Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Sparks From Israel
The Leaders of the Redemption
Amid the loud trance music, tattoos shops, Russian punks with spiked hair, and provocative women staggering out of discos, there are many run-down Beit Knesset’s where the Torah observant few come to pray and argue past the disco hour the relevance of their particular stream of Judaism.
In one of these holy places, made even holier by the three shots of Arak I ingested, a man gave over a Dvar Torah about the Parasha Ki Sisa. He quoted a local man Rav Alfasi from a Beit Knesset in the affluent North Tel Aviv.
Regarding the Tehillim we read before the Birkat Hamazon (the blessing after the meal) which reads: ‘When Hashem will return the captivity of Zion, we will be like dreamers. Then our mouth will be filled with laughter and our tongue with glad song.’ Rav Alfasi asks the question, why will our mouths be filled with laughter? Why not with joy, with happiness, with praise?
He answers, ‘Because we will see that the redemption is being brought by the lowest element of society. What the holy rabbi’s failed to bring, what the purest souls were incapable of achieving, will be achieved by thugs and gangsters!’ These are the times we are living in now, and soon, with laughter we will see, how the lowest elements of society, will in fact be the redeemers of our generation. How funny is that?
A Familiar Song
I met with a fellow countryman who has been in Israel for a month now. We spoke about the synagogue we both used to go to, and I told him that for over a year now, I have searched for a synagogue that sings Chadesh Yamenu with the same melody that we both were familiar with. I added mystically, that when I find the place that sings that melody, I will know that I have found my inheritance in the Land of Israel. We laughed and parted.
The next day I met a friend who offered to guide me to a synagogue across from the Temple Mount where most of our Arab cousins live. I was surprised, in the middle of the service to hear a familiar tune. As I walked back through the Arab shuk, I heard my words echoing from the night before. Is this my inheritance? It’s not exactly the easy going life style I have in Tel Aviv.
The message seemed clear to me, coming one week before Rosh Hoshanna. If one wants to continue to receive Hashem’s blessings, he must continue to grow and fulfill the potential given to him. Each of us has their own definition of what that growth entails, but each of us must conquer new territory within.
Just as our Nation settles the Land of Israel despite the worlds protest, as individuals we also must conquer new territory within, and subdue the forces that seek to undermine the fulfillment of our potential. I thought for a moment of my younger brother, who would often add at the end of his letters. Grow or Die.
The Watermelon man
As I walked through the market on a hot sunny day, I saw a merchant sitting next to his kiosk eating freshly cut pieces of watermelon. As I approached he saw me looking at the appetizing cold slices and motioned to me to take a piece. I said ‘no’, but he insisted. As I continued on my way munching my slice of watermelon I thought to myself. ‘Is there any other place like Israel, a family that became a Nation?
‘Tis the Season
All the shops are busy once again with last minute shopping. Soon the whole country will be closed down for two days. Extra people are hired just to wrap merchandise and in most corner kiosks you can pick up some last minute gift packages for the holidays. It all seems reminiscent to me of a holiday that falls in December in North America, but it’s now early September. What was once a religious day of observance to a tiny Jewish minority is a National Holiday here in Israel. It’s Rosh Hoshanna, and even the bus drivers wish you Shana Tova ve Metuka. Have a good and sweet year!
The Leaders of the Redemption
Amid the loud trance music, tattoos shops, Russian punks with spiked hair, and provocative women staggering out of discos, there are many run-down Beit Knesset’s where the Torah observant few come to pray and argue past the disco hour the relevance of their particular stream of Judaism.
In one of these holy places, made even holier by the three shots of Arak I ingested, a man gave over a Dvar Torah about the Parasha Ki Sisa. He quoted a local man Rav Alfasi from a Beit Knesset in the affluent North Tel Aviv.
Regarding the Tehillim we read before the Birkat Hamazon (the blessing after the meal) which reads: ‘When Hashem will return the captivity of Zion, we will be like dreamers. Then our mouth will be filled with laughter and our tongue with glad song.’ Rav Alfasi asks the question, why will our mouths be filled with laughter? Why not with joy, with happiness, with praise?
He answers, ‘Because we will see that the redemption is being brought by the lowest element of society. What the holy rabbi’s failed to bring, what the purest souls were incapable of achieving, will be achieved by thugs and gangsters!’ These are the times we are living in now, and soon, with laughter we will see, how the lowest elements of society, will in fact be the redeemers of our generation. How funny is that?
A Familiar Song
I met with a fellow countryman who has been in Israel for a month now. We spoke about the synagogue we both used to go to, and I told him that for over a year now, I have searched for a synagogue that sings Chadesh Yamenu with the same melody that we both were familiar with. I added mystically, that when I find the place that sings that melody, I will know that I have found my inheritance in the Land of Israel. We laughed and parted.
