Sparks From Israel

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.

Chanuka 2005

Sparks From Israel


For Better or Worse
I told myself I would never write another Sparks from Israel. But tonight I am absolutely drunk, and it’s the 5th night of Chanuka and so I will tell you about the holiness of our nation, even though I still think we are a bunch of slaves and taskmasters.

At 3 am, after drinking all night in one club, I went to another club that was still packed, and lo and behold at 3 a.m. two men with black hats and beards had the DJ stop the music, as they lit the Chanuka candles, and the crowd sang along with the Chanuka prayers. I thought I was hallucinating, but no, this is Israel.

At 4 a.m. as I left that bar and staggered home, I stopped into the chips store, and asked the cook, what wisdom he could impart on the 5th night of Chanuka. He told me, that he always liked the passage regarding Yacov, that he worked for 7 years for Rachel but to him it seemed like only days. I kissed the Rav of the chips, and blessed him that his light should increase in the world.

Who would think the man who fries potatoes in oil all night would think of such passages of Torah. Such holy people, even though they worship America, and New York, and all that is there. Still in the middle of their parties and drunken stupors, they can light Chanuka candles and give divreh Torah.

There is no other people like the Nation of Israel, and in my mind, I don’t even have a choice to leave here. There is nothing like this land and I have absolutely no desire for a different land. Even if we lack vision and faith, still this is a land like no other. These are the sons and daughters of prophets, and the sons and daughters of slaves. There is absolutely no other choice in my mind. Better an Israel that is infected with foolishness, than an exile that dreams of a perfect Israel that will never be.







July, 2006


Sparks from Israel


Soldiers off to War
When you watch those old Hollywood movies of young people going off to war, it always seems so distant, like a far off time of romance and adventure. Here in Israel the war time past is always present. You see eighteen year old boys dressed in uniform, machine gun slung over their shoulder riding the bus with their girlfriend on their way to the base. You see them in love and kissing wondering inside if it will be the last kiss. Bravery and self sacrifice are part of the fabric of this society and distinguish it from the complacent and fearful worlds that exist in other places.

We are a strong and passionate people, an army of poets and scholars. Even though we stumble like a lion cub tripping over its feet I still feel proud to be part of this Nation. I heard in Seattle one crazed Arab went and shot some Jews. The city was immobilized. Every synagogue was locked. Although the military plans of our leaders may not accomplish the job, our brothers in the exile have no plan at all. There is no force that protects them except trying to look invisible.

I feel far safer here in the middle of the raging sea then alone in a world disconnected from the current of life. Certainly everywhere there is existence. But existence is not life. It’s better to be alive and living well in Israel than being invisible and safe in a lonely guarded palace.

A friend of mine who is a 16 year old chabbadnik recently got his drivers license. He has rented a car and gone repeatedly to the northern border to put tefillin on the troops. He described to me the deserted highways, the missiles falling all around, dodging the bits of shrapnel on the roads. For him and his friends it was a thrilling experience. He wondered jokingly what was a better way to die; by a Ketusha or by a Kassam. These are your people Israel, from soldiers to civilians. There is no fear, only duty, perseverance and prayers.






Rosh Hoshanna 2006

Sparks From Israel


Gush Katif a Year Later
On Rosh Hoshanna, a year after the Hitnatkut I sat at a Shabbat table with some exiled Gush Katif residents. We reflected on the teshuva the Nation had done over the year. Our host, who was a resident of Sfat, had lived through a summer of 600 katusha missiles falling in his back yard. He said he could not help thinking as the missiles were falling all around him, what his friends in the Gush had lived through for many years and realized that even he, who was sympathetic to their plight, could have felt more and done more.

Surprisingly some Tel Aviv friends of mine who were ardent supporters of the Hitnatkut where shocked when the Arabs had the audacity to bite the hand that gave them Gush Katif. They mostly have woken up to the realization that the Arabs are not interested in creating a Palestine, but rather in destroying Israel. I didn’t think one needed to be a rocket scientist to come to this conclusion, but some of my friends actually are rocket scientists, and they are still putting together the broken pieces of their delusions.

