Insights and Inspiration
from the
Holy Land
from
from
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz
"Your friend in Karmiel"
January 29th 2015 -Volume 5, Issue 15 -2nd of Shvat 5775
Parshat Beshalach
To be a Chasid
His child was
sick. The Doctors had given up hope. There wasn’t much more he could do but
pray. His friends at the eclectic synagogue that he prayed at, consisting of
Chasidim with various Chasidic Rabbis and movement affiliations, all encouraged
him to approach their Rebbe for a blessing and for prayers. Not particularly
affiliated with any Chasidic movement or rebbe he went to a few of them for
blessings. The Vizhnitzer, Gerrer, Bobov, Lubavitcher, Satmar, Pittsburger and
Bostoner (he never made it out to the Karmieler J), all received him independently heard his woeful story
and all blessed him that his child should have a Refuah Shleima a complete
healing and promised to pray fervently for his recovery. He left feeling
renewed hope and comforted by their deeply empathetic caring and reception.
Returning from
his international “blessing tour” he went back to the hospital to find the
doctors standing in amazement at what they described could only be a miraculous
recovery. The tumor was gone, his organs were recovering, his son would live a
long healthy life. Tears flowing down the father’s face he pledged to give a
Kiddush the following week in his shul in honor of this incredible news. The
mood, as can be imagined in shul that week was jubilant. As the L’Chaims were passed
around the room on the special 18 year old single malt just right for the
occasion, the Chasidim began the ultimate debate; which Rebbe should get the
credit for the miracle that took place. Each Chasid claimed it was their Rebbe
that had stormed the gates of heaven and that had ultimately been responsible
for the healing of the young boy. Needless to say as in most good Jewish
debates of this sort no resolution was found. One of the Chasidim, of the
Satmar affiliation, decided after davening to walk down to his Rebbe, the
always sharp and to the point, Reb Yoel Teitelbaum ZT”L of Satmar, and ask him
who he thought should get the credit.
The Rebbe
heard his Chasid’s earnest quandary and responded in the way that only the
Satmar Rebbe was known to answer.
“Which Rebbe
will get the credit?” he asked his Chasid “Why
that’s simple. The Rebbe with the most Chasidim will ultimately get the credit.
Because, after all, he has the most adherents and they will be sure to
promulgate the story in their Rebbe’s name the most.”
“But who
really gets the credit?” he said wryfully,
“That is really the Ribono Shel Olam- The True Master of the Universe;
Hashem. But unfortunately He has only ‘vainegeh Chasidim’-too few Chasidim so
you may never really hear about it.”
What does it mean
to be a Chasid of the Almighty? For that matter what does it mean to be a
chasid at all? As a child growing up in Detroit there were not too many
Chasidim around (besides Chabad which of course are everywhere-but I mean the
big furry hats and long coats type). But every year we would have an annual
Stoliner Shabbat (or ‘shabbis’ as they would say it), when a hundred or more
Chasidim would come for their yearly pilgrimage to their Rebbe’s grave in
Detroit for special prayers. The memories of those Shabbosim are etched in my
mind. Loud, fervent, inspired davening, Kiddushes and Friday night Tish when
the Rebbe would lead his Chasidim in song while sharing his fruit and his drink
with them were all just parts of the other-worldly – or better yet old-worldly
experience that I had felt I entered in. Watching the Rebbe and listening to
him speaks pearls of Torah (in Yiddish- which I didn’t understand) one could
sense a feeling of holy awe that permeated the room. You were connected to
something higher than life. You wanted to be there forever.
This week is
known as Shabbat Shira- a Shabbat of song. The Torah reading of the week
contains in it the song our ancestors sang upon their miraculous salvation and
the splitting of the sea. The Talmud tells us that even the simplest
maidservant achieved a greater level of spiritual prophesy at that moment than
even the greatest prophets. They all became Chasidim of Hashem. And Chasidim
sing. There is a special custom this Friday before Shabbos Shira to give food
to the birds prior to the onset of Shabbat. One of the reasons given
for this custom is because the power of song is the domain of the birds. We
borrow their special power this week and share with them our food.
What is the
song of the birds? They are the most transcendent of creatures. They fly across
the skies and see the incredible beauty of Creation. Their songs are so close
to the heavens because they see the Almighty wherever they fly. When a Chasid
closes his eyes and sings he can also fly. His soul soars and he is connected
to Hashem, our Father… our Rebbe.
This Shabbos
is also always connected to the holiday of Tu B’Shvat the New Year of the
trees. Look outside and the trees still look dead and barren. The grass is not
green and the fruits are not yet growing. Tu B’Shvat tells us to look deeper.
Our sages and Botanists both agree that underground the sap is starting to
flow. The Creation and flourishing is just around the corner. The song is
slowly starting and we should already begin to sing. A true Chasid doesn’t need
to see the fulfillment of the blessing to begin his song. As soon as he knows
his Rebbe has heard his plea, he begins to rejoice. He can already hear the
song. So as you sit down with your family this Shabbat, teach them the song of
this Shabbos. Show them who your Rebbe is. Hashem could use a few more
Chasidim.