The next day I met a friend who offered to guide me to a synagogue across from the Temple Mount where most of our Arab cousins live. I was surprised, in the middle of the service to hear a familiar tune. As I walked back through the Arab shuk, I heard my words echoing from the night before. Is this my inheritance? It’s not exactly the easy going life style I have in Tel Aviv.
The message seemed clear to me, coming one week before Rosh Hoshanna. If one wants to continue to receive Hashem’s blessings, he must continue to grow and fulfill the potential given to him. Each of us has their own definition of what that growth entails, but each of us must conquer new territory within.
Just as our Nation settles the Land of Israel despite the worlds protest, as individuals we also must conquer new territory within, and subdue the forces that seek to undermine the fulfillment of our potential. I thought for a moment of my younger brother, who would often add at the end of his letters. Grow or Die.
The Watermelon man
As I walked through the market on a hot sunny day, I saw a merchant sitting next to his kiosk eating freshly cut pieces of watermelon. As I approached he saw me looking at the appetizing cold slices and motioned to me to take a piece. I said ‘no’, but he insisted. As I continued on my way munching my slice of watermelon I thought to myself. ‘Is there any other place like Israel, a family that became a Nation?
‘Tis the Season
All the shops are busy once again with last minute shopping. Soon the whole country will be closed down for two days. Extra people are hired just to wrap merchandise and in most corner kiosks you can pick up some last minute gift packages for the holidays. It all seems reminiscent to me of a holiday that falls in December in North America, but it’s now early September. What was once a religious day of observance to a tiny Jewish minority is a National Holiday here in Israel. It’s Rosh Hoshanna, and even the bus drivers wish you Shana Tova ve Metuka. Have a good and sweet year!
Sparks From Israel
The Evolution of Man
Living in Israel is unlike any other nation. One might study the highest levels of Judo in Japan, or find the greatest Blues masters in Chicago, but when it comes to studying ‘faith’, this is the place. What makes this the place where ‘faith’ can be acquired more than other lands? On a simple level, we have no great rivers and lakes to rely upon. Our water falls directly from Heaven, and we subsist constantly upon the blessings of Heaven. If the rain were withheld, we would feel it right away.
Prayer was the first service that Adam, the original man, was created for. And here he lies buried in Hevron. Prayer was his vocation, for without it, there would be no rain and the grass would not grow. Living in Israel is living like Adam Ha Rishon, the first man, and the ultimate man.
It seems to me that all good flows from upward downward (like parents to their children), and from downward upward (as we mature) and then down again with greater love than before (as we succeed). And this is the evolution of man.
Israel, which is the training ground for the ultimate mankind, must see these results daily so that it becomes second nature. As we master our service, the pipelines flow freely and the whole world is affected in a positive way. And this is the evolution of Israel, which brings about the evolution of mankind.
Living Inside the Torah – Rosh Hoshana
Upon hearing the news that our commuter van was being cancelled I arranged a meeting with one of the bosses of the company I work for. I explained to her that without the company van that brings us Tel Aviv people back and forth to Yerushalayim each night, it would be too expensive and time consuming to continue working there.
Furthermore, we were the top salespeople that earned certainly enough money to justify the van. She said she would look into it, but the prognosis did not look good. I thought to myself, I better work hard and make some extra money, because it appears that soon I will be without a job.
That Shabbat I forgot about work and asked a multitude of questions about Rosh Hashanna. How can one day affect a whole year and is this fair? What in fact are we determining if everything is already determined? What is the point of doing teshuva especially at this time and not before or after? Isn’t this a little false; like hiring a good attorney to plead for us and then he departs after the judgment has been rendered?
After many long discussions, the answer seemed to have already been given. I have always felt that the events of the week in the physical world often reflect the spiritual times we are in. One has only to look for the signs and the poetry of life. As the month of Elul was ushered in, so was I being ushered out of a job. What is the connection?
This time is a time when everything is in question. No matter what you bring to the company, no matter what you bring to this world. There is a higher authority that is determining once again if He will renew our contracts based upon His understanding. It is a time simply to recognize that there is a King, and that we wish to be subject to His rule regardless of what He determines. It is a time to accept His decrees as ‘just’ despite our inability to understand why bad things happen to good people.
The concept of ‘Teshuva’ is similar in a way to the idea of wanting to make extra money in case one finds himself out of a job. Teshuva has an intrinsic value, like money. It can be used in this world and there are money changers on every corner in the next world too!
