The Holy Shlepper- Bob Ross 9th cheshvan 5772

Hashem’s “Holy Shlepper” Yerachmiel Nachum “Bob” Ross

 

I have known Bob for what I and he might consider most of his “life”. It was with my family that Bob first celebrated what he called his first “real Shabbos” I was at his “Bar Mitzva” at age 54, I was with him when he layed his first pair of Teffilin-Phylacteries, I joined him on his first trip to Israel and held his hand as he cried on the ancient stones of the Western Wall and as we traversed the land together. I was at his bedside with his first “almost death” and miraculous survival. I was with him as he inspired his older brother Bruce to put on his first teffilin. Not much  later in one of the most pivotal moments in Bobs life  he traveled to his grandfathers grave in St. Louis together with Bruce to be the first one in over 85 years to recite Kaddish for his grandfather on his Yarhtzeit. The trip which miraculously yet tragically ended with Bruces sudden passing-meriting and affording him a Jewish burial of which he otherwise would have never had. Our weekday Minyan In West Seattle began with Bob sitting Shiva for his brother in our home. Bob’s resolve to dedicate the Ross-Pechersky Sefer Torah in his brother and grandfather’s memory followed a and was  incredible financial undertaking that not too many “shleppers” whose meager salary from the Best Western Hotel would ever even consider undertaking. Yet for Bob it was his legacy and his families legacy he was restoring and there is no price tag that would ever convey the true value of his gift. As we danced under the Chuppa with Bob holding that Sefer Torah so close to his heart  as we brought it to its new home, I will never forget the tears that rolled freely down all of our faces in the presence of  his shining countenance reflecting an aura of someone who had truly come home.

When Bob’s daughter gave birth to his first grandson we were blessed to have him share his simcha with our shul. And when he finally met his Bashert. Roberta. Whom he described to me as the soul-mate he had been seeking all his life it was I who was privileged to officiate, dance and celebrate with my holiest of Shleppers. After his tragic accident when we thought we had lost Bob once again and all Doctors and prognosis seemed hopeless. Our Holy Shlepper, Bob once again pulled through. For two more years and one day according to the Jewish calendar from his accident and two years and a month from his wedding anniversary, 5 years and a month from his brothers passing and his Torah dedication we had our Yerachmiel still with us….

We thought it would be longer… We thought that you still had more time in your holy Shlepper satchel… We needed to see you fully recovered… We wanted you to come visit us with your Bashert in Israel, the land of our forefathers, the place where your soul was ignited and where all holy shleppers need to be. There were so many plans you had for your newest life together. So much you still wanted to give back to your wife who didn’t leave your side for the past years… So much love you wanted to share with your children, your grandchildren, your friends, your colleagues, the world… and even with me your simple Rabbi who was privileged to know you…love you… and have you as part of my family for too short a time. I feel I know you for your whole life… but that life of yours and those accomplishments and souls you touched were all in less than 10 years…. A ten year lifetime with accomplishments, miracles and inspiration that most people cannot hope to have in a 100 year lifetime. Yet yours was still too short…It felt like it was just beginning.

What is a shlepper? What made Yerachmiel the holiest one I knew? A shlepper in Yiddish is someone who shleps-obviously… a mover, a baggage boy, perhaps one of the simplest jobs around. Bob, who worked as a concierge for the Best Western Hotel schlepping luggage and bringing its guests to and back from the airport, was not the type of person you would have expected to take on such a career. After all he was college educated, an excellent speaker and educator and was one of the most knowledgeable and engaged people I knew. In fact in his previous life had been involved in public office and even part of a lucrative business yet when he realized that there were things that were going on that were somewhat ethically questionable he left it all behind in order to engage in a simpler, yet certainly less lucrative and more strenuous career. Yet, as he told me once, his body may ache more but the weight on his soul and conscience is much lighter. And after all isn’t that what really counts?

But why a shlepper? Sometimes in life we find our career. Other times it finds us. Bob had an innate talent and gift to connect with strangers. To not only ease their weight and welcome them into a delightful hotel where they could enjoy their pleasurable vacations, but to make them smile and make them feel warm and welcomed. This past week and the coming week we read in the Torah portion about the role model that Bob lived up  to and emulated. Another shlepper; none other than the Father of the Jewish people- our forefather Abraham. Abraham the Torah tells us also was a shlepper. He had a way station for travelers whom he would wait for greet, feed. The ultimate concierge. The Torah portion this week even tells us how he waited outside his tent after his extremely painful and difficult circumcision surgery at the age of 99 trying to find guests to greet. To his delight he found three arab wanderers (who turned out to be angels sent by God to fulfill Abrahams need to welcome guests) who he runs after and prepares for them.

 I remember Bob after his surgeries and heart attack similarly always being concerned that those who came to visit him were seated made comfortable and greeted with a smile and with a question first always about how his visitors well being and families were doing. His doctors and nurses and even cleaning staff and fellow patients were amazed how someone who suffered so much and was barely just recovering was able to place his first thoughts about them to the extent that they were the ones who felt cared for by him.

That is how our Yerachmiel became a Shlepper. Perhaps even the prince of shleppers. But how does one become a holy shlepper… Once again we turn to the Torah that Bob treasured so much. And to our forefather Avraham. Avraham we are told did not just satisfy his drive and desire to do kindness with others by merely schlepping, clothing and caring for the so many guests that he came in contact with. Avraham had found, on his own,  a truth about the world. Rather than the idols and false gods that the entire civilized world at that time was worshipping, Avraham took a look at the world and realized that there was something greater that must have brought this world in to existence. That cared for it. That planned it. And that was in control of all that we see and experience. In the words of the medrash the tower has a builder and the builder and master cares for His creation. Avraham became the father of our people because unlike others who may have recognized that truth and went to bed and woke back up the next morning and chose to live in their illusionary “real world” He chose to share that truth with the rest of the world. For someone who is dedicated to a world of kindness is there a greater kindness then telling someone he or she has a Father who cares about them? That they were created with a purpose? That their life was meant to have eternal meaning? Avraham that first holy shlepper, not only schlepped peoples luggage he schlepped their souls. He brought mankind home  to their Father. He breathed that spirit of life once again in their souls.

And that, my friends was what our Yerachmiel did as well. He like our forefather Abraham was raised in an environment whose values were not focused on the spiritual or even with the values of the significance of Jewish continuity. The old world had been destroyed by the Holocaust and the new world had no room of the Judaism of old. The idols of his youth in the 60’s and the ever changing values and solutions in the years up to his new life were embraced by the world as the answer to all of  “history’s problem”. But Yerachmiel/Robert much like Abraham was a man of truth. He was not only able to see past contemporary societies mistakes, but was able to make changes and start to live a life based on the principals of our over 3000 year old heritage. Whether it was making the Sabbath the focal point of his week, praying daily and developing his personal and beautiful relationship with Hashem and doing his utmost to overcome the challenges that seemed never to stop coming his way, Bob recreated himself and with that of course the world that he encountered.

