Thursday, July 12, 2007
Sparks from Israel
Pesach 2007
I was arriving at the old city of Jerusalem for Pesach when I passed a family with that hippie biblical look you see everywhere in Yehuda and Shomron. The father was carrying a baby goat over his shoulder and when I looked back the little goat was looking at me with a beautiful smile. It was as if he was saying ‘How lucky I am to be a Pesach offering. Every beast is returned to the ground, but my body will become elevated and my animal soul will become spiritual’.
It was so nice to see this vision, for it reminded me of what used to be. The whole Israelite Nation would arrive at this time and with each family group a goat. It made me feel that soon we will rebuild our temple. A half hour later I spoke to my brother in Canada and told him of my experience. He informed me that the army did not allow the family to make their Passover sacrifice. How was it possible that he knew about the family I had just passed on a road in Jerusalem. ‘It was on CNN’ he explained.
Some say that it’s the world outside that affects the tensions and the growth within our Nation while others say the opposite. It’s the tensions and the growth within our Nation that affects the very nature of the world. I’m inclined to believe the latter. Why else would a Nation of less than 1% of the worlds population be mentioned nearly everyday on the news around the world? Why is the world so interested in this one family who really wanted to fulfill the mitzvah of Pesach?
I think back to September 11th and wonder how 33 evil men managed to destroy so much and change the course of history. What could 33 righteous men build I wonder; maybe the Beit Hamigdash? At any rate it makes you feel like your part of something very important. The eyes of the world are always watching us. Are they waiting for us to become the Light unto Nations? Or do they fear that we will rebuild our temple and bring more Godliness into the world? I suppose their hopes and fears are similar to our own. The same forces within our Nation struggle between pleasing the world and pleasing G-d. I hope this Pesach brings true freedom to rebuild the eternal and tear down that which is already rotten. Chag Somayach
The Tribes of Israel
Shabbat has many faces, especially in Tel Aviv. To some it’s sipping a beer at the beach. To others it’s leaving work early and shopping on Shenkin or the Ports. Every where you look there are street fairs and street musicians. One group of drummers always begins their drum circle Friday afternoon on Nachalat Binyamin and people randomly jump in, dance wildly to the tribal rhythms, and then continue on their way. Another group meets each week for traditional Israeli dancing by the promenade.
The one constant theme in the ever changing pattern of events is Shabbat, the physical and spiritual day of rest. To some it’s more physical to others more spiritual. Each one finds his or her own tribe that gives expression to this idea of Shabbat. Whether it’s doing a tribal dance or dressing in white and reciting prayers, the tribes of Israel cannot help but mix with each other on this tiny Island in the Middle East.
There are those who never leave their tribe, those who rebel and change tribes and those like myself who have friends in all of them. One can find a wild uninhibited nature within the most observant, as well as a deep spiritual vision within the completely untraditional. We are all part of the same family, and always going through changes. It’s nice to be part of a somewhat unified nation made up of many tribes.
The Air Raid Siren
I haven’t yet had the experience of hearing an air raid siren in Israel. Although I was here in the last war the missiles fell short of Tel Aviv. In North America, an air raid siren is only heard in old movies and is completely obsolete. In Israel unfortunately they must be ready for any emergency. There is however a positive side to being a tiny country always under attack. To keep our air raid sirens in good working condition we pipe music through them every Friday before sundown with the traditional Shabbat song ‘Shalom Alechem’.
The effect is tremendous. Instead of the fear and tension that we would expect from an Air Raid siren, it is transformed into a warm feeling of brotherhood and a sense of security from above. The music reminds us that Shabbat is about to begin and even in the capitol of non-observant Israel it strikes a chord deeper than prayer or ritual. Through the speakers comes a memory that we heard before we were born and will continue after us. Today instead of missiles falling, peace will be ushered in. It’s time to stop working, light your candles, or meet your friends. And tomorrow ‘swords will be beaten into ploughshares’ and Air Raid Sirens transformed into Sound Systems.
