Karmiel

Karmiel
Our view of the Galile

Friday, August 26, 2022

Holiday Vacation- Parshat Eikev 2022 5782

 

Insights and Inspiration

from the

Holy Land

from

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

"Your friend in Karmiel"

August 26th 2022 -Volume 11 Issue 46 29th of Av 5782

 

Parshat Eikev

Holiday Vacation

 

It’s been a long summer Baruch Hashem. The tourists are back in full force. It’s been non-stop. Day after day, week after week. It’s beautiful. It’s amazing. It’s like yetizas Mitzrayim. Everyone is coming. Those that didn’t make it are coming Sukkos. My phone hasn’t stopped ringing and my whatsapp hasn’t stopped dinging. Am I available? Can I help them find someone who is? Where should we go? Can you find someone that at least could help me plan itinerary? The answer to the last question by the way is- yes. My daughter Shani is amazing at doing itinerary and concierge planning for all your reservations and trip ideas. She worked for another company for years until Corona and now is in business for herself. She even hired my next daughter (the Kalla!) to work for her. My father’s dream of having a family business is finally happening. But instead of selling metal. We are selling the Eretz that our Parsha tells us is avaneha barzel- it’s rocks are like iron.

 

But I’m getting tired. In the beginning of the season I was all friendly and nice and patient with my tourists. I’m so excited to see you. Sure… take your time answering my questions. No problem come an hour and half late and change up my whole schedule that I planned for you. It’s alright if you want to daven for three hours by a kever. I’m so happy you’re here. I’m so happy I’m not on my couch anymore. Here I am Ephraim Schwartz at your service. Yeah… that was a few months ago. Now just get in the car and let’s move. Answer my questions quickly it’s hot outside. If you want to daven- that’s fine. But I have to get home before 3:00 AM after I drive you back to Jerusalem and then come back up North again- so why don’t you just daven that your tour guide doesn’t leave you here by the kever and pick you up tomorrow morning. You can have an all nighter. It’s a really bug segula. Trust me, I know. I’m a Rabbi. I would never make anything up.

 

But vacation is over the horizon. It’s a week and a half away. You all go back and I take out my tzimmer that I go to up in the western Galile and sit in Jacuzzi and overlook the magnificent mountains and the sunset over the Sea and I don’t even have to point it out to you or anyone. There’s nobody to talk to. I’m there by myself for a day or two until the family comes up for Shabbos. It’s just me, Hashem and His land that he gave me the privilege to live in, to guide in, to make my parnassa once again from. And I just want to be alone with that thougt. And not talk to anyone for three days. Then I’m good again. I’m recharged. I’m ready for the Sukkos mad rush. For my High Holiday season in my shul. I’m almost there. My vacation is around the corner. I need as the English say a “Holiday”. I’m all ready for it.

 

Which kind of brings me to this week’s Parsha. I say kind of because I really just had to put it out there as this is my weekly venting spot, and then I have to find a parsha connection to make it all work. The science of a Rabbi Schwartz E-Mail. Well this week’s Parsha is all about tour guiding, as I note every year. It’s all about Hashem selling Eretz Yisrael to the nation. He gives us a guided tour of a land of milk and honey, of streams coming out of the hills and valleys, of agriculture and of quarries and holy sites. He then tell us that he as well is looking forward to His holiday season that follows this. In fact this week we bless the upcoming month of Elul when we begin our preparations for the High Holidays and it is as well the only place in the entire Torah where Rosh Hashana is mentioned as the beginning or “Head” of the year. Before I tell you where this is let’s pause and see if you can figure out where?

 

Ok. Time’s up. I’m hungry and as I said I have no patience anymore. I have to take a nap after my tour today before Shabbos comes in and I have to daven for the tzibur (because everyone else is either too slow or too fast or they sing too much or not enough for me. It’s hard being the only one who knows how to do it right). So the answer is in quite a not obvious place. The parsha tells us.

 

Devarim (11:10) Because the land that we are coming to inherit is not like the land of Egypt from where we came… It is a land of hills and valleys that will drink rain water. It is a land that Hashem our God seeks after it tamid- always; mei’reishis ha’shana ad acharis shana- from the beginning of the year until the end of the year.  

 

Did you get that? From the beginning of the year. Rashi notes, that is a reference to Rosh Hashana. In fact it’s the only time where it is called the head of the year. The truth is it really doesn’t even make that much sense here in that context, as a second before it says Hashem seeks it out always. Constantly. Well, if it is constant, then what is the year-to-year thing? I thought it’s always. So Rashi explains that every year Hashem seeks out on Rosh Hashana what the land needs for good times and bad times. By the way this is the prelude to the 2nd paragraph of Shema that we recite twice daily. It’s all about Eretz Yisrael. That’s what Rosh Hashana is all about. That’s what everything really is about. The holiday season has begun.

 

There is a fantastic medrash yalkut that says that Hashem wanted to make a holiday every month of the summer. In Nissan we have Pesach, Iyar we have Pesach Sheini, Sivan we have Shavuos, Yet  in Tamuz we would’ve had Rosh Hashana and Av would be Yom Kippur. Yet because we sinned we lost the holidays of Tamuz and Av. When we did teshuva in Elul we got them back and Hashem packed them all into the month of Tishrei. Now you understand why we have so many holidays in one month. The Panim Yafos though makes a fascinating revelation based on this. He asks the question of how Rosh Hashana could be in Tamuz. Isn’t it supposed to be the anniversary of when the world was created? Where does Tamuz fit in? And what is Yom Kippur doing in the month of Av for that matter as well?

 

He answers that Rosh Hashana isn’t the anniversary of the creation of the world. That took place on the 25th of Elul. Rosh Hashana is the anniversary of the birth of Man. It’s the 6th day of Creation when Adam was created. That being the case, he says, it makes sense that it would therefore be in Tamuz. For on the 17th day of Tamuz when Moshe came down with the tablets we would’ve then had the Torah. We would’ve been born anew. We would’ve rectified the sin of Adam. We could’ve rebuilt and once again shined the light of Hashem back in the world. We would’ve restored the world to paradise; to Gan Eden.

 

11 days after that 17th of Tamuz we would’ve then entered Eretz Yisrael. It would’ve been Rosh Chodesh Av. When we enter the land we are told V’Chipeir admoso amo- the Jewish nation achieves atonement by being in the land of Israel. All our sins would’ve been forgiven. We were almost there but then we sinned. The 17th of Tamuz became a fast day and Tisha B’Av is a day of eternal mourning. We lost it. We have a packed month of Tishrei instead. And our summer…. It’s a time to recapture and get into the mode of appreciating the beauty and love for Eretz Yisrael. It’s a land that Hashem is always looking at from Rosh Hashana. It’s the months when we can once again get back to paradise if we understand two things.

 

The first thing is that this is the place that we need to be. Not Egypt. Not Boro Park. Not Lakewood. Not Detroit or what my father calls the other Jerusalem Boca and Century Village. It’s here. That’s the destination.

 

The second thing and perhaps even more important than the first is why we’re here. It’s all about fulfilling the mitzvos here. It’s here and only here where those mitzvos have meaning and connect to the source. Rashi tells us Hashem looks at Eretz Yisrael and it’s here where he shines out the light and passes His decrees out to the rest of the world from. It’s based on our connection here. It’s based on how much light we shine out from here. It’s the mitzvos we do here, the Torah we learn here, the shemitta we keep here, the Shabbos and holidays we celebrate here. The summertime, these months are the holiday months to learn those lessons and to internalize them. And klal Yisrael is getting it finally more and more and more Baruch Hashem.

 

So yes, Rabbi Schwartz needs a holiday. But the truth is do you know who else does? Our Father in heaven. Every year parshas Eikev the week when we bless the upcoming month of Elul this week He reminds us of that Rosh Hashana the way it was meant to be. The time it’s supposed to be. He’s waiting for that Shofar blast that we will start after next Shabbos to be the one that not only wakens up but rather that heralds in our redemption. I’ll be sitting in my Jacuzzi overlooking the mountains of the Galil and the sunset over the Mediterranean as well waiting for that blast. Hashem will be hanging with me as well. Our vacation is almost over. It’s time for the real holidays to begin.

Have an uplifting and invigorating Shabbos,

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

 

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WE’RE BACK IN MISHPACHA!

After a few months of busy tour guiding hiatus was finally able to get out the long awaited

MISHPACHA MAGAZINE

Tour guiding column

Check out this week’s edition and column as I explore the Golan and Gilead region along Syrian borders of Israel. It’s this week’s parsha as well- how incredibly timely.

Click here to read article

https://mishpacha.com/lookout-for-peace/

share, comment, let me know what you think, tell them how much you missed me and enjoy a taste of Eretz Yisrael with your favorite weekly tour guide Rabbi

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YIDDISH PROVERB OF THE WEEK

 

“Kirtser geshlofen, lenger gelebt..”- The less you sleep, the more you get out of life.