I cannot count the number of people that our holy soul shlepper brought into our shul. There was no one that was Jewish that encountered Bob that was not “fair play”.

 “What you’re Jewish? You’re a member of the Tribe?.. What are you doing for Shabbat this weekend?  I’ve got a great Rabbi that I think you would love to meet… and his wife is a great cook too… Do you have plans tonight? There’s a great Torah class I think you should come to. Sure I’ll even give you a ride…”

It was an almost weekly ritual my erev Shabbos phonecall with Bob.

“Hi Rabbi, Have I got a Jew for you…But don’t worry tell the Rebbetzin that I’m bringing over some extra food for dinner. Although I’m sure she’ll have enough.. You always do.”

And thus the West Seattle Torah learning Center or as we fondly called it “the TLC” was built. person by person… Jew by Jew… soul by soul mostly by our expert holy soul shlepper Yerachmiel Nachum/ Bob Ross. By our last year in Seattle before Bob and I left there were regularly 20-30 people each Shabbat joining us for meals. Jews who had chosen to reconnect to their heritage because they felt Bob’s true love for them and his sincere caring to share with them all that had meant so much to him. They wanted to get close to him and they wanted to taste and be part of that inspiration that made him who he was.

Bob, sadly did not leave any biological children. He however did leave many many orphans and mourners. He leaves his adopted family Desiree and Nona from his first early life in Seattle who he loved and cared for and took pride and joy in and the grandchildren they bore him and that he prayed for each day.

He leaves the angel of his life. Roberta. Who just as Abraham merited to have angels come take care and be there for him. Robert, who in his unassuming self deprecating way could never understand how he merited to be blessed to meet and marry. I call Roberta an angel and I do not exaggerate even a slight bit… As Bob gave life to so many, she in turn gave him his life these past few years. Her love, dedication and sacrifice for him is incomprehensible to most of us. Endless nights at the hospital, the doctors, the rehabilitation center and at home, she never left his side. Yet for all those who know and love her and Bob. There is no doubt that they were made for each other and the love that they shared for too short a time is something that not only will give her comfort but will forever serve as an inspiration to what true selfless love is all about. Roberta’s family became Bob’s family and the love that he shared and gave to them was so beautiful and yet once again too too short lived.

Yet Yerachmiel our holy prince of a shlepper also leaves behind as well all those in Seattle who feel orphaned without him. As the Torah tells us when Avraham left his home to go to Israel he took the souls that he made in Charan with him. Bob as well as he comes to the heavenly gates  with the souls he made and restored to our Father. There he is assuredly being welcomed by our forefather Abraham and Bob’s grandfather Nachum who he is named after, as well as the generations of ancestors that he reconnected with in this life in his restored his family line which will live forever in the Torah Scroll he dedicated . The Torah he shared will always live on. The Shabbatot that he sacrificed his livelihood so many times for will forever be an inspiration to those that shared them with him. And the individuals who he drew closer to our heritage with- the beauty of our holidays, the joy of traditions and the everlasting truth that we have one God in heaven who looks after and cares for us, will always live true to his legacy that in our fragile limited existences on this glorious planet Hashem created for us we are charged to make the world a better place.. a more loving place…a holy abode…

And then there is me. His simple Rabbi who feels he has lost his father, his brother, his friend, his partner and his greatest inspiration with the passing of Yerachmiel. To my children and wife he was our family and zaydie when everyone else lived so far away. Each Shabbos he would have a different treat, Our Purims were filled with his fun and costumes. Our shuls in Seattle (of which he was a pillar in all three transitions) were forever filled with his singing Friday nights during services, his insights into the Torah portion and his smile and good word to everyone. Our Shabbos meals in Israel still miss the heated discussions about everything from politics, sports and generally Judaism and Torah of which he was always the center. There is a hole in my heart and my soul without Bob, one that I need him so badly to fill in the way only he could. In my times of challenge he was always there for me as he was for so many. And now as we enter a new world without him. I know he is looking down upon us and will be praying to the Almighty once again to finally bring peace solace and comfort to the so many who are in pain and mourning from his departing.

I would like to conclude with an E-Mail I received from Bob after our first High Holidays together as we began our shared adventure of his new journey in life. It is from the holy Bob that not all were lucky enough to see.  It is a letter written to me but in truth I feel it reflects the deepest yearning of Yerachmiel Nachums soul.

My Beloved Rabbi,

No words can express my very first High Holy Holidays ( all 12 hours of soulful prayer) under the WSTLC tent. This last year was a test of my spirit and survival as a Jew. First, the Israel trip which connected me to the land of my forefathers, the marriage of both my daughters, the birth of my grandson Brock, the upcoming birth of my granddaughter Ayala, a heart attack in September 2005 and an emotional and exhausting divorce after 20 years of marriage.. On September 4th I discovered my grandfather's resting place in St. Louis after 89
years. Nachem Pechersky passed away on Sept. 25, 1917 and I, and my brother Bruce, will be the first to daven for his eternal soul.
I ask myself would my grandfather be proud of his Jewish grandson? There have been few mitzvahs that I have held in very high esteem yet I recognize that I have returned and that the gates of repentance and hope are slightly open. Today I felt that I, the grandson of Nachem Pechersky, held the keys for generations of Jews seeking to return to "Our Father, Our King." For nearly 60 years I have squandered my heritage and my self-worth and now I stand at the crossroads. During the ten days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur I couldn't stop sobbing for my grandfather who I never met. Somehow he was calling for me, pulling me, begging me to be the grandson he has prayed for to Hashem. With the family lineage nearly extinct Nachem waits for me, alone, in St. Louis for kaddish and a glorious 'world to come'. This experience has touched my soul that I can only describe from the second blessing of  the Shemoneh Esrei: /Who Is Like You, O Master of Mighty Deeds and Who Is Comparable to You, O King Who Causes Death //and Restores Life and Makes Salvation Sprout!/

Nachem...you have not been abandoned! Hashem will restore Life and Make Salvation Sprout. I will return to you as I have returned to my family at Sinai. We will be together as we share the eternity of Torah.

Robert Nachem Ross.

Yerachmiel, have you come home and made your Zaydie Nachum proud. We look forward to that time that you quoted from your daily prayer. When we will all be united once again.

