Song of Life- Parshat Chayei Sarah 2022 5783

 

Insights and Inspiration

from the

Holy Land

from

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

"Your friend in Karmiel"

November 18^th 2022 -Volume 12 Issue 5 24^th of Cheshvan 5783

 

Parshat Chayei Sarah

Song of Life

 

It’s a uniter song. You know, one of those songs that just gets everyone together humming, singing, dancing and many times even holding arms together and swinging back and forth. We have a bunch of those. There’s of course Hinei Ma Tov u’ma Naim in which the words themselves of brothers sitting together pleasantly just makes you want to wrap your arms around the person next to you and start swaying. There’s that Kol Ha’Olam Kulo Gesher Tzar Me’od when we all realize that we are all in the same boat walking down that narrow bridge, we all have trials, challenges and frightening things that stand before us. Yet at the same time, we have faith in Hashem and we have nothing really to fear. There’s Ani Ma’amin which fascinatingly enough even the most secular “non-believing” Jew gets teary eyed and can’t help himself but to long for that ultimate day when Mashiach will come. Not even a few decades of or even a generation or two of non-observance or even tragically ignorance of Judaism and the beauty of our heritage can still that always burning spark of the Neshoma and the tens of generations of faith that preceded this little gap in one’s awareness of the holiness of their Jewish soul that they don’t even know they possess. Two or three chords of the “Ahhhh Ni Ma’aameeeen… B’ehmuna Shlai’aimahhh” and boom! They’ve discovered their soul. By the time the song has gotten to the high part of Vi’af al pi… she’yismamehaya they are flying high. They are longing for their neshoma to be complete. They want Mashiach now…

 

Maybe that’s why I love music so much. The old classic songs at least. Because music speaks to our soul. It brings us together. All of the fights, the disagreements, the politics, the different Kipahs, dress, religious orientations, they all fall away when those uniter songs start to play. They trigger the soul in a way that makes us realize that we really all have one common hope and one shared destiny. We all come from that spark of Hashem and we all want to see that day when it will be revealed to the entire world and peace and love and brotherhood will reign. Before the song came I on, I may not have seen that guy sitting next to me as anyone that I have anything in common with or may even want to have anything to do with. Yet afterwards (or at least during the song) I realize that I can’t have a world without him.

 

One of those songs and perhaps the most famous and classic one is from the king of uniter song composers Shlomo Carlebach’s Am Yisrael Chai- Od Avinu Chai. Orthodox, Conservative, Right wing, Liberal, Reconstructionist, Chasidim. It doesn’t make a difference. When that song starts to play it just gets everyone to their feet. It has you cheering, waving your hands up and down and jumping up with each chorus. With each Am Yisrael. Higher and Higher. We are alive. Our Father is alive. It’s so popular, that it’s not yeshivish to sing it even. Yeshivish people can’t do what everyone else are doing. Yet, Im kol zeh… despite that… when the song comes on at some event or some ceremony or family simcha for their non-religious cousin (Yeah I know that yeshivish people pretend that they don’t have any of those…) They sing, they jump, and they are united by the one thing that they realize brings us all together. We’re alive and our Father in heaven is Alive.

 

You agree with me on this, I know. In fact, you’re humming the song now to yourself. Yet, if you think about it, it’s kind of strange. Who else in the world besides the Jewish people just sing about the fact that they’re alive? The words aren’t about love, about happy times, about faith, about victories and miracles, about even a better future or a nostalgic past. I’m alive. Zehu- that’s all. Goyim don’t sing songs like that. They don’t get excited about that. But Klal Yisrael- the eternal nation of Hashem? There’s nothing that gets us more inspired and enthused than those 6 words. Am Yisrael Chai, Od Avinu Chai. We exist. We’re eternal. We are children of an Eternal God and thus possess that same never-to-be extinguished life force that He implanted in us.

 

I saw an incredible insight this week from Harav Charlap in his sefer Mei Merom in which he finds in this week’s Torah portion of Chayei Sarah that this idea is more than just a song it is really the core and essence of our nation. Perhaps even ironically it first finds it’s place a parsha that talks about the death and burial of the first Jew or Jewess to be accurate, our matriarch Sarah in a parsha that is called Chayei Sarah- the life of Sarah.

 

He notes that it seems strange that Avraham waited until Sarah died until he bought a grave for her. I mean she was no spring chicken and the truth is Avraham being one of the wealthiest people of his time probably had plenty of land and place with which to bury her. Ok… So you’ll tell me that he wanted to bury her in the Cave of the Machpela. After-all that’s where it was revealed to him that Adam and Chava were buried. But that even strengthens the question. According to the Midrash Avraham found out about that cave years before hand when the angels came to tell Sarah about the impending birth of Yitzchak and he ran after a calf (or an angel that was disguised as a calf) into the cave and saw the burial place of Adam and Chava. So why didn’t he buy it back then? He was a good business man. He should’ve know that they would hit him up for more money and squeeze him when his deceased wife is lying before him. You always pay more at the last minute when you need something. It’s why you pay more at the only gas station on the empty long highway, why you pay more for your popcorn at the movie theater, or ice cream at the nature parks reserve or for your tour guide when you call him a few days before you come here 😊. Except for me, of course. I’m already booked… So Avraham was a smart man. Why didn’t he do some advance estate planning?

 

The answer he tells us is because Avraham thought that she would never die. That Sarah would be forever. That the curse of death that had been brought to the world since the sin of Adam and Chava who were buried there at the gateway to Gan Eden in Hevron, would finally be rectified. U’bala Ha’Maves La’netzach- that death would finally be swallowed up from the earth. How? Why? What do I mean? Put on your deep thinking caps now, we’re going to get heavy.

 

He explains as follows. Hashem created the world. He is eternal. Man, created in the image of Hashem with an eternal soul, as well possesses that eternality. Hashem wishes to reveal Himself to man, but the only way that can work is by tzimtzum- or minimalizing and hiding His vastness. Man can’t comprehend the infinite, above space, time and physicality. Yet Man possesses that same power and was created with the power to move beyond this world and bring that power of heaven down to earth. In fact we are charged to do that and deep inside our soul longs for that revalation we are meant to bring. In fact that is really the essence of Torah. See the written word that Hashem gave us is finite. It is limited. It is mi’tzumtzam. There’s no adding or subtracting. It’s perfect and it’s the DNA of the physical world. The oral law though is infinite. Every day it is expanded upon. Each Jew has another part that he is meant to reveal in it. It is our ultimate expression of the infinite and eternal nature of our soul revealing itself in this world. Are you with me so far?

 

Now Hashem had to make man finite and remember he’s not God, so what did Hashem do to differentiate him? And this is really cool- by the way… He made him go to sleep. Hashem doesn’t sleep. Eternal doesn’t stop for a second. It’s always. Man was going to be different and would sleep to remember that he was a creation and not a Creator. It’s what it means that the soul goes up to heaