Friday, August 22, 2003
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.