With love from your humbled rabbi,

Ephraim Schwartz

The Magic Kingdom-Lech Lecha 5772

Insights and Inspiration
from the
Holy Land
from
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz
"Your friend in Karmiel"

November 4^th 2011 -Volume 2, Issue 2–6^th of Cheshvan 5772

Parshat Lech Lecha

 

The Magic Kingdom

It was a sad statistic. One that I’m still not sure is true. But one that certainly is reflective of the sad state of affairs of our people. Twice as many American Jews have been to Disney World than have been to Israel.  Yet considering that in circles that are not Orthodox (which make up a very large chunk of the 35 percent who have visited) and those who have visited on free Birthright trips only about 18 percent of Americans have ever gone. Even more depressing though, was that according to this study that I had heard, the majority of those whom did not come to Israel if offered a trip to Israel or to Disneyland they would take the latter. Now don’t get me wrong. I like Mickey Mouse as much as the next guy (or at least Donald Duck). I have even heard there is the possibility of getting Kosher food ordered in some of the restaurants in Disney.  But have we fallen so far from the days when even the mention of the word of Jerusalem would elicit tears of longing from even the simplest of our ancestors that we would trade it for a fleeting fantasy world?

Yet in some ways I can understand those who don’t come. It’s a long shlep, the media sounds scary, it’s a different culture. It’s not like they don’t support Israel. In fact Jewish contributions to Israel are up significantly over the past years. No less than 55 “Major Jewish Organizations” in the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the umbrella body for agencies, include Israel as a fundamental part of their portfolio. This doesn’t count the thousands of synagogues and even more schools that work to strengthen the ties of American Jews to Israel. There is also a significant amount of umbrella funds and foundations that provide much of the budgets of the over 18,000 non-profits in Israel. Beyond their financial contributions, American Jews are most active in advocating and lobbying in support of Israel. They just don’t see a point in coming here.

Ironically enough the State of Israel which is aware of the tremendous challenge of drawing more Jews to visit Israel has came up with the perfect solution. Two words…Disney Israel.  Although it is still in the development stages but the Mayor of Haifa is excited at the prospect of becoming a major world tourist site.  Just please don’t call him Mickey Moishe.

This week’s Parsha begins the story of the first of our ancestors to ever step foot in the Land. Avraham (or Avram as he was known at that time) left it all behind and at the word of God made the big hike up to what was soon to be the Holy Land. The Parsha tells us the story of this first Oleh in great deal. He traverses the land from North to South, he suffers from times of hunger and flees to Egypt who weren’t particularly receptive (some things never change) He comes back and deals with local warring forces that kidnap his family members (see previous parenthesis).  Seemingly as much land as there is, there is still fighting between his shepherds and his nephew Lot’s sheperds over the grazing land they have chosen-read limited real Estate issues- and the discussion of pitching tents in various other places begins-(and you were wondering when that tent city thing really started J) . Problems having kids, problems with his wife, and then his other wife… Yet through it all there is one constant. Hashem continuously promises him this is the land I have promised to you and your children. More than anything else Hashem has in his repository goodies and rewards for those that follow him dutifully Eretz Yisrael is the grand prize. The gift that makes it all worth it.

So what is it that is so special about this land? One would think that if Avraham had to undergo all of these trials and tribulations that the Torah would at least once tell us what Hashem had told Avraham was so important about the land that he was inheriting. Yet unlike later when the Jewish people had to be told about the wondrous crops, the milk and honey and bountiful rivers and the Divine protection that Israel will always possess, to be convinced to make Aliyah, to Avraham Hashem just repeats multiple times in this Parsha “this is the land that will be for you and your descendants… from there I will make you great… from there nations will be blessed through you and from there I will be your God.”  No economic benefit, no lush mountains and gorgeous scenery, no easy peaceful life and no Disney. The only thing special about Israel that Avraham needed to be told was that it was the land Hashem had chosen for him and it was the perfect and only place where he and his descendants were going to fulfill their national mandate of bringing blessing and God to the world. It was the only thing required in Hashem’s tourist brochure to Avraham, and the rest is our history.

It saddens me when I see so many Christian tourists in Israel from literally all over the world. In fact last week National Geographic of Russia voted Israel as the number two tourist location in the world (after Italy, ahead of Paris, Switzerland and yes even the great U.S. of A.). Not that I don’t appreciate their tremendous boost to our economy (especially the tour guiding one which I have entered J). Rather it is because when you ask them why they come to Israel, the answer is always the same. “It is God’s country, it’s the place of the Bible, it is the most important place on Earth”. How sad is it that they get it…but so many of us, the people who it was promised to don’t?  Why should it take free trips, pictures of beaches in Eilat, cafes in Tel Aviv, art, culture middle eastern shuk experiences and even Jewish history to get the descendants of Abraham to even consider popping in to say hi, or dare I even say to take the leap of even considering moving to the place Hashem designed just for us…and for Him. It’s sad that we have forgotten what is really special about Eretz Yisrael because what it really means is that we have forgotten what is so special about us. Avraham knew his life was a mission from Hashem and he therefore wanted to live in the best place to fulfill that mission; to serve God in the ultimate way and to inspire the world with the beauty of our Creator. Today even many of us who are privileged to live in Israel sometimes forget what it is we are here for and the specialness and the responsibility that comes with that turf.

May we soon merit that Moshiach rather than Mouse-shiach soon bring us all back to that ultimate home with so that we can finally see the fulfillment of that ancient eternal promise when we can merit to bring out the greatness within each of us in the perfect home of Hashem.

Have an amazing Shabbos!

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RABBI SCHWARTZ COOL PLACES IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK-

Beit Shearim – A truly amazing and important site to see in Israel unlike anything you have ever seen before. The city named after the plentiful crops or blessing it possessed (similar to the name Meah Shearim meaning 100 times- not gates as is often mistranslated) was the home of the Sanhedrin after the destruction of the Temple for many years. What made it most important though was it’s Jewish celebrity Rav Yehudah Ha’Nasi the prince of Israel who for the first time in jewish history wrote the Oral Sinaitc tradition and commandments down in the form the mishna.

When he died in the nearby city of Tzipori he was brought here for burial which led to the start of Beit Shearim’s industry of the chief international burial place for the Jewish nation from around the world. Being that Jeruslem was out of Jewish control for hundreds of years Jews who wished to be buried in Israel came (or more accurately were brought to Beit Shearim. Today we have uncovered 100’s of Burial caves with incredible mauseluoms and wildly extravagant Sacrophags-stone coffins in the caves of Beit Shearim. All of course except one- reb Yehudah HaNasi has a simple grave with the names of his children engraved on the wall nearby. After all he is the sage who was quoted as saying” Righteous people do not require fancy gravestones- for their words are their remembrance. Also in Beit Shearim one can visit the site of the Sanhedrin. A truly fascinating visit to an important part of our Jewish story.

