Insights and Inspiration
from the
Holy Land
from
from
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz
"Your friend in Karmiel"
November 15th 2013 -Volume 4, Issue 7 -12th
of Kislev 5774
Parshat Vayishlach
Pack it in
I have conceded.
It has taken me almost 20 years of marriage but I have finally accepted that I
can no longer reasonably expect to go on vacation or a trip with my knapsack,
extra pair of underwear and toothbrush. For what was for the first couple of
years one of the most frustrating events of our marriage has now become
something that I not only accepted as a necessity but as an opportunity to
stand back and appreciate how many things we have that we need to go
away for a weekend. Diapers, wipes, Shabbat shoes, weekday shoes, shirts,
pants, extra changes just-in -case, toys, books and that’s before we even start
with kosher food and all the accoutrements. Ok, maybe I haven’t totally
conceded…After all it’s only a weekend. I’m sure you guys out there are relating.
But I have learnt at least one lesson. No matter how much we do pack and
prepare; there will always be that one really important thing that we
forgot on the way to the airport.
Well, don’t feel bad. It
seems that this week’s Torah portion may be able to help us out once again. You
see our story picks up with our forefather, Yaakov, on the move once again as
he returns home with his family. And what do you know, the text tells us that
after transporting his family and possessions across the Yabok stream, Yaakov
remained alone. The Midrash explains that Yaakov appeared to have returned by
himself to fetch the small jugs that he had forgotten behind. Given that this
was before the times of the strict recycling laws and that Yaakov’s rather
impressive financial portfolio of sheep hardly made him desperate for a few
small containers, one has to ask the question men have asked for eternity: Is
it really worth going back for that?
The Talmud, troubled
with the necessity of Yaakov’s return for what seems to be a triviality,
particularly in the face of the upcoming danger of his “reunion “ with
his murderous brother Eisav, derives a peculiar yet intriguing lesson. “ We
learn from here that the righteous treasure their valuables even more then
their own bodies “. Is that supposed to be a good thing? Doesn’t
righteousness preclude worrying about the mundane? Shouldn’t they be above
that?
The answer as stated by
the Ari Z”L (one of the greatest 18th century Kabbalists) is that to
be able to recognize the gift of God in even the small things in life can only
happen when one is truly righteous. Yaakov understood that if he possessed
small jugs it is only because God had felt he needed them. To him these were
not merely convenient containers for leftover lamb stew, they were divine gifts
from a Creator that watches over and takes care of his every need. To leave
them behind would be to turn his back on the most valuable possession he had:
his relationship and his appreciation for his Maker.
There are so many things
in life that we know we shouldn’t take for granted: Our homes, our spouses, our
health and our families and we even make an effort at certain times to express
our thanks and appreciation for these gifts that we have. But what about the
small stuff? What about the diapers, the shoes, the pillows, the sale items at
the market, the thumbtacks for our post-it notes? Do we view them as gifts from
God? How much more powerful would our lives be if we had the ability to
perceive the incredible love that is present in every aspect of our lives. If
we are able to incorporate that, we will not only be well packed for this
weekend but hopefully for life.
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz
RABBI SCHWARTZ'S TOUR
GUIDE EXAM QUESTION OF THE WEEK
(answer below at end of Email)
The first "communal
neighborhood" built in Jerusalem was:
a) Mishkenot Sha'ananim
b) Machane Yisrael
c) Nachalat Shiv'a
d) Beit Dovid
RABBI SCHWARTZ'S YOUTUBE
CLIP OF THE WEEK
(Tunisian Synagogue Akko)
RABBI SCHWARTZ COOL
PLACES IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK-
Ohr TorahTunisian Synagogue, Akko- The coolest Shul in the world can modestly on rechov Kaplan street
but its glorious building inside is a testimony to the pure love of its
founder, who is still there daily , may he live long and be healthy the 87 year
old, Ben Tzion Badash. After arriving in 1948 from Tunis, Ben Tzion received the
empty land from the new Jewish municipality to build a shul, and until today
the building continues. The shul which boasts 4 floors of wall to ceiling
mosaics is truly a work and testimonly to a love of everything Jewish and
Israel. Every tree, plant, flower, fish, bird and coin that have been found in
Israel are depicted there. Stories from Tanach of our forefathers, the prophets
and kings of Israel, The Temple, the city of Akko and the four "holy cities"
of Israel and ancient maps that show the land in different eras as well as an
entire room dedicated to the communities of Europe. The glorious ladies section
has pictures of our matriarchs, a ketuva and the blessings that a woman makes.
The main sanctuary has beautiful windows depicting the different armed forces
of Israel and the crowning glory is the silver Ark doors that are dedicated to
the community of Tunis, The martyrs of Akko, the holocaust and Israeli soldiers
that have fallen in the various wars. A visit to the shul (the morning hours or
for afternoon and evening services) one can meet with Ben Tzion hear his life
story and receive a blessing of a true simple tzadik who is an inspiration to
us all. (see youtube below to hear ben zion and see shul)
****************************************
RABBI SCHWARTZ'S QUOTE
OF THE WEEK
******************************
RABBI SCHWARTZ'S JOKE OF THE WEEK
A mother goes into her son's room. "You've got to get up for school Bernie."
Bernie
pulls the blankets over his head. "I don't want to go to school."
"But you have to," his mother said.
"I
don't want to. The teachers don't like me and all the kids make fun of
me."
Mother
pulls the blanket back a little, "Bernie, you don't have any choice.
You've got to get up for school."
"Yeah," say Bernie, "Give me one good
reason!"
"You're 52 years old and you're the
principal!!!"
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RABBI SCHWARTZ' S EXAM
ANSWER OF THE WEEK
Answer is B: I got this one wrong! I answered Mishkenot Sha'nananim which
I knew was the first settlement outside of the walls. However that walled in
community right across the Mt. Zion was built by Moshe Montifiore and not
"communal". The right answer Mahane Yisrael by the Mamila pools was
started by the mugrabim (north Afircan and Morrocan Jews) under the leadership
of Rav Doid Ben Shimon known as the Tzuf Dvash who dedicated his life inspiring
love for Eretz Yisrael and charity work for the poor. The neighborhood established
in 1865 had about 30 families two synagogues, mikva and communal water cistern.
After the Ravs death the community was abandoned and rebuilt several times. The
other two choices were the next two communities that were built outside the
walls of the old city in the mid 1800's.
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