They say that the Torah was the blueprint of all creation. And before the Torah was Teshuva. The whole system of creation is based upon change and renewal. Even a snake changes his skin; certainly angels must plume their feathers.
And so as the king is being crowned once again by his subjects I suppose we can receive a base salary from this acceptance of His rule. Regardless if we attend the coronation, He still will provide for us. And I suppose the extra commissions we receive through our good deeds will have special bonuses attached just because of His visit, so it might be a good time to stock up while at the same time taking stock.
It seems that it is really the concept of change that is the spark that ignites the world. The Creator of all artists had this in mind when He made His Creation whose existence never stagnates but is always changing from growth to death to re-birth.
In the end, we made an arrangement regarding the van, but it is no longer free, and we see that even though we are assets to the company, we are also expendable. Nothing is as certain as it was before. But that very uncertainty makes me feel secure. I was never truly in control of events in the first place. What a comforting thought, nothing stays the same.
The Garden of Eden
It is a fascinating time to be in Israel. The highest souls are arriving each day and stepping onto the tarmac at Ben Gurion airport. Of course there are also many who dream of boarding those planes and discovering America. There is a changing of the guard taking place; a new stage in the building of this palace. The foundation has been dug and the frame has been erected, but now the various artists and designers are flocking to the Land to refine the interior and beautify the exterior. To the degree that the clouds darken over lands of the exile, they brighten over the hills and valleys of this Land. To those who can envision it, there is only opportunity. To those who can see it, this is the Garden of Eden.
The Bicycle Tzadik
While most of us suffer from lack of faith, I have a friend who has too much. He has very little money, and his only possession, his ‘bike’ he would leave everywhere without a lock. I would scold him and say, you should not rely upon miracles. ‘Baaa. He would say. If Hashem wants to take my bike, let Him take it’. After a year of miracles in which everyone else’s bike was stolen except his, it happened all of a sudden one day that his too was taken. He couldn’t understand what happened and why Hashem was angry with him to take his bike? I argued with him that Hashem gave us a book of rules and He clearly wants us to do our part below and not rely upon His miracles.
After a month I saw my friend again with a brand new bike that he was very happy about. He was quick to show me that he took my advice. This time after saving up for a month to get his beautiful new bike, he bought a lock. However, it was the cheapest lock he could find. Even a five year old thief could rip it apart and steal his bike. ‘Your right’, he said to me ‘I must do my part below’, and so I did. ‘I bought the cheapest lock I could find’, so He can’t say that I am not doing my part’. But this is only symbolic, because it is not the lock that keeps my bike, but Hashem. I had to agree with him. Ours is only a symbolic effort from below, and to the degree one believes this, this is the degree to which he is blessed.
One Doesn’t Study Kabala he Receives It
I was a little sad yesterday because I have very few books to read in English. I am sometimes in places where rabbis are speaking and I am only able to get an idea of what they are saying, and not bold enough to attempt a question in my broken Hebrew. As I left the lecture my cell phone rang. A young man was returning my inquiry about some Torah books in English he wanted to give away. I had been the only person who answered his advertisement that he had posted the day before. Within 2 hours, he delivered to me a brand new complete set of the Zohar in English, all 23 books. Now where else does G-d hear your prayers and answer them like this? Only in the Land of the Living.
The Evolution of Man
Living in Israel is unlike any other nation. One might study the highest levels of Judo in Japan, or find the greatest Blues masters in Chicago, but when it comes to studying ‘faith’, this is the place. What makes this the place where ‘faith’ can be acquired more than other lands? On a simple level, we have no great rivers and lakes to rely upon. Our water falls directly from Heaven, and we subsist constantly upon the blessings of Heaven. If the rain were withheld, we would feel it right away.
Prayer was the first service that Adam, the original man, was created for. And here he lies buried in Hevron. Prayer was his vocation, for without it, there would be no rain and the grass would not grow. Living in Israel is living like Adam Ha Rishon, the first man, and the ultimate man.
It seems to me that all good flows from upward downward (like parents to their children), and from downward upward (as we mature) and then down again with greater love than before (as we succeed). And this is the evolution of man.
Israel, which is the training ground for the ultimate mankind, must see these results daily so that it becomes second nature. As we master our service, the pipelines flow freely and the whole world is affected in a positive way. And this is the evolution of Israel, which brings about the evolution of mankind.
Living Inside the Torah – Rosh Hoshana
Upon hearing the news that our commuter van was being cancelled I arranged a meeting with one of the bosses of the company I work for. I explained to her that without the company van that brings us Tel Aviv people back and forth to Yerushalayim each night, it would be too expensive and time consuming to continue working there.