Have a musical Shabbos,
Rabbi
Ephraim Schwartz
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RABBI SCHWARTZ'S YOUTUBE CLIP OF THE WEEK
TU BISHVAT RAP
FUNNY ANNOYING ORANGE TU BISHVAT
*****************
RABBI SCHWARTZ'S FAVORITE QUOTES OF THE WEEK
" Dear Friend,
Stand Tall and Proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth
Reflect the light of a greater source
Think long term
Go out on a limb
Remember your place among all living beings
Embrace with joy the changing seasons For each yields its own abundance
The Energy and Birth of Spring
The Growth and Contentment of Summer
The Wisdom to let go of leaves in the Fall
The Rest and Quiet Renewal of Winter
Feel the wind and the sun
And delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that shines down upon you
And the mystery of the stars at night.
Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light
Be content with your natural beauty
Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your roots
Enjoy the view!– Ilan Shamir
RABBI
SCHWARTZ'S TOUR GUIDE EXAM QUESTION OF THE WEEK
(answer below at end of Email)
Q. What does the term ‘uqal
describe
A.
A type of headdress
B.
A type of obeisance in Muslim
prayer
C.
The people initiated into the
secrets of the Druze religion
D.
A title of respect for pilgrims
who visited Mecca outside the Hajj
RABBI
SCHWARTZ'S COOL MIDRASH OF THE WEEK
In Parshat Ki Tisa
after the sin of the golden calf when Moshe was pleading with Hashem that he
should not destroy the jewish people the Midrash recites a conversation between
Moshe and Hashem and the argument that was presented based on our portion.
Rav Berachia said
that in the name of Rav Chiiya Bar Ada of Yaffo who said from the name of Rav
Shmuel Bar Nachman that when the Jews came to the bitter waters of Mara Moshe
began to have suspicions in his heart " Why were these waters created?
What benefit does the world have from them? It was better that they were never
created. Hashem saw into Moshe's heart and answered him "Don't think this
way, for are they not the works of my Hands? There is nothing I have made that
does not have a purpose. Instead I"ll share with you what you should say.
Let the bitter become sweet…. This became as teaching in the hands of Moshe
which he guarded. When they came to the desert and Hashem wanted to destroy them
Moshe turned to Hashem and said "Master of the World, You seek to destroy
the Nation of Israel? Was it not You that taught me that one should always pray
that the bitter should turn sweet? Therefore now you should aprise the bitterness
of your nation and heal them.
Turn the bitter sweet…
RABBI SCHWARTZ'S COOL THINGS TO DO IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK
Plant Trees in Israel – Not
everyone is able to live in Israel (although they should J). Yet anyone can come here and plant a tree and
be part of the rebuilding of our holy land. When Iw as a kid growing up I
remember the JNF plant a tree Bar Mitzva gifts they used to give out. But today
when one comes to Israel it is a great worthwhile thing to contact the JNF and
plant a tree here. It is a mitzvah (just
not in shemitta year), and it really shows our settling of the land, as the
trees demarcate that this is our land. It is fascinating to stand in the north
of Israel and to gaze into Lebanon from the Galil and see the difference
between our country and its green trees that have been planted all over and the
empty barren hills of theirs. Planting a tree is a great way that everyone can
feel they have participated in the mitzvah of settling our land.
******************
RABBI SCHWARTZ'S TU BISHVAT TREE JOKES OF THE
WEEK
How do trees access the internet?
They log on.
They log on.
What did the tree do when the bank closed?
It started its own branch.
It started its own branch.
What type of tree fits in your hand?
A palm tree.
A palm tree.
How do you properly identify a dogwood tree?
By the bark!
By the bark!
Where do saplings go to learn?
Elementree school.
Elementree school.
What is an Oaks Favorite school subject?
Treegonometree.
Treegonometree.
What is every single tree’s least favorite month?
SepTIMMMBERRR!
SepTIMMMBERRR!
What must trees drink responsibly?
Root beer.
Root beer.
Why do trees hate tests?
Because they get stumped by the questions.
Because they get stumped by the questions.
*************************************************************
Answer is C: It's a strange religion the Druze. A break-off islam
in the 11th century the Druze believe that Islam lost its way and is
really meant to be a more spiritual/mystical religion. Thy believe in hidden
and revealed prophets. The holiest revealed is Moshe but the real prophet that
was hidden that was behind him was Yisro whom they venerate. Because their
religion was persecuted it became sealed and no one can become Druze. In addition
Druze have a choice if they want to be religious or not and 90% choose not to.
The Uqual are the religious ones-men and women and they are given special honor
and are the only ones that are allowed to learn the secrets of the religion and
practice the faith. Unlike us the Jewish people that each and everyone of us accepted
and are blessed with the mitzvah to learn and keep the Torah and mitzvos!
Ashreinu Ma Tov Chelkeinu. Asher Bachar Banu Mikol Ha'Amim- how fortunate are
we and how fortunate is our portion that Hashem has chosen us from all nations
and given us His Torah!