Just Like Abba - Noach 5772

Insights and Inspiration
from the
Holy Land
from
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz
"Your friend in Karmiel"

October 28^th 2011 -Volume 2, Issue 1–30^th of Tishrei 5772

Parshat Noach

 

Just like Abba

I sat there watching him, welcoming the distraction from my studying for my test on Roman Archeology (did you know that that the lower half of the roof of a Roman temple was called a frieze  and was decorated with eggs and spears…do you care?). He sat there,  my little almost two year old – Tully, and was playing quietly with his toy kitchen. He put out a toy loaf of bread. He then had a plate he put out and his little play goblet. It looked like he was setting a dinner table. But then he went upstairs and came down with his blanket. Hmmmm… He then so gently placed the blanket over the bread picked up the goblet and started babbling. Yes, he was making Kiddush. Just like Abba. If I had any doubts he took off the “challah cover” blanket (which sometimes doubles as his tallit) and pulled out his play knife from under his plate and proceeded to try to cut the “challah”, just like Abba. Babbling once again. He was obviously trying to make the hamotzi blessing, just like Abba, It was a special moment for me as my heart swelled with pride at my obviously brilliant son who I was raising and inspiring so perfectly. And then he looked at me and smiled… and threw the cup at my head and overturned the entire table.. It’s terrible the types of behavior they pick up in Gan isn’t it? He certainly didn’t learn that from Abba. I hope.

Its funny how those things work, isn’t it? All the great things about our children are obviously from our side of the family, or our great parenting skills. The not so great stuff? Their friends, the school, the neighbors they’re hanging around with. Yet we know that much more than we can ever imagine kids are sponges. And more than anything else, what they see in the home ultimately will form their perspectives, reactions, attitudes and even relationships as they grow into adults. Just like Abba.  The good, the bad and the ugly. This is one of the first lessons in the Torah and it goes back to the beginning of the world.

Last week we began the Torah once again as we read about the Creation and start of Mankind with the Story of Adam, the first man created. The Torah tells us that Adam was made in his perfect state in the image of God- just like Abba. However that perfect world was very quickly shattered with the first sin of eating from the forbidden fruit. Perhaps even just as bad and maybe even worse was when confronted with his sin Adam “passes the buck” and begins what from that point on becomes the age-old excuse- it wasn’t me it was my______ fill in the blank. Hashem then punishes Adam and curses the earth from which he came. The same earth which he was meant to elevate and bring closer to God, to create a home and a world that would mirror his Abba’s home up in heaven., was now tainted  and defiled and would serve to remind him of the imperfect world he had left in its place. 

The Torah than continues and tells us the next tragic story of Adam’s son Kayin- so named as Eve says- “for I have acquired (Kanisi) a man with God”; once again a man in the image of His Creator, another chance at rebuilding the world. Yet Kayin as well chooses  to “work (or serve)” the cursed earth; leading to his sin of  bringing  a sacrifice that  was not up to standard, which leads to jealousy over his brothers sacrifice and ultimately to the first murder of the world. And once again when Kayin is confronted with his sin he attempts to abdicate his responsibility with the old “Am I my brothers keeper” excuse. Sadly he misses the opportunity to come forward with his sin. Just like his father. And once again the once perfect earth become even more, cursed crying out with the blood of Abel to be restored.

And the story continues and the cycle worsens, until eventually Hashem has to wipe the slate clean and start with a new world; The world of Noach. This weeks Parsha contains the excitement once again of a new fresh world. Noach gets blessed to be fruitful and multiply just like his ancestor Adam. Even more fascinating is that he engages in the same first act of Hashem after creating the world. As the Torah tells us last week, Hashem  plants a garden (of Eden), and this week Noach in his first act 

Vachel Noach  Ish Ha’adama Vatitah Kerem- And Noach the man of the earth begins  and he plants a vineyard.

Just like Abba. Yet which Abba? Although one might say he was imitating Hashem The Talmud sees in his new title Ish Ha’adama- The man of the earth a rebuke.

“Why did you not learn from your father Adam and his sin and its consequence? When he drank wine he brought tragedy to the world (according to the opinion that the tree that Adam ate from was a grape vine)”.

 He planted perhaps like his Father in heaven, yet when he sat down to his first Shabbat meal and set the table and made Kiddush on his wine just like Abba, he imbibed too much, and like Tully’s once perfect Shabbat  table, in his drunken stupor he ruined it, and with it the world; by becoming a man defined by the earth, rather then the one who was meant to elevate it. Sadly, Noach too, after awakening, takes his wrath and disappointment out on Ham his own son and his descendants, who defiled Noach in his sleep, by becoming the first and only person in the Torah to curse in such a harsh tone (interestingly enough utilizing the same term of Arur-cursed just as Hashem did after the sin of Adam.). Rather than the self reflection on how far he had fallen, the once Ish Tzadik-righteous man was now as his ancestors an Ish Adama.

This Shabbat we welcome in the new month of Cheshvon. It is the first month after the holiday season of the new year when we enter the long darker winter months. After having spent the last month with our Father our King on Rosh Hashana, our Father  the merciful and forgiving judge on Yom Kippur and our Father who we put our faith in and who we rejoiced with on Sukkot and Simchat Torah, the challenge that remains for us is not to lose sight of our Abba. It can be so easy to very quickly become the Ish Adama who lets the world, our environment and our negative influences and surroundings define us once again. It is the battle that goes on since the beginning of time. Yet if we hold with us the memories of these special days and we recall the consequences of losing our special connection, than as the moon starts fresh and shines each month on a new world and a new chance of redemption, so too may we merit to bring and elevate the world to the state of perfection that Abba deserves.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

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RABBI SCHWARTZ COOL PLACES IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK

Gan Guru- - Located in the Beit Shean valley not far from the Kinneret lays an Australian wonderland called Gan Guru. An absolutely fantastic park. Where Kangaroos frolic and you can feed and play with  them. The Birdd house has all types of exoctic birds who would  love to eat some apples provided for you to feed them by the keepers. And you can certainly feel free to enjoy the  petting zoo and the Koala bears as well. If you ever wanted your children to feel like Noach who fed the animals in the Ark during the flood this is certainly the place where they can come to and  bring out their inner Ark…

Up Close and Personal- Netzavim Vayeilech 2011

Insights and Inspiration
from the
Holy Land
from
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz
"Your friend in Karmiel"

September 23rd 2011 -Volume I, Issue 42–24^th of Elul 577

Nitzavim/VaYeilech

Up Close and Personal

I almost missed it. The road between Tzefat and Meron is quite curvy and as I was coming across the bend by the Birya forest, out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw something that looked strange. I stepped on my brakes hurriedly, very carefully made a U-Turn and sure enough my eyes did not deceive me. There they were. What they were doing there… I wasn’t sure. But this is the mystical mountains of Israel and I knew that there most certainly was going to be a good story or at least a worthwhile E-Mail that as your “man on the ground” I was obligated to investigate.

So I got out of my car and slowly and quietly made my way over to this strange sight on the side of the road. They were a very mixed crowd of about 20 women. There were older and younger women. Some were obviously very religious with head coverings and wigs. Others were younger with rings and piercings dressed more “street –like”. Some seemed were more put together women and some who seemed like they could use a hand-out. Yet the diversity of the women was not what caught my eye, rather it what each of them was doing that seemed very bizarre. For each one of them was standing next to their own tree, with their eyes closed in some type of meditation and hugging the tree for dear life. Now I come from Seattle and New York and have certainly seen quite a few strange people and things in my life. But the range and the diversity of these women coupled with what seemed like either some biblical styled tree worship or some type of science fiction mind morphing alien abduction definitely took the cake.