Furthermore, we were the top salespeople that earned certainly enough money to justify the van. She said she would look into it, but the prognosis did not look good. I thought to myself, I better work hard and make some extra money, because it appears that soon I will be without a job.
That Shabbat I forgot about work and asked a multitude of questions about Rosh Hashanna. How can one day affect a whole year and is this fair? What in fact are we determining if everything is already determined? What is the point of doing teshuva especially at this time and not before or after? Isn’t this a little false; like hiring a good attorney to plead for us and then he departs after the judgment has been rendered?
After many long discussions, the answer seemed to have already been given. I have always felt that the events of the week in the physical world often reflect the spiritual times we are in. One has only to look for the signs and the poetry of life. As the month of Elul was ushered in, so was I being ushered out of a job. What is the connection?
This time is a time when everything is in question. No matter what you bring to the company, no matter what you bring to this world. There is a higher authority that is determining once again if He will renew our contracts based upon His understanding. It is a time simply to recognize that there is a King, and that we wish to be subject to His rule regardless of what He determines. It is a time to accept His decrees as ‘just’ despite our inability to understand why bad things happen to good people.
The concept of ‘Teshuva’ is similar in a way to the idea of wanting to make extra money in case one finds himself out of a job. Teshuva has an intrinsic value, like money. It can be used in this world and there are money changers on every corner in the next world too!
They say that the Torah was the blueprint of all creation. And before the Torah was Teshuva. The whole system of creation is based upon change and renewal. Even a snake changes his skin; certainly angels must plume their feathers.
And so as the king is being crowned once again by his subjects I suppose we can receive a base salary from this acceptance of His rule. Regardless if we attend the coronation, He still will provide for us. And I suppose the extra commissions we receive through our good deeds will have special bonuses attached just because of His visit, so it might be a good time to stock up while at the same time taking stock.
It seems that it is really the concept of change that is the spark that ignites the world. The Creator of all artists had this in mind when He made His Creation whose existence never stagnates but is always changing from growth to death to re-birth.
In the end, we made an arrangement regarding the van, but it is no longer free, and we see that even though we are assets to the company, we are also expendable. Nothing is as certain as it was before. But that very uncertainty makes me feel secure. I was never truly in control of events in the first place. What a comforting thought, nothing stays the same.
The Garden of Eden
It is a fascinating time to be in Israel. The highest souls are arriving each day and stepping onto the tarmac at Ben Gurion airport. Of course there are also many who dream of boarding those planes and discovering America. There is a changing of the guard taking place; a new stage in the building of this palace. The foundation has been dug and the frame has been erected, but now the various artists and designers are flocking to the Land to refine the interior and beautify the exterior. To the degree that the clouds darken over lands of the exile, they brighten over the hills and valleys of this Land. To those who can envision it, there is only opportunity. To those who can see it, this is the Garden of Eden.
The Bicycle Tzadik
While most of us suffer from lack of faith, I have a friend who has too much. He has very little money, and his only possession, his ‘bike’ he would leave everywhere without a lock. I would scold him and say, you should not rely upon miracles. ‘Baaa. He would say. If Hashem wants to take my bike, let Him take it’. After a year of miracles in which everyone else’s bike was stolen except his, it happened all of a sudden one day that his too was taken. He couldn’t understand what happened and why Hashem was angry with him to take his bike? I argued with him that Hashem gave us a book of rules and He clearly wants us to do our part below and not rely upon His miracles.
After a month I saw my friend again with a brand new bike that he was very happy about. He was quick to show me that he took my advice. This time after saving up for a month to get his beautiful new bike, he bought a lock. However, it was the cheapest lock he could find. Even a five year old thief could rip it apart and steal his bike. ‘Your right’, he said to me ‘I must do my part below’, and so I did. ‘I bought the cheapest lock I could find’, so He can’t say that I am not doing my part’. But this is only symbolic, because it is not the lock that keeps my bike, but Hashem. I had to agree with him. Ours is only a symbolic effort from below, and to the degree one believes this, this is the degree to which he is blessed.
One Doesn’t Study Kabala he Receives It
I was a little sad yesterday because I have very few books to read in English. I am sometimes in places where rabbis are speaking and I am only able to get an idea of what they are saying, and not bold enough to attempt a question in my broken Hebrew. As I left the lecture my cell phone rang. A young man was returning my inquiry about some Torah books in English he wanted to give away. I had been the only person who answered his advertisement that he had posted the day before. Within 2 hours, he delivered to me a brand new complete set of the Zohar in English, all 23 books. Now where else does G-d hear your prayers and answer them like this? Only in the Land of the Living.