 

RABBI SCHWARTZ’S FAVORITE VIDEO OF THE WEEK

 

https://soundcloud.com/ephraim-schwartz/kum -  It’s Bein Hazmanim! Vacation time!  Atime for hikes and to explore Hashem’s country he gave us.  In honor of that I give you my latest and perhaps even most geshmak composition yet! Kum! Sung and arranged by the amazing Dovid Lowy!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itz81F8Ug5A – Beri Weber’s latest video release Chag Samayach

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG0lbfGUpwU Yakov Shwekey’s two realeases two weeks in  a row. This one is Baruch Hashem it’s Shabbos

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NZRLrarukQ Very excited by this sampler of Naftali Kempeh’s upcoming Elul Zman release

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9Y4GtbAKmw   and getting into the Elul Mode Wake Up yidden from 8th Day and the Thank You Hashem Crew!

 

 

RABBI SCHWARTZ'S TOUR GUIDE EXAM QUESTION OF THE WEEK

answer below at end of Email

 

7)  The majority of the water supply at Masada was stored in  _________

Their source was from  

A)  the rainwater that fell on the mountain

B)  From the springs of Ein Gedi that were transported through aqueducts

C)  From underground fresh water springs by the Dead Sea

D)  Flood waters that were directed and brought via aqueducts to the mountain

 

RABBI SCHWARTZ'S PARSHA/SHABBOS CONNECTION OF THE WEEK

 

Awesome Shabbos- Parshat Eikev- The parsha this week tells us about the mitzva to have fear or awe of God. Moshe describes this central mitzva in seemingly a very easy way.

Mah Hashem elokecha sho’el mei’imcha ki im l’yirah as Hashem- What does Hashem ask of you only to fear Him and to follow in his ways.

 

This doesn’t seem like such an easy mitzva. Our sages even note that maybe for Moshe it’s an easy thing but for us mere flesh and blood mortals that never spoke to Hashem and went up to heaven as he did this does not seem like such a small task?

The Chasidic commentaries note from the Baal Shem Tov that the Torah is referring to a specific time of year when this easy. Do you know when it is? It’s in the mah days- the 45 days (the gematria of the word “What” does Hashem ask of you). Those 45 days are from the 15th of Av until Rosh Hashana. The days of awe. The days when the King is out in the field. The day when we can experience Hashem like no other. During this time of year it is the easiest to be in awe of the greatness of Hashem.

 

Similarly our sages tell us that the word Bereishis- the first word of the Torah and creation is the same letters as the words Yarei Shabbos- the awe of Shabbos. Shabbos is that day when as well we stand in awe of our Creator. We recall how He created the world each week. How He took us out of Egypt. How he gives us this weekly reminder that He is in control of everything and we are here to fulfill His will. Particularly these Shabbasos when we are within this 45 days of Awe we need to tap into that feeling. We need to internalize the awesomeness of the day and His love for us. If we do than we will finally see the day which is Kulo Shabbos.

 

 

RABBI SCHWARTZ'S ERA’S AND THEIR PLACES AND PEOPLE IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK

 

Elisha- 724 BC – After the rebuke of Hashem to Eliyahu, Hashem pretty much relieves him of his duty. He gives Eliyahu some jobs to anoint those that would restore and avenge the deaths of the prophets of Hashem and try to get us back into shape. But in the end he will not fulfil those roles. It will be his successor and primary student. Elisha Ben Shafat.

 

Who was this Elisha? It’s not clear from the text exactly what tribe he was from. Rashi suggests he was from tribe of Gad, Tosafos suggests that perhaps he was a Kohen. Eliyahu meets him on his way to Damascus which quite a distance from Sinai where he was at. If he was from the tribe of Gad which is located in Jordan today, if that was the case it would be on the way.

 

Our introduction to Elisha is that he is plowing with 12 oxen. Our sages see much symbolism in that as is quite obvious. The number 12 is an easy give away. Elisha is meant to bring the people under the yoke of Hashem. As well they point out that Elisha comes from a wealthy family. 12 oxen aren’t cheap. When Eliyahu passes by him he throws his cloak upon him. Elisha realizing this is a n opportunity of a lifetime begs Eliyahu to allow him to say good-bye to his family. He’s ready to go. But Eliyahu tells him that if he really wants the job then he has to leave everything behind. Without even blinking an eye. Elisha slaughters the 12 oxen and makes a feast for all the poor. He’s ready to go. And it was a good move. For as we will see in many ways Elisha even exceeded Eliyahu in the miracles and acts that he performed.

