from the
Holy Land
from
Rabbi Ephraim
Schwartz
"Your friend
in Karmiel"
March 24th
2023 -Volume 12 Issue
23 2nd of Nissan 5783
Parshat Vayikra
(Don’t miss our book offer
and free sampler here Rabbi Schwartzes Pesach book Sampler! CLick! )
Our
sages tell us that the month of Nissan “took 10 crowns”. It was the
first of Creation, The day when the Shechina returned to our nation, Hashem’s
Mishkan was coronated and it was the day when the first Priestly blessings were
given amongst others. This year it took another “crown”. It took the precious
neshoma of my wife’s youngest sister Yehudis Penina bas Avraham Tzvi, may her
memory be blessed. It seems the ten crowns weren’t sufficient for this month to
take. The crown needed it’s precious yiddishe ‘pearl’ to adorn it as
well. And there was no pearl more precious and dearer than Yehudis was.
She
was so young. She had so much love to give. She had only just a few years ago
found her bashert; her soulmate Yoily, after so many years of davening, of emuna
that one day she would find the neshoma that 40 days before she was born would
complete her. Yoily was certainly her bashert. She had so much love for him.
She was so happy when I first met the two of them together. He fulfilled her
and she him. They were each other’s worlds. They had both found happiness.
Yet,
it seemed that Hashem felt that those few happy years together was all that she
needed to achieve what she was sent down this world to accomplish. The pearl
was needed for the crown. And we, her husband, her siblings-step and half as
well,which were just as precious and dear to her as all of her other ones, her
parents, loved ones, her friends and all that were privileged to know her and receive
her love and be touched by her spirit, warmth, smile and laugh for 41 short years
are left here bereft with only her memory and her inspiration left.
It
doesn’t make sense that we should be eulogizing Yehudis. That anyone should. It
doesn’t make sense that she’s not here. She was the cute little sister of my wife.
She was our flower girl. She was my children’s favorite aunt. The one closest
to them in age that they could relate to. Her laugh. Her smile. And yes, her emuna
that everything is from Hashem. That whatever suffering she had- and she had so
much at the end, was what Hashem wanted for her. That she could get better.
That miracles can and do happen. That she would have a life, a family. That she
would be with us and us with her, for a lifetime. We just didn’t know how short
that lifetime would be…
But
Rosh Chodesh Nissan she was called back. This month of the ‘crown-taking’ is
one that Jewish custom has it, that no eulogies are said, and thus I shouldn’t
be giving one. You always have to love those people that start off their forbidden
eulogies by saying “this is not really a eulogy”.
It
is a month of joy. It is a month of redemption. It is a month of the inauguration
of the Mishkan, of the Kohanim, of the Nesi’im- princes and of Kings. But I
realized this morning perhaps an even deeper reason why no eulogies are recited
this month. Why there is none that are recited today on this Rosh Chodesh- the
head of the entire month and of all months. For today is as well the
yahrtzeit of two other people for whom no eulogy was really said. Two
people for whom no eulogy needs to be said.
Rosh
Chodesh Nisan is the only other Yartzeit, besides for Rosh Chodesh Av when Aharon
Ha’Kohein we are told died, that is recorded in the Torah. The Torah doesn’t
tell us the date when Moshe Rabbeinu dies, when Avraham Avinu or any of the Patriarchs,
Matriarchs or 12 tribes died. Yet on Rosh Chodesh Nissan-the day of no eulogies,
on the same day that the Mishkan of Hashem was inaugurated, there was another
parent that was burying his children. It was Aharon Ha’Kohen whose two children
Nadav and Avihu were taken. It is their Yartzeit today as well.
When
Aharon is told, his response is one silence and acceptance. There is no eulogy.
There is no mourning on this special day. And perhaps from that time on there
never was. Moshe tells Aharon that the two of them were even greater than him
and Aharon themselves. That they were sacrifices that were brought up in the Mishkan
to sanctify Hashem’s name.
B’krovai
eh’kadeish- I become sanctified with those that are close
to Me.
Those
are the pearls and precious stones for My crown. There is nothing to mourn
because they are right here next to Me. They adorn the Melech. It is
that silent acceptance of Aharon, in the face of their brutal and incomprehensible
“untimely death” on this special day when I came down to rest My presence back in
my nation and build My home on this world, it is that incredible emuna that
makes Me sanctified. It is that unwavering faith that we don’t understand
everything… anything… that is the crown. That is how I can come down to this
world. That is how the world can be redeemed in Nisan.