I approached one of them and asked what was going on and was shhhh’ed away back to my corner. All of a sudden a woman who seemed to be leading this group shouted out some type of command that unfortunately I did not understand and could not make out. But within a second I was shaken to my core when each woman let out a deep guttural scream, almost tarzan-like on the tops of their lungs for a full 30 second or so.

AAAAAAiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!!!!! OYYYYYYYYYYYY!

It was suddenly very quiet again. Each woman went back to her silent intense tree-hugging meditation and then once again three minutes later with even more intensity.

AAAAAAAiiiiii!!!!!! OYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!

This continued one more time and then they all smiled at each other hugged and embraced and made their way back to their bus that was parked there.

I couldn’t restrain myself anymore. I walked over to the “leader” and asked her what this was all about.  Was this some environmentalist thing, some far out eastern religion, or maybe some type of candid camera thing that my reaction was being filmed for? She smiled at me and explained.

“Actually”- she said “this is a very Jewish thing. You see these women have all suffered some type of tragedy. Some have lost their children, others are from abusive relationships and others have sunk to the bottom and are in so much pain they could barely pick themselves up. We are a support group for these women and we have found that one of the most effective means of helping them is by utilizing the great wisdom and insight of Rebbe Nachman of Breslav”.

Rebbe Nachman advises that when one is so overcome and overwhelmed and feels that he or she has nowhere to turn; they should go out to the forest, a place of quiet, solitude…of holiness. There in the forest one should feel the life force that flows from the heavens, the earth and the trees. One should contemplate how each leaf and each branch rises up and is cared for and loved by the Master of this Divine universe. And then one should pour out all of their pain and woe to our Father who has never left our side and who sits and joins us in our sorrow or loss and our hurt. That knowledge and personal connection is the essence of their relief. Hashem is not just a concept and ideology or a global manipulator. He is a personal God who is there to hold our hand and bring us up and closer to His presence.

The great 18^th century Chasidic Rebbe, Reb Yackov Yitzchak of Peshischa, known as the Yid Ha’Kadosh in this week’s Torah portion shares with us this very powerful idea. We learn hownn Moshe in his final speech to the Jewish people warns them to heed our special covenant that is being made with each individual.

“ Your leaders, tribes, elders, officers, each man, infant, woman,  convert in your camp from the wood chopper to the water carrier… those who are standing here today and those that are not here with us today…”

Perhaps there is amongst you a man, woman, tribe, family or tribe whose heart is turned away from Hashem our God… “Pen Yeish Bachem- perhaps there is within you a root that bears poison and bitterness…”

The Yid Hakodosh reads the verse, that the root that bears the poison and the bitterness is actually the “perhaps” itself. Pen -Yaish Bachem- There is doubt within you. That is what the source of your pain is. That is the root which will fester and grow and it, and it is from there that all sadness, sorrow and sin result.

I walked away from the bus somberly. It was not them who were taken over by aliens rather it was me. Alien thoughts, foreign reliance’s, a forgetfulness of the essence of who I truly am and the world I truly exist in, but fail to see and appreciate. But most of all the powerful love and caring that my Father has for me.

This week each of us will stand by ourselves before Hashem. “Like a sheep passing underneath the rod- Hashem counts and brings us close to Him as he decrees the upcoming year’s outcome for us. Our prayers for the New Year should not only be for ourselves, but for all of Klal Yisrael, for Eretz Yisrael, for Jews that are in pain and for all those that need relief, comfort, redemption and salvation. But our prayers should not be like those of the past. They should not just be read as an organized book of prayers and rituals. Rather they should be conversations of the most personal and deepest nature to our Father who is yearning for us to be close to Him. Who stands with His pen poised to give us all that we need and could possibly hope for if we only were able to really deeply tell Him how badly we want it, how much we need it. How real He is us to us and how much we need this year to be better and different.

Closer…Home…Peace…Return…

May Hashem bless each and every one of us with Ketiva VeChatima Tova- a blessed sweet year.

Have a spectacular last Shabbat of the year,

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

RABBI SCHWARTZ COOL PLACES IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK-

Machon Ayalon-the Bullet Factory Museum- There are many cool places in Israel each has their own story but the Underground clandestine bullet factory from the years 1945-1948 in Rehovot is certainly one of the top coolest places in Israel. The factory which was built 25 feet below the ground of a Kibbutz that was used for agricultural training for new olim that moved to Israel was right under the nose of the British. Millions of bullets for the precious Sten guns of the Hagana and pre-State of Israel defense forces were made for 3 years providing them with all the ammunition they needed to protect and establish the Jewish State. One can visit the center with a guided tour and see the bakery and Kibbutz laundraomat with the spy movie- like retractable oven and washing machines that led to the underground factory which no one on the top – and even in the leadership of the Jewish people knew about or its location. One can watch a great film there of their story and hear interviews from these great heroes-many of them still alive today. A fun and fascinating trip for the whole family that shares an important and unique story of the establishment and fight for our Country.

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Joy to the World- Ki Tavo 2011

Insights and Inspiration
from the
Holy Land
from
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz
"Your friend in Karmiel"

September 16th 2011 -Volume I, Issue 41–17^th of Elul 5771

Ki Tavo  

Joy to the World

So there you are sitting in traffic on a hot sweaty Israeli summer day. You’re late for your meeting. You’re low on gas. There is absolutely nothing interesting on the radio and your kids scratched up all your CDs. It does not feel like it’s going to be a good day.

But then out of the blue you hear some very loud music coming from two cars in front of you. It’s joyous Bresslov Chasidic songs- something about their Rebbe, Rebbe Na… Nach… Nachma… Nachman Me’uman. All of a sudden, 6 chasidim jump out of the back seat and perform, what we used to call as kids, a “Chinese fire drill” (how they all fit in there in the first place is another question). Well at least half of one. See as kids what we used to do was when we would get to a red light, we would get out of our car  and run around the car and get back in the same seats much to the bewilderment of the other drivers on the road (this is what we used to call fun) . They, on the other hand, got out and started dancing like wild people, around and around and around, even enlarging the circle to incorporate other cars. A smile began to curl up on my face as I watched them in their rapture. My fingers started to drum along on the dashboard to the catchy rhythm of the rocking rabbis. Suddenly the day didn’t seem so bad anymore. It wasn’t so hot. I felt kind of happy and amused. Just another one of those “only in Israel” experiences that make all the other headaches feel like it’s worth it.