The Table of Kings
There are angels above in the heavenly court that decide many things that occur below. These angels are purely spiritual beings and cannot act outside of their jurisdiction. There are physical humans below that can transform themselves into angelic beings of an even higher order. In fact it is they who influence the judge who then commands the angels above.
The court proceedings begin by transforming the synagogue into a banquet hall and placing the herring on the table. After more herring, salads, and three bottles of vodka the red faced rabbis are shaking heaven with their refutations about the true nature of what is constructive and what is de-constructive. They lash out at each other with pointed words in an expression of their love and how best to manifest it.
After kicking the weak leg of each argument and destroying them, another l’chaim is passed around and the opposing ideas are merged as one. As the vodka reaches its zenith, the Heavenly Judge, impressed with the verdict dispatches His angels forthwith.
There are those who rub shoulders with Generals and Kings, but I have the good fortune to sit at the court that determines their actions. Ours is not the only court. There are others that can be found, not in palaces or mansions, but in tiny synagogues in market places such as ours. I don’t understand the language too well, so I have no opinion, but the herring is very good.
Sparks For Israel
Prayer and Lag B’omer
On the 33rd day of the Omer, the plague that killed 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva stopped. It later coincided with the yorzeit of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and has become a day of celebration and an end to mourning. Hundreds of thousands flock to his gravesite in Meron and pray and petition the Tzadik to answer their prayers. There are some opinions that say the plague really alludes to the war against Rome. Rabbi Akiva enlisted his yeshiva students to fight this war and to bring Moshiach who he claimed was Bar Kochba. In the end they lost and were killed. One student who escaped death was Rabbi Shimon. The Romans heard of how he had fearlessly condemned them in a time when the Nation had been crushed and destroyed and to save his life he and his son hid in a cave for many years and lived from the fruit of a carob tree and a stream of water. Here is where he wrote the Holy Kaballa.
Before my trip to Meron on Lag B’Omer I enquired as to the meaning of prayer and the significance of the Tzaddik. Now I am very litvish in my thinking and the idea of someone interceding between me and Hashem sounds heretical to me for what could be greater than talking directly to ones father? It also makes the Tzadik out to be more merciful than Hashem and moreover suggests that the system above is run like the Knesset below with kombina (having friends in the right places). My research into prayer is ongoing and the book is not yet closed but here is a sketch of my current thoughts on prayer, for what it’s worth.
Heard three things
I have heard three ideas about prayer. Number one, it must be sincere and every sincere prayer is heard by Hashem, especially those that open the gates with their tears. Number two, for a minyan the gates of prayer always open. Even if you don’t feel worthy of approaching Hashem, in the company of ten other Jewish men, your prayer passes through with theirs. Number three the main idea of prayer constitutes the idea that you are truly standing before G-d.
Faith (Emunah in Hebrew) comes from the root word ‘Oman’ (artistry) and also related to ‘Imun’ (exercise). It appears that faith is something we are always shaping and developing like an art or a craft, or an exercise that develops our ever changing and growing relationship with the Almighty.
And so with each prayer I try to feel like a child standing before his father and asking for the things he desires in his heart, or to request guidance or to aide someone who is suffering. For me to mumble a few words alone I feel sometimes is not much more than mumbling words to myself. But with a minyan of ten I am in the company of others who are whispering their concentrated thoughts, and so mine become more concentrated too and have more weight. Even if I feel unworthy or Hashem seems too far and inaccessible to me, I know my prayers are carried together with the congregations of Israel when said in a minyan.
So what place does the Tzadik have in all of this? If we are sincere and standing before Hashem, why do we still need an interceder? If we are not worthy, isn’t the congregation worthy as a whole? The way I currently understand prayer is like this. Most people can find enjoyment from singing a song or playing a melody and connecting with the higher world of music. Those same people would stand in awe, however of a virtuoso who can sing or perform at the highest levels would demonstrate their ability in front of them. We are well aware that every virtuoso did not arrive at their place by accident, but with talent plus many years of hard work that helped them to shape their talent. We are inspired therefore, not only at the brilliance of his inspiration, but also the dedication that he must have made in order to arrive at this stage.