Yet,
Moshe tells us that despite that there is no eulogy, that there is no
questioning, yet he says there is crying.
V’acheichem
kol bais Yisrael yivku es ha’sereifa asher saraf Hashem- And your brothers,
all of Israel, will cry the fire that Hashem burned.
Aharon
is silent, yet the nation, his brothers and sisters are all kol bais Yisrael-
we are one house, we are one family united in this tragedy. We are crying. We’re
not crying and even mourning their death, Moshe tells us. Rather, we are crying
for the fire that Hashem had to send to bring that awareness of how special,
how dear and how precious they were, and how holy they are to Him in such a fiery
way. In a way that we realize that this is not something that is the normal way
of the world. In a way that is even so painful to Him- as it uses that special
name of mercy of Hashem in describing this fire that He brought. It is the sereifa
asher saraf -the merciful Father in heaven.
It
is the happiest day of the world since Creation, when Hashem’s presence was
about to finally come down. It was not a day for tragedy. It was Nisan. Yet, it
was on this day that Hashem in His mercy and caring for us needed to send us a
message; to make us cry and appreciate how precious our lives are. How precious
every act we do is. How we can’t take for granted one moment, one second, one
act, one mitzva, one good deed and one smile that can light up the world.
Aharon is silent, but Moshe tells him that we his brothers are crying and will
always remember the fire and loss that is the legacy and final message his sons
have left us in their deaths on this Rosh Chodesh Nisan.
There
is something else precious about the crying of the nation. The Imrei Shefer
says an unbelievable idea. He quotes a verse in Yirmiyahu
Al tivku la’meis v’al tanudu lo-
do not weep for the dead and do not lament him
Becho becho l’holeich- rather weep you shall
weep for he who is leaving
Ki lo yashuv od liros Eretz moladato-
for he will not return to see the land of his birthplace.
Have comforting Shabbos,
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz
This
week's Insights and Inspiration is dedicated as a zechus for Yehudis Penina bas
Avraham Tzvi Z”L. May her holy neshoma have an aliya and may she be a meilitz
yosher- a divine advocate to Hashem to bring consolation to all of those that
mourn her and will miss her.
May her special
husband Yoily, know no more tzaar, her mother and her siblings that cared
so much for her be comforted, and may
all of us that she was dear to and loved fill that tremendous void she has left
behind with merits, closeness and the simcha that she gave us as she will be
our inspiration forever.
Tihei
Zichra Baruch- may her memory be a blessing.
******************************************************************
**********************
GUESS
WHO’S BACK IN MISHPACHA MAGAZINE JUST IN TIME FOR CHANUKA!
It’s
your favorite Rabbi Tour Guide!!
Check
out my latest article on the
HILLS OF EPHRAIM
SHILO!!
https://mishpacha.com/dance-of-unity/
And
then post share, and send letters to Mishpacha telling them how much you enjoy
them!
*************************************************
PESACH IS ALMOST HERE HAVE YOU GOTTEN THE MOST IMPORTANT THING
FOR THIS HOLIDAY YET???
(All proceeds go to supporting our local shul who”s campaign
recently you may have not yet contributed to although you had meant to of
course… 😊)
HERE”S
A FREE SAMPLER LINK!!!
Rabbi Schwartzes Pesach book Sampler! CLick!
Can you believe that Pesach is right around the corner? The great
holiday is coming around the bend and I’m sure you’ve started getting ready
with your preparations. Making your plans, cleaning your house, buying your
matzos, finishing up your Chametz and even beginning to think about all of the
inspiration that you will tap into this great holiday and that you will share
with your family.
Well, as usual when it comes to inspiration and insights, we want
to be here to help you and therefore we’ve got the best gift you can buy
yourself or whoever you wish to share this holiday with. None other than Rabbi
Schwartz’s two great books aptly titled
"The
Most Enjoyable Book You'll Ever Read About Pesach"
That totally sold out is in its second printing and the follow-up
that original work
From
the Back page blurb
Really?!! The most enjoyable book about Pesach?