For those who have never witnessed the dancing hasidim of Israel, you have obviously not driven around too much in this country. They can be found anywhere at any time. They are the roving Simcha patrol. Their rebbe, Rebbe Nachman who passed away in the early 1800’s and is buried in Uman,  where 10’s of thousands congregate each year for the high holidays in his small little backwater Ukrainian village, had a guiding principle that the greatest of Mitzvot was to be happy. Some of his teachings included

“If you don’t feel happy, pretend to be”.
“Even if you are downright depressed, put on a smile.”
“Act happy. Genuine joy will follow.”

Interestingly enough modern psychology gives much weight to these pearls of wisdom. But what is more important is that for his Chasidim this is their way of fixing the world. The more joy there is, the more that we can dance away our troubles and sorrow and put our faith in Hashem, the happier our Father in heaven is. And thus for them the solution to most of the world’s problems can be found in a good song, a lively dance and a warm generous welcoming smile.

The Torah portion this week alludes to the counterpart of this great mitzvah of Rebbe Nachman. As we approach Rosh Hashana and get closer to the end of the book of Devarim of Moshe’s final speech to the Jewish people we read parshat Ki Tavo and within it of the blessings and curses that the Jewish people will receive according to their observance or lack of observance of the Mitzvoth of Hashem. The Torah portion than continues and gives us a frightful picture of the horrifying punishments that unfortunately has befallen us throughout our history, when we have not been living up to our mandate.

Yet in middle of this chilling exhortation the Torah gives us what seems at first glance to be a minor ralmos innocuous reason for all of these punishments.

“Tachat Asher Lo Avadata Es Hashem Elokecha Bi’Simchah V’Tuv Levav Meirov Kol-Because you have not served Hashem your God with joy and goodness of heart when you had an abundance of all things”.

One would think that as the Torah had previously told us that these punishments will befall us for not following the commandments, that the fact that we lacked joy in the act of serving Hashem would not even be counted as significant. Yet, what the commentaries all suggest is that the lack of joy in our service of Hashem and in our yiddeshkeit is the underlying cause of all the other sins that follow. The commandments and the “Jewish Torah Lifestyle” were not given for us to be miserable, obedient followers for our own good that we will not understand and appreciate until we “get older”. As my children sometimes complain I tell them about their school or home chores. Rather they are ways of pleasantness that are meant to enhance our life and bring us that ultimate, perfect sense of inner joy and completion as we fulfill them day by day, hour by hour and act by act. And if we aren’t feeling it then we’re missing it and we must not be doing it correctly. But if we would be feeling that sense of joy every time we did a mitzvah, celebrated a Shabbat, learned a little Torah (even via email J) than we would never come to the sin that only happens from a lack of satisfaction of the abundance of good that the Torah is to us.

We read this Parsha before Rosh Hashana each year, which seemingly is one of the most solemn days of the year. We are judged on this day for the coming year and we are meant to be doing Teshuva and intense introspection during this time of the mistakes we have made and the different ways we have fallen short and disappointed ourselves and Hashem this past year. Yet it is inspiring to read of a different Rosh Hashana in our history. The prophets in the book of Nechemia tell us the story of when the Jewish people came back to Israel after our exile in Babylonia and rebuilt our Temple. The Navi (chapter 8) tells us how on that first Rosh Hashana back, Ezra and Nechemia called all the Jews together and read from the Torah along with its admonitions. The Jews upon hearing this written word after so many years, broke out in tears when they realized how far they had fallen during their 70 year exile. Nechemia then tells the Jewish people an astonishing statement

This day is holy for Hashem your God; do not mourn or weep…. 'Go and eat fatty foods, and drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who do not have any prepared; for this day is holy to our Master; don’t be saddened; for the joy of Hashem is your strength.'

Here we have the perfect sermon, the people are inspired, they feel the spirit of teshuvah, one would think this is the time to tell them to pray or to cry out. Yet the prophet Nechemia sees something more important to do. Rejoice! It’s Yom Tov. Holiness is meant to lead to Happimess. It is time for a Breslover dance. Rosh Hashana should not be a time that is scary and depressing, rather it is a time to find the joy we have been missing in our distance from our King.

The great Rebbe of Ger, the Sefat Emes tells us that the reason that the Torah tells us that that reason for our exile and accompanying bitterness is the lack of happiness, is to teach us the way to come back home is by repairing that sin. By rejoicing in our service of Hashem and by feeling that inner peace when we celebrate our opportunities to get close to Him. It is not always easy to feel this happiness, for some it is a lifetime’s work. For others there are only certain moments when they are challenged to smile and appreciate the goodness we have in our blessed lives. But Rav Nachman’s secret is that we do not have to feel the happiness to act happy. We can always dance. We can always sing. And yes we can always smile. If we do so even at the moments when it is most difficult and if we take those times of difficulty and redeem them with joy than we will become happy. We will feel that natural bubble inside of us begin to glow with joy. And if there is one thing our Father loves-any father loves- more than anything else it’s when His children are happy and appreciate how good it is to be blessed to be part of His family. And if our Father is happy everyone is happy.

Have an exuberantly joyful Shabbat,

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

RABBI SCHWARTZES COOL BRESOLOVER VIDEO OF THE WEEK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_9cSxK8FOw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxkOET7wgnA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2lXBMIfYoM&feature=related

RABBI SCHWARTZ COOL PLACES IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK-

Abu Ghosh/ Kiryat Yearim/ Telshe Stone-  Although I listed three places above they are all right next to each other and Biblically we are not sure of the exact location of the real Kiryat Yearim is. The biblical significance of this city as it is mentioned in the Tanach is that it is the location of the final resting place of the holy Ark of the covenant/Aron Ha’Bris that was captured by the philistines and wreaked havoc on their cities until they returned it to the Jews via leaving it on a wagon. The ark rested here for 20 years before it was finally moved to Jerusalem by King David. The city of Abu Ghosh is the arab village where many say was the place where this took place and there is even a church dedicated to its location there. In more recent history during the War of independence the village of Abu Ghosh was the only arab village that was allowed to remain on the dangerous road up to Jerusalem as they very early in the war decided to join the Jewish forces and side actually giving them keys to the British fortress there and standing against all of the other arab forces – for which they are forever ostracized. They’re also famous for their unique and special flavor chummus.

