The western world you think is the safest place to be may not be so. And the land you think is so dangerous may protect you and bless you and make you a much happier person.
I hope my friends come home soon, not only for their own safety, but also for the tremendous reward that awaits them. We made every empire rich from Egypt to America, and yet we cant see the great opportunities that are waiting here in this young country. The greatest wealth is yet to come when we return from the last of our exiles. The world is thirsty for the light of this Nation in every aspect. Come home now and be a part of it. Don’t lose your place.
Mystical Sfat
I was in Sfat playing at the Klezmer festival, which was just packed with people, as are so many festivals that happen here each summer. Sfat is truly a mystic city and everyone you meet and all that occurs seems to be written from a movie script, the synchronicity is unbelievable. You think of someone and they appear, you pray for someone and they see you in their dreams. The current of life is threaded together by an unmistakingly divine hand.
The young generation of hippie shepherds, wanderers, and idealists that fall asleep on the grass after all night jam sessions, and the children who laugh and play in the morning, are all part of a Jewish world in its essence, unadulterated and pure. The thought of anyone wishing harm to these angelic beings seems so far from reality and so absurd. Who could wish to destroy the greatest good ever known?
Being in the city of dreams I thought I would share one with you. A friend I met here, shared an old dream from the exile, similar to dreams and thoughts I had before coming here. It was a dream about New York City being suddenly burned down in a few moments in an atomic attack. At the same time the Arabs attacked Israel, and under the circumstances Israel was able to finally fight back with the mighty hand they usually suppress. They bombed the dome of the rock, the Arabs ran away and we rebuilt the temple. In my friends dream, the gates opened and she was the first marriage to take place in the temple.
It was a nice dream with all the overtures of impending doom that used to obsess me when I lived outside of Israel. From the other side of the propaganda fence one would think that no one ventures out in the street in Israel, or goes on buses, or hitchhikes, or goes to clubs. This is far from the truth. The streets are crowded, like the clubs, and the festivals of music and theatre and people travel everyday on buses, trains and cars. When she told me her dream, it reminded me, of the way it was, not too long ago in the exile.
I used to read the paper religiously, turning right away to Israel to see what is happening there, because I felt emotionally tied to it and was worried and concerned and upset at the politics and the threats against her each day. I also was aware of what was happening in the world today as the Arabs become bolder and take up residence all over the free world, waiting for the terrible day of Jihad. And so I escaped to Israel from fear that I would be caught on the wrong side of the line on the day all airports are closed, no matter how much money you have (like September 11th). As it stands there is talk that in another six months there will no longer be benefits for those who wish to make Aliyah.
But all these fears, I had forgotten, and her dream reminded me. Maybe I should send a letter back to my friends and remind them that they are not safe. But like the ship of fools sailing off into the rocky falls, they are worried about me, who has reached a safe harbor. My friend concurred with me. We came to Israel out of fear, but now we are here to stay out of love. I was pulled out with a strong arm but now I gladly walk through the sea and know without a doubt there is a great G-d that makes miracles each day and protects this nation no matter if there were 6 million or 1 million Jews.
Since I have been here I hardly have looked at the news. Now I just live here, in a world without fear. Israel perish? Perish the thought. Israel is indestructible, not only because we are holier, sweeter, and kinder than the other nations. Not only because we are a part of Hashem’s essence, regardless of the exterior. But rather, because G-d has decided to bring us back, for the sake of His Holy name and His promise to our forefathers. Right now the window of opportunity is still open, but it’s closing fast. He will take all who want to come, the same policy as Israel. But soon, it will be much harder im afraid.
Here is a much safer and brighter world, where there is no fear, only precaution. Strange, I was late sending this letter before Shabbat, but later I found out that even if I had gotten to the computer store in time, it would not have helped. There was a power shortage that closed down the biggest cities that were thought to be immune to such things. I’m sure many were frightened not only about the precedent, but the warning it contained in the ‘plague of darkness’.
Here in Israel sometimes the power goes out here and there, but that’s normal. Nothing is completely reliable but everything is certain. The western world you think is the safest place to be may not be so. And the land you think is so dangerous may protect you and bless you and make you a much happier person.
I hope my friends come home soon, not only for their own safety, but also for the tremendous reward that awaits them. We made every empire rich from Egypt to America, and yet we cant see the great opportunities that are waiting here in this young country. The greatest wealth is yet to come when we return from the last of our exiles. The world is thirsty for the light of this Nation in every aspect. Come home now and be a part of it. Don’t lose your place.