What will I find here that I haven't heard before?
You'll have to read it to find out. One thing we can guarantee is
that this book will certainly be one that you will be able to enjoy over and
over again.
With his world-renowned wit and wisdom and his love for every Jew,
Israel, and inspiration (and chulent), Rabbi Schwartz brings to life the
timeless and yet original messages and ideas that the holiday of Pesach can and
should mean to every Jew.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS INCLUDE GREAT CHAPTERS ON
Shabbos
Ha’Gadol, Exile, the Plagues, Pesach Seder and Redemption
And
great articles enjoyably and mystically titled
Just
one Shabbos,
Kid-ding
Around
Ani
V’Atah
The
Worst Jew
Bedtime
Stories
Of
Mouth and Men
Plagued!
Animal
House
Jewish
Trip Planning,
The
Holy Prophet
A Song
for the Ages
Make
Me Proud
And many many more…
AND
THEN ROUND OUT YOUR COLLECTION WITH BOOK NUMBER TWO CREATIVELY TITLED…
The-
'Next'- Most Enjoyable Book You'll Ever Read About Pesach""
Your
Most Enjoyable Pesach Book 2.0.
From the slave pits in Egypt to the jungles of Africa, the streets
of Jerusalem to the locked-down houses in Karmiel, Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz with
his enthusiasm, inspiration and laughter, guides you through the holiday of
Pesach as you've never experienced it before.
Whether you've joined him on tours, read his Mishpacha
magazine columns, been inspired by his teachings, or whether
you just like his picture on the cover of this book, you are sure to be
enlightened, inspired and entertained. This year God Willing will finally be the
year of Redemption IYH and you want to make sure your ready for that special
passion of Eretz Yisrael and appreciate Pesach in the most enjoyable way with
Rabbi Schwartz
Great
chapters include
Imaginary worlds
Scar-place
Jungle time
Coro-nachas
The first seder
Zaydie maysehs
Plague-demic
Hitting the jackpot
Galus america
The morning after
and much much more
It's the perfect Pesach Prep book, an amazing Seder accompaniment
and the perfect way to enjoy your holiday as never before
From
the back cover
Quotes- That Were Never Said
This is a really great book, I'm so glad that my son become a
rabbi, tour guide, and author rather than a Doctor or a Lawyer ."-My
Mother
Our father is a very wise man and we love listening quietly at the
Shabbos table to his Torah E-mails -My children
"This is a
really great book, I'm so glad that my son become a rabbi, tour guide, and
author rather than a Doctor or a Lawyer ."-My Mother
"This book has changed my life in so
many ways; I attribute all my success in life to Rabbi Schwartz's insights and weekly
Inspiration."-- Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz
"I knew that when I threw him out of
my Yeshiva it would inspire him to become the next leader of the Jewish people."-
-Quite a few of my Rabbis and Principals
“This
book contains no pictures of women and barely mentions any female names—
besides the ones who make chulent- Most Jewish magazines
“I love being on a diet; it makes me feel so healthy."-
The author
From the beginner to the greatest scholar, from the Kabbalist to
the Chasid to the Yeshiva student, young and old, this book will definitely be
the most enjoyable book you've ever read about Pesach.
STOP
CLEANING FOR FIVE MINUTES AND CLICK ON THE LINK-YOU DESERVE THE BREAK-YOU KNOW
THIS WILL MAKE YOUR PESACH EVEN MORE ENJOYABLE
This
is almost as important as buying Matza!!
To order this book which is not available in stores this year,
please respond to this E-Mail to Rabbi Schwartz
The book is a 65 NIS or $20 USD donation for
one or both for 125 Shek or $36 to the Young Israel
of Karmiel and Rabbi Schwartz'es weekly insights
(plus shipping where
necessary)
Please be in touch and be the first ones to get this for this year,
before it hits stores next year...
TO RECEIVE THIS BOOK PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO
with your mailing address
Payment can be made
1) by the link on this page!
********
YIDDISH PROVERB OF THE WEEK
“A tropn libe brengt a mol a yam trern.”- A drop of love can bring an ocean of tears.
RABBI SCHWARTZ'S TOUR GUIDE EXAM QUESTION OF THE WEEK
answer below at end of Email
16) The style
of architecture which characterized construction in Tel Aviv in the 1920s is
called:
"___________
architecture".