 The city of Telshe Stone right next door was founded by Rabbi Leizer Sorotzkin with the generosity of Irving Stone as a community of which the center would be the great Yeshiva Telshe that would be replanted here in Israel after the holocaust from its former glory in Europe. In more recent history Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz and his family are here in Telshe-Stone for Shabbos by the my Father-in-Law the son of Rabbi Leizer Sorotzkin! J

Cigar Wars- Ki Teitzei 2011

Insights and Inspiration
from the
Holy Land
from
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz
"Your friend in Karmiel"

September 9th 2011 -Volume I, Issue 40–10^th of Elul 5771

Parshat Ki Teitzei

 

Cigar Wars

Yankel was a good Chasid. He loved his Rebbe the Imrei Emes of Ger, with all of his heart. When he was younger he studied the pearls of Torah his rebbe taught him so lovingly. As he grew older the Rebbe married him off and was the Sandak (godfather) for all his children’s circumcision. Each year along with 10’s of thousands of Chasidim from around Europe, Yankel would go to his Rebbe’s court for Rosh Hashana. It was said that on the special train lines that the Polish government added for the high holidays, there were over ten thousand chasidim that came who ate on Yom Kippur and didn’t wear Tefillin…all boys under the age of Bar Mitzvah. Yet even with the thousands that came Yankel looked forward to his precious few private minutes with the Rebbe. He would get the Rebbe’s blessing for his family, his health and business. Yet, most important to Yankel was the blessing he would recieve for his continued spiritual growth.  He was enough of a Gerrer Chasid to know, that more than anything else, his relationship with Hashem and the inspiration to lead a vibrant Jewish life was the greatest gift one can have.

This Rosh Hashana though, the Rebbe surprised Yankel as he began to ask him about his business. Yankel shared with the Rebbe that his business was expanding and in fact in a few weeks he would be traveling for a few days to Paris to purchase more materials and to create new networks of supply. The Rebbe then made a request of Yankel.

“I heard that they sell very good cigars in Paris, would you be able to pick me up a box?”

Yankel was a bit taken aback. Was the Rebbe really thinking about cigars on the holiest of days?

Yet, he knew better then to question the Rebbe. He quickly assured the Rebbe that he would bring him two boxes of the very best he could find and would return within a month with the Rebbe’s cigars.

Sure enough two weeks later Yankel returned from his trip with the two boxes of cigars. The Rebbe after examining them closely though asked him if they were indeed purchased in Paris. Yankel blushed a little and apologized to the Rebbe. He explained that while he was in Paris he was so caught up in business that it totally slipped his mind. On the way home however, when he remembered, he made a stop in Belgium and bought the cigars over there.

“But don’t worry Rebbe” Yankel said “the cigars in Belgium are much better and I made sure to purchase the best of the best for the Rebbe’s pleasure”.

“Oy Yankeleh… Yankeleh”, the Rebbe sighed,

“Did you really think that I needed or had any interest in Cigars from either Paris or Belgium? It wasn’t the cigars I wanted it was the chasid that I wanted. I wanted you to remember that even though you may be in Paris you still have a Rebbe back in Ger that is waiting for you. A chasid in Paris is what I was hoping you would be and feel like. Not a business man without a Rebbe.”

This week’s Torah portion conatins a unique mitzvah of war.

Ki Teitzei LiMmachaneh Al Oivecha V’Nishmartem mikol Davar Rah-When you go to camp against your enemy you should guard yourself from all bad things.

The bad things that the Torah is referring to here are in areas of licentiousness, impure thoughts and all matters that will distance oneself from God.

The Slonimer Rebbe notes how it is interesting that this mitzvah as opposed to the two other commandments of war preciously mentioned does not refer to it as a war rather as when one camps against the enemy. In addition both the commandment and the enemy are referred to in the singular form rather than the plural. He therefore suggests a deeper more meaningful understanding of the Parsha. What the Torah is hinting to us a here is not merely the global biblical warfare battles and its commandments, rather it is teaching us about our personal internal battles that we each are challenged by. And the enemy- the greatest enemy we have- is our Yetzer Harah the evil inclination that is there relentlessly to tempt us.

The previous Parshiyot describe and allude to how one must go out and engage that force whether it is in areas of observance, where we must know the places to avoid and the things that bring us down and actively battle those temptations. Or as the latter Parsha suggests there are even battles in matters of a permissible nature such as excesses where one must reign oneself (like the case of the captive women) or in our worship of God where we must offensively strategize how to win those battles. How we can put more energy into our prayers, our studies, our faith and our acts of kindness and even limit our exposure to the baser although permitted physical pleasures that come our way. In “times of war” changes have to be made

 Yet there are times when there is no ‘war” and this is what this final mitzvah is talking about. It is when one goes out in to the world to do his or her regular things. Shopping, Business, Teaching, Learning, Touring. It is here the Torah tells you that we are also vulnerable. Ki teitzei Machaneh- when we go out from our “camp”.  It could be vacation; it could be your workplace. Maybe Paris. You’re not in Shul you’re just doing your every day thing. Vnishmartem Mikol Davar Rah- watch out. Protect yourself. Why?

Ki Hashem Elokecha Mit’Halech B’Kerev Machanecha - Because Hashem is always found within your camp. L’Hatzilcha- to save you and to place your enemy before you. When you leave home base,  to a place that may seem so innocent and so necessary, however if it is not part of your camp; if you feel that you are chutz la’Macheneh- outside of the camp than the extra protection we so need to inspire us to sanctify Hashems name is much harder to achieve. For His presence is found amongst the camp. And to paraphrase a US president who just a little over ten years ago said-You are either with us or against us- you’re either part of His camp or you’re not.

We read these Torah portions as we get closer and closer to Rosh Hashana; the end of the year and the beginning of the year. There are so many battles, struggles and challenges each of us have gone through and may still yet face and yet the greatest battles are sages teach us are within ourselves. Yet perhaps the strongest weapon we have in our arsenal is knowing that we have a camp that we can always be attached to. We may not all have a Rebbe in Poland, as Yankel did, but we have a loving Father in heaven who is always amongst the Jewish people waiting and watching for us to reattach ourselves to our community. Imagine the nachas and pleasure He has as His children all gather in synagogues around the world as they join together and crown Him annually as our King. But once or twice a year is not enough. Neither is once a week, neither is even each day. We have to feel that we are part of His camp wherever we go and whatever we do. He’s not looking for cigars either or even for Chasidim. He’s looking for his children and for His soldiers to be standing tall at His side.

Have a grand Shabbat,

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

RABBI SCHWARTZ COOL PLACES IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK-

Tzuk Minara- Located just south of Kiryat Shemona in the “finger of the Galile” the cliffs of Minara provide and unbelievable view of the Hula valley which was once a swamp now turned into beautiful fertile agricultural center as well as the Golan heights and the Hermon mountain range. The fun part is of course getting up the cliff which today has the longest cable car in the entire Israel at about 6300 feet and more then a half mile high. From the peak one can see the burnt areas of the forest on the mountain sides that were burnt during the last Lebanon war and the incredible green of the new trees that have been planted to replenish those lost areas. There are also many fun activities for children at the top peak as well as Israel’s highest alpine slide and bungee jumping as well. One can also visit the kibbutz that was formed there in 1943 as it still stands today and take  a train ride around the peaks. For the adventurous the tzuk (cliff) is  a great place to go rappelling and zip lining as well. Just don’t tell your mother until afterwards…

Holyland-Oleh Land Shoftim 2011

Insights and Inspiration
from the
Holy Land
from
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz
"Your friend in Karmiel"

September 2^nd 2011 -Volume I, Issue 39–3^rd  of Elul 5771

Parshat Shoftim

 

Holyland-Oleh Land

It is perhaps one of the most simple gravestones I have ever seen. One would think that for a man who almost indisputably had the greatest hand in establishing the modern State of Israel, we would find a monument or plaque filled on both sides commemorating his life and his accomplishments. Yet for Israel’s first and longest reigning Prime minister, the man who headed the Hagana and united all the diverse military factions, the visionary who oversaw operation Magic Carpet bringing thousands of Jews from Arab countries home to Israel, who in his early life was the head of World Zionist organization and the Jewish Agency, and who personally oversaw the flourishing of the Negev and the establishment of Israel’s national water carrier , the three line epithet on his modest grave was all that he wished it to state.