As sons and daughters of the covenant, we are all free men and even those enslaved are never permanently so. We all were impregnated by the Shechina. Willingly or unwillingly each of our lives creates an essential piece of the jigsaw puzzle that is the image of G-d. The ‘virtuoso’ in our example inspires us to bring out our own music through discovering our inner voice, which is part of Hashem’s voice, and dedicating our efforts that will channel it more beautifully and maximize our potential.
What is the work that the Tzadik has done that is rewarded by such a large gathering of the greatest sages of Israel? What is the place of the Tzadik in our prayers and how does he intercede? What was the work the Tzadik had done that preceded his inspiration to write the holy books that people study and bring on that memorial day?
The work that always precedes is self-sacrifice. He dared to say truthful things that were not popular but had to be said. He made himself a target by not allowing himself to be intimidated by Rome and fearing only Hashem. As his teacher Rabbi Akiva was, so was he. He was one of the fighters rebuilding the Temple despite all the odds. Even though 24,000 died and they lost the battle, and we still die and lose the battle today, Hashed is always counting. It is not the end result that matters but the deed itself and the ramification that follows. It is the courage to stand against adversity and wage Hashem’s wars, that endears Hashem and brings Him closer.
And so on this anniversary we remember not just a gifted miracle worker. We remember one who with his gift maximized his potential and crafted his faith by exercising it. Actions of self sacrifice for the sake of truth and the glory of Hashem, will always win in the end, against all odds. The end result of this sacrifice and lifetime of toil in Torah is the overflowing multitudes that are drawn to this light, and by their presence increasing it.
And so as I stand before Him sincerely and reflect on one of His very special souls I know that the gates of prayer are open wider than the opening made by ten Jewish men, but rather 300,000 Jewish souls. Even if I am not worthy, I reflect and submit my petition, that I should receive some of this inspiration and have the dedication and courage to implement the commandments of Hashem, to live by them and to improve my deeds before my maker.
Pesach 2007
I was arriving at the old city of Jerusalem for Pesach when I passed a family with that hippie biblical look you see everywhere in Yehuda and Shomron. The father was carrying a baby goat over his shoulder and when I looked back the little goat was looking at me with a beautiful smile. It was as if he was saying ‘How lucky I am to be a Pesach offering. Every beast is returned to the ground, but my body will become elevated and my animal soul will become spiritual’.
It was so nice to see this vision, for it reminded me of what used to be. The whole Israelite Nation would arrive at this time and with each family group a goat. It made me feel that soon we will rebuild our temple. A half hour later I spoke to my brother in Canada and told him of my experience. He informed me that the army did not allow the family to make their Passover sacrifice. How was it possible that he knew about the family I had just passed on a road in Jerusalem. ‘It was on CNN’ he explained.
Some say that it’s the world outside that affects the tensions and the growth within our Nation while others say the opposite. It’s the tensions and the growth within our Nation that affects the very nature of the world. I’m inclined to believe the latter. Why else would a Nation of less than 1% of the worlds population be mentioned nearly everyday on the news around the world? Why is the world so interested in this one family who really wanted to fulfill the mitzvah of Pesach?
I think back to September 11th and wonder how 33 evil men managed to destroy so much and change the course of history. What could 33 righteous men build I wonder; maybe the Beit Hamigdash? At any rate it makes you feel like your part of something very important. The eyes of the world are always watching us. Are they waiting for us to become the Light unto Nations? Or do they fear that we will rebuild our temple and bring more Godliness into the world? I suppose their hopes and fears are similar to our own. The same forces within our Nation struggle between pleasing the world and pleasing G-d. I hope this Pesach brings true freedom to rebuild the eternal and tear down that which is already rotten. Chag Somayach
The Tribes of Israel
Shabbat has many faces, especially in Tel Aviv. To some it’s sipping a beer at the beach. To others it’s leaving work early and shopping on Shenkin or the Ports. Every where you look there are street fairs and street musicians. One group of drummers always begins their drum circle Friday afternoon on Nachalat Binyamin and people randomly jump in, dance wildly to the tribal rhythms, and then continue on their way. Another group meets each week for traditional Israeli dancing by the promenade.