 

RABBI SCHWARTZ’S TERRIBLE VACATION JOKES OF THE WEEK

 

It would be great if I could take a 6-month vacation. Twice a year!

When you start looking like the person in your driving license, you know it’s time for a vacation.

 

A New York Yid left the snowy city for a vacation in Florida. His wife was on a business trip in Atlanta and was planning to join him in Florida the next day. When Yaakov reached his hotel, he decided to send his wife a quick e-mail.

 

Unable to find the scrap of paper on which he had written her e-mail address, he did his best to type it in from memory. Unfortunately, he missed one letter and his note was directed instead to an elderly Rebbitzin whose husband had passed away only the day before. When the grieving Rebbitzin checked her e-mail, she took one look at the monitor, let out a piercing scream, and fell to the floor dead.At the sound, her family rushed into the room and saw this note on the screen:

 

Dearest Wife,

Just got checked in. Everything prepared for your arrival tomorrow.

Your Loving Husband

 

P.S.: Sure is hot down here.

 

As soon as Izzy got home from work one evening, his wife Becky came up to him and said, "Izzy, our au pair has stolen two of our towels."

"Oh, really," said Izzy, not looking very interested, "that wasn't a nice thing to do."

"You're right it wasn't," said Becky, "they were the best towels we had, the two we got from the Hilton Eilat while we were on vacation last year."

 

A travel agent in Boca Raton Florida looked up from his desk to see an old lady and an old gentleman peering in the shop window at the posters showing the glamorous destinations around the world. Business had been great for the agent that week and the dejected couple looking into the window gave him a rare feeling of generosity.

He called them into his shop and said, "I know that on your pension you could never hope to have a holiday, so I am sending you off to a fabulous resort at my expense, and I won't take no for an answer."

He took them inside and asked his secretary to book two flight tickets and a room in a five star hotel. They, as can be expected, gladly accepted, and were on their way.

About a month later the little lady, Adela Diamond came in to his shop. "And how did you like your holiday?" he asked eagerly.

"The flight was exciting and the room was lovely," she said. "I've come to thank you. But, one thing puzzled me. Who was that old guy I had to share the room with?"

 

Where do sharks go on summer vacation? Finland!

Why can’t basketball players go on summer vacation? They’d get called for traveling!

Where do eggs go on summer vacation? New Yolk City!

Where did the sheep go on vacation? The Baa-hamas!

Why did Humpty Dumpty have a great fall? To make up for his miserable summer.

Where do ants go for vacation?  Frants

When math teachers go on vacation, where do they go? To Times Square.

When crayons go on vacation, where do they go? Color-ado!

Where do bees go on vacation? Stingapore!

 

Teacher: Berel please use the words “letter carrier” in a sentence.

Berel: Yes, ma’am. “My dad said that after seeing how many things my mom was bringing on vacation, he would rather letter carrier own luggage.”

 

The man behind the counter in El Al was arguing with Yankel: “But sir, your ticket is a child’s ticket! You must be at least 19 years of age to travel with it!”

Yankel said “You see how horribly long your delays are? You should be ashamed!”

 

Little Chaim’l returned to school after the summer break. He only had two days before his teacher called his mother to inform her of his misbehavior.

“Wait just a minute,” she said. “I had Chaim’l with me for three months and didn’t call you once when he misbehaved, why won’t you do the same for me?”

 

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Answer is D -  So this one was a tricky one. I really went back and forth on it a bit and ended up putting down the wrong answer. This is despite the fact that I was at Masada this past week (for the first time in a while and guided there!). Part A of the question was easy. The water was stored in water cisterns that were carved into the mountain and then brought up through the water gate. Part 2 was tricky though. Because there really is two answers. On the one hand the answer that I gave which was A is that the water that landed on the mountain did go down into cisterns and they even carved gutters into the mountain to gather it all, so that not a drop was wasted. As well however there was water that was diverted from the flood waters of the Nachal Ben Yair and Masada down below that was directed by aqueducts into the mountain itself and were brought up to the mountain from the cisterns in the mountain. That was the correct answer I believe. Perhaps since that answer also includes the mountain water that flowed down into those aqueducts into the mountain they like that answer better. I don’t know. I think its arguable. Especially since the model on Masada shows the water from the top of the mountain being more so than the ones brought frm the Nachal. Anyway, regardless it’s a huge engineering feat. Over 10 million gallons of water filled those cisterns annually. That’s huge and it filled all Herods Swimming pools, bathhouses and fountains.  So I got half on this one and the so the score now is Schwartz 6.5 and 1.5  for MOT (Ministry of Tourism) on this exam.

 

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