David Ben Gurion

(1886-1973)

*Alah Artzah 1906

*moved up to Israel

All he had done, all that he had accomplished in his simple eyes it all paled compared to his most significant accomplishment. He was a Jew that moved to Israel. It was how he wished to be remembered. It was what gave him all the inspiration he needed to build our national homeland.

This week my family and I celebrate our first “Aliyah”-versary. We came as a family of seven with children and we moved to the North. It’s a time in life when many advised it would be difficult. Your children are the wrong age. Finding the right schools would be difficult. The North is a hard place to live. It’s far away from everyone (we moved from Seattle Washington so that really wasn’t too much of a concern). Making a living is hard, the culture is different, the bureaucracy is crazy, housing is unaffordable, the reasons and arguments not to come were strong. Yet compared to what those early settlers had to go through, today’s Israel is a veritable Garden of Eden. They, as their ancestors before them for hundreds of year, came to Israel by foot, camel and dangerous seas to a country that was full of swamps, disease, poverty and daily dangers from the hostile neighbors that have always sought to destroy us. They came, as did we, because we felt that this was our home. This is where we would be connected in the deepest way to our history and our destiny. They came because just as much as Israel needs us we felt we needed it.

The past few weeks Parshiyot describe the significance of the land of Israel. Last week Parshat Re’eh describes the promise and the beauty of the land and our religious mandate to rid it of all forms of Tuma’ah and idolatary. Eretz Yisrael is meant to be more than a national homeland it is the Holy Land (thus the title of this weekly E-Mail J), a land where God’s presence can comfortably dwell. Next week’s Parsha will discuss the various mitzvot of the land Israel. According to the Ramban-Nachmanides all mitzvot were only given to be preformed ultimately in the land of Israel. It is only here that they can be experienced in their fullest spiritual expression. And then we have this week’s Torah portion the center of this triumvirate; Parshat Shoftim which delineates the establishment of a Jewish society in Israel, the creation of a Torah justice system, its officers, its religious army, and its righteous kings.

This is perhaps the most challenging of all the commandments. In our tragic 3000 year history of being a nation there has been not more than a few hundred years when we have succeeded in creating this holy society. We have conquered land, we have expanded our borders, and we have even rid the country at times of idolatry. We have also been observant of our commandments. There have always been an enduring portion of the Jewish people who have observed Shabbat, the holidays the prayers and rituals that make up Jewish life even in the harshest of conditions. Yet our greatest failure has been to create this society of a nation of God in our Promised Land. The world needs a place which would serve as a role model of what it should look like if only His presence would be reflected in the nation of Israel.

As someone who now lives in Eretz Yisrael this is failure is constantly on my mind. What can and should I do to bring that Divine presence back? The early Zionists, like Ben Gurion planned plotted and strategized in order to build a modern state, to achieve UN and world recognition and to create a country that would be a light to the world not only in terms of the advancement of technology, wisdom and development but also as a secular humanistic ethical society built on principles of kindness, justice and democratic principles. And to a large degree they were and are phenomenally successful in achieving their goals. Israel does stand out as that nation that shines not only in the primitive Middle East but in the entire world as a leader in all of those areas. But it is still not a Nation of God. And that’s not their fault- that wasn’t their training or upbringing. It’s ours…It’s mine and yours who know better and who can do better.

We have entered the month of Elul. In a few weeks we will be standing before God and reflecting on our lives. Interestingly enough Rosh Hashanah is not a time when we pray to a large degree for any of our personal requests for the upcoming year. Although our sages tell us it is the day when we will be judged. Instead the repeated theme of Rosh Hashana is for the return of Kingship of God to the Holy Land. To have his presence once again rule the world as it was meant to be. We daven on the most important day of the year not for long life, health, Shalom Bayit, marriage, our children, or even for a better livelihood. We pray for the big picture. For the day to come when we may live a life that is a fulfillment of our chosen mandate.

If this is the focus of what will be our prayers on Rosh Hashana, then these days of Elul are meant to be the preparation for those prayers. We are in a time when we each have to start asking ourselves what we could be doing more to bring about that ultimate day, not only for ourselves and our families but for the entire nation. Just as Ben Gurion the hero of the modern state of Israel gave his entire life so that his Aliyah La’Aretz would be one that left this country in a better place than it was before; a step closer to the ultimate Redemption hopefully. So to must we plan and actualize our dreams and the hopes and prayers of all the generations before us and the will of our Father in Heaven to once again restoring the Malchut Shadai- the kingdom of heaven to his holy city. May that day come soon Be’Ezrat Hashem

Have a truly amazing Shabbat

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

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RABBI SCHWARTZ COOL PLACES IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK-

Kibbutz Sdei Boker- Established in 1952 in the negev the Kibbutz is best known as the retirement place and “dream home” of David ben Gurion and his wife Paula. It is said that he came here early in his career and was taken by the kibbutzniks literally living the dream of bringing life to the desert in fulfillment of all of the prophecys of our ancestors. Today one can tour the Kibbutz and tzrif Ben Gurion where he lived worked, and mostly wrote letters to young children from around the world who asked him the simple questions of what life in Israel was all about.

In one of the letters he is quoted as saying

The desert provides us with the best opportunity to begin again. This is a vital element of our renaissance in Israel. For it is in mastering nature that man learns to control himself. It is in this sense, more practical than mystic, that I define our Redemption on this land. Israel must continue to cultivate its nationality and to represent the Jewish people without renouncing its glorious past. It must earn this – which is no small task – a right that can only be acquired in the desert.

When I looked out my window today and saw a tree standing before me, the sight awoke in me a greater sense of beauty and personal satisfaction than all the forests that I have crossed in Switzerland and Scandinavia. For we planted each tree in this place and watered them with the water we provided at the cost of numerous efforts. Why does a mother love her children so? Because they are her creation. Why does the Jew feel an affinity with Israel? Because everything here must still be accomplished. It depends only on him to participate in this privileged act of creation. The trees at Sde Boker speak to me differently than do the trees planted elsewhere. Not only because I participated in their planting and in their maintenance, but also because they are a gift of man to nature and a gift of the Jews to the compost of their culture.

May we all soon merit to see the fulfillment of that dream….