The one constant theme in the ever changing pattern of events is Shabbat, the physical and spiritual day of rest. To some it’s more physical to others more spiritual. Each one finds his or her own tribe that gives expression to this idea of Shabbat. Whether it’s doing a tribal dance or dressing in white and reciting prayers, the tribes of Israel cannot help but mix with each other on this tiny Island in the Middle East.
There are those who never leave their tribe, those who rebel and change tribes and those like myself who have friends in all of them. One can find a wild uninhibited nature within the most observant, as well as a deep spiritual vision within the completely untraditional. We are all part of the same family, and always going through changes. It’s nice to be part of a somewhat unified nation made up of many tribes.
The Air Raid Siren
I haven’t yet had the experience of hearing an air raid siren in Israel. Although I was here in the last war the missiles fell short of Tel Aviv. In North America, an air raid siren is only heard in old movies and is completely obsolete. In Israel unfortunately they must be ready for any emergency. There is however a positive side to being a tiny country always under attack. To keep our air raid sirens in good working condition we pipe music through them every Friday before sundown with the traditional Shabbat song ‘Shalom Alechem’.
The effect is tremendous. Instead of the fear and tension that we would expect from an Air Raid siren, it is transformed into a warm feeling of brotherhood and a sense of security from above. The music reminds us that Shabbat is about to begin and even in the capitol of non-observant Israel it strikes a chord deeper than prayer or ritual. Through the speakers comes a memory that we heard before we were born and will continue after us. Today instead of missiles falling, peace will be ushered in. It’s time to stop working, light your candles, or meet your friends. And tomorrow ‘swords will be beaten into ploughshares’ and Air Raid Sirens transformed into Sound Systems.
The Table of Kings
There are angels above in the heavenly court that decide many things that occur below. These angels are purely spiritual beings and cannot act outside of their jurisdiction. There are physical humans below that can transform themselves into angelic beings of an even higher order. In fact it is they who influence the judge who then commands the angels above.
The court proceedings begin by transforming the synagogue into a banquet hall and placing the herring on the table. After more herring, salads, and three bottles of vodka the red faced rabbis are shaking heaven with their refutations about the true nature of what is constructive and what is de-constructive. They lash out at each other with pointed words in an expression of their love and how best to manifest it.
After kicking the weak leg of each argument and destroying them, another l’chaim is passed around and the opposing ideas are merged as one. As the vodka reaches its zenith, the Heavenly Judge, impressed with the verdict dispatches His angels forthwith.
There are those who rub shoulders with Generals and Kings, but I have the good fortune to sit at the court that determines their actions. Ours is not the only court. There are others that can be found, not in palaces or mansions, but in tiny synagogues in market places such as ours. I don’t understand the language too well, so I have no opinion, but the herring is very good.
Sparks For Israel
Prayer and Lag B’omer
On the 33rd day of the Omer, the plague that killed 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva stopped. It later coincided with the yorzeit of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and has become a day of celebration and an end to mourning. Hundreds of thousands flock to his gravesite in Meron and pray and petition the Tzadik to answer their prayers. There are some opinions that say the plague really alludes to the war against Rome. Rabbi Akiva enlisted his yeshiva students to fight this war and to bring Moshiach who he claimed was Bar Kochba. In the end they lost and were killed. One student who escaped death was Rabbi Shimon. The Romans heard of how he had fearlessly condemned them in a time when the Nation had been crushed and destroyed and to save his life he and his son hid in a cave for many years and lived from the fruit of a carob tree and a stream of water. Here is where he wrote the Holy Kaballa.