What
characterizes the "International Style" of architecture?
A) combining
different architectural styles from around the world
B) Renaissance
symmetry and sloped roofs
C) simplicity
and avoiding excessive ornamentation
D) aspiration
to height and gliding arches
RABBI SCHWARTZ’S COOL VIDEO OF THE WEEK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzoP8xsPDM
- Ki Hinei Ka’Chomer a beautiful rendition from Bustan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8pGeGgXQ00
-Gil Asher – Olam Shel Ahava- world of love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzGPU_DWIuU
– One of the most powerful videos I’ve seen… a
Jew comes to demonstrate against Judicial reform, against Chareidim, Against
religious coercion- he then hears the song of Shabbos and his neshoma awakens…
you have to see this…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV3XUiUbCAM
– Moshe Shneider The time is Now
beautiful
RABBI SCHWARTZ'S ERA’S AND THEIR
PLACES AND PEOPLE IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK
Naaman- 680
BC- Last week
we introduced the concept of the Christians stealing Jewish stories and
biblical figures and turning them into pre-configurations of the bubbeh
maysehs of their New Testament. Well this week we continue the saga
fascinatingly enough with Elisha bringing “salvation” to the righteous gentile
general of the nation of Aram named N Naaman who suffered from
leprosy.
Now the nation of Aram is located in Syria and is a
larger region that goes all the way up to Turkey. It’s there where
Avraham starts from in Charan, it’s where Yaakov hangs out by Uncle
Lavan (Ha’Arami- as we say by the Pesach Seder) and its where 11 of 12 tribes
are born! It’s where we shtam from. The King of Aram had waged war on Achav
the previous king and Naaman had been the general that actually
carried out the Divine punishment by killing Achav in battle. Hashem,
our sages tell us, did this to show that He held this goyish general in higher
spiritual esteem than He did the King of Israel. Pretty remarkable and an
important lesson that we don’t have a monopoly on the favor of Hashem. Now
although Naaman was an idolator, unlike Achav, Hashem didn’t hold
it against him, because that what the culture he was born it- which is another
important lesson. Yet, Hashem wanted to give him an opportunity to discover the
truth. And what better place to do that than Eretz Yisrael!
Yet first Naaman had to be humbled and thus he was given
leprosy. When he captured a young Jewish girl in one of his incursions into
Israel, she advised him to go to the prophet of Israel in the Shomron
who might heal him. It seems that even back there was an idea of going to
tzadikim for yeshuos! And even goyim would buy into that…
Naaman
turns to his King who then forwards this request to the King of Israel Yehoram.
And here’s the tragic part of the story. Yehoram, didn’t believe that Elisha
could do the job. He was angry and bitter at Elisha who had rebuked him
for his idolatry, and he therefore saw this request as a ploy from Aram to
wage war on Israel. So he rent his clothing and mourned. Crazy! Yet think about
it in modern terms. Imagine the King of Syria or Iran wants a
bracha from Reb Chayim Kanievsky to heal him. How do you think Bibi
would react? How about if Lieberman, Lapid or Bennet were Prime
Minister? Do you think that they would be fine with those “Chareidim” bring the
salvation of Klal Yisrael. That’s what was going on…
Yet, Elisha hears about this and sends a message to Yehoram,
that he will heal him. Let him come. And so Naaman journeys to Elisha.
What happens? Stay tuned next week….
RABBI SCHWARTZ’S JOKES OF THE
WEEK
Yeah…
sorry just not in the mood this week… next week I promise double…
********************************
The answer to this week”s question is C –This is one of those questions that most tourists are not interested in, yet it’s an important one for the tour guiding course. See, most people don’t really care about architecture, certainly not modern architecture. And 1920’s is considered modern in this 4000 year old country of ours. Yet, it is the Bauhaus architecture that was imported here by German Jews that came from Germany before the war which was known for it’s simplicity, which is basic square buildings on second stories with the carports underneath that would be cool and shaded that you see all over Tel Aviv that in fact gave the city it’s UNESCO World Heritage status as the “White city”. So yeah, it’s important to them. And of course I got it right as they knocked it into our heads. So that makes the score as of now 13.5 for Schwartz and 2.5 for Ministry of tourism on this exam so far…
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