We spoke about the strange fate of Sharon, not alive and not dead from the moment the Hitnatkut began till now. A friend of mine heard from a Mekubal that the reason he has not died is because the earth does not want to take him. The man who disturbed the dead and unearthed so many Jewish graves may not have the privilege of being buried and like the rest of the Nation he too must go through a process of teshuva before being laid to rest.

When asked how the Hitnatkut had affected their faith, one of the exiled guests said some remarkable things. She said her faith had not been diminished even though she had fought to the last minute expecting a miracle. In retrospect, she said, one must also accept that this decree was Hashem’s will. She went on to say that one of the Rabbi’s of the Gush comforted the people by telling them that they had the privilege of being the Tzadikim who were sold in order to avert possibly harsher decrees against the whole Nation and like Yoseph who was sold to Egypt these perfidious events are still unraveling and leading us somewhere.

The most haunting image that she remembered was the teshuva she witnessed entering the hearts of even the hardest soldiers. They had been trained to expect an armed rebellion and were ready to shoot and possible kill their brothers. What they met were people dancing with Torah’s and singing and praying. They saw the heart and the soul of the Jewish people and no one had trained them for this experience. The children and grand-children of those who had escaped persecution had now become the persecutors and this was the family that they never knew. Many soldiers broke down and were sobbing.

She went on to say, that the effect that the Hitnatkut had to the Nation and the war that followed was profound. Not only did the whole Nation see that we are all Gush Katif but the seeds that were sown from those tears are still bearing fruit.

From the self sacrifice of the children of the Orange Revolution, the Tzadikim who’s homes and livelihoods were destroyed, the soldiers who found a crack in their armor just below their hearts, the masses of Northern refugees that suddenly became Gush Katif, the tears of the families of the fallen, the bubble of indifference and complacency that was shattered, the isolation and fear, which is the beginning of faith and wisdom, all of these pieces are finding their place in the puzzle as the new light of the year approaches. May it speed the way for us to rebuild all that which is broken.





Yom Kippur 2006


Sparks From Israel



The Quiz
In the old country before January 1st you might see some news shorts about people and their New Year resolutions, along with a list of places to party. In Israel, however, it is a little different. The day before Yom Kippur I was stopped on the street by a group of 12 year old kids. Their teacher was taking them on a Yom Kippur outing and their job was to interview people about Yom Kippur. They asked me if I planned to fast this year, and what was the meaning to me. Was their anything I would do differently this year? What was the meaning of the Yom Kippur prayers to me? What role does Hashem play? They wrote down my answers in their books and it felt so nice to connect with the children of our Nation on such a deep level regarding the meaning of prayer. Our New Year isn’t a party, but a re-awakening.

Outside and Inside
A late comer ran into the synagogue to say Kadish in a loud voice followed by a Baruch Hu. The congregation answered ‘amen’ and then one person said to him we don’t do ‘Baruch hu’ now, we have an order that we follow, you should come early. He yelled back at this man for embarrassing him and went on to say that he missed the Boruch Hu prayer and it’s the obligation of the congregation to respond ‘amen’ regardless, and then others began debating and the man said in a loud voice. ‘Is there anyone else who would like to publicly embarrass me the day before Yom Kippur, please, I invite you’.

Threatened with the prospect of divine retribution the crowd settled down and after a few more moments of bickering everyone was sitting at the same table eating a nice Kiddush sharing Vodka and words of Torah. I turned to my Canadian friend and said ‘you see how normal it is here? Where we come from people are polite and that person would have held his resentment inside for a week a month, maybe years, from one silly comment. Here people react, they get upset, they yell at each other, and then it’s forgotten and they are brothers again. It’s great to be Jew in a land of Jews and learn how to be the same outside as you are inside.