Before my trip to Meron on Lag B’Omer I enquired as to the meaning of prayer and the significance of the Tzaddik. Now I am very litvish in my thinking and the idea of someone interceding between me and Hashem sounds heretical to me for what could be greater than talking directly to ones father? It also makes the Tzadik out to be more merciful than Hashem and moreover suggests that the system above is run like the Knesset below with kombina (having friends in the right places). My research into prayer is ongoing and the book is not yet closed but here is a sketch of my current thoughts on prayer, for what it’s worth.
Heard three things
I have heard three ideas about prayer. Number one, it must be sincere and every sincere prayer is heard by Hashem, especially those that open the gates with their tears. Number two, for a minyan the gates of prayer always open. Even if you don’t feel worthy of approaching Hashem, in the company of ten other Jewish men, your prayer passes through with theirs. Number three the main idea of prayer constitutes the idea that you are truly standing before G-d.
Faith (Emunah in Hebrew) comes from the root word ‘Oman’ (artistry) and also related to ‘Imun’ (exercise). It appears that faith is something we are always shaping and developing like an art or a craft, or an exercise that develops our ever changing and growing relationship with the Almighty.
And so with each prayer I try to feel like a child standing before his father and asking for the things he desires in his heart, or to request guidance or to aide someone who is suffering. For me to mumble a few words alone I feel sometimes is not much more than mumbling words to myself. But with a minyan of ten I am in the company of others who are whispering their concentrated thoughts, and so mine become more concentrated too and have more weight. Even if I feel unworthy or Hashem seems too far and inaccessible to me, I know my prayers are carried together with the congregations of Israel when said in a minyan.
So what place does the Tzadik have in all of this? If we are sincere and standing before Hashem, why do we still need an interceder? If we are not worthy, isn’t the congregation worthy as a whole? The way I currently understand prayer is like this. Most people can find enjoyment from singing a song or playing a melody and connecting with the higher world of music. Those same people would stand in awe, however of a virtuoso who can sing or perform at the highest levels would demonstrate their ability in front of them. We are well aware that every virtuoso did not arrive at their place by accident, but with talent plus many years of hard work that helped them to shape their talent. We are inspired therefore, not only at the brilliance of his inspiration, but also the dedication that he must have made in order to arrive at this stage.
As sons and daughters of the covenant, we are all free men and even those enslaved are never permanently so. We all were impregnated by the Shechina. Willingly or unwillingly each of our lives creates an essential piece of the jigsaw puzzle that is the image of G-d. The ‘virtuoso’ in our example inspires us to bring out our own music through discovering our inner voice, which is part of Hashem’s voice, and dedicating our efforts that will channel it more beautifully and maximize our potential.
What is the work that the Tzadik has done that is rewarded by such a large gathering of the greatest sages of Israel? What is the place of the Tzadik in our prayers and how does he intercede? What was the work the Tzadik had done that preceded his inspiration to write the holy books that people study and bring on that memorial day?
The work that always precedes is self-sacrifice. He dared to say truthful things that were not popular but had to be said. He made himself a target by not allowing himself to be intimidated by Rome and fearing only Hashem. As his teacher Rabbi Akiva was, so was he. He was one of the fighters rebuilding the Temple despite all the odds. Even though 24,000 died and they lost the battle, and we still die and lose the battle today, Hashed is always counting. It is not the end result that matters but the deed itself and the ramification that follows. It is the courage to stand against adversity and wage Hashem’s wars, that endears Hashem and brings Him closer.
And so on this anniversary we remember not just a gifted miracle worker. We remember one who with his gift maximized his potential and crafted his faith by exercising it. Actions of self sacrifice for the sake of truth and the glory of Hashem, will always win in the end, against all odds. The end result of this sacrifice and lifetime of toil in Torah is the overflowing multitudes that are drawn to this light, and by their presence increasing it.
And so as I stand before Him sincerely and reflect on one of His very special souls I know that the gates of prayer are open wider than the opening made by ten Jewish men, but rather 300,000 Jewish souls. Even if I am not worthy, I reflect and submit my petition, that I should receive some of this inspiration and have the dedication and courage to implement the commandments of Hashem, to live by them and to improve my deeds before my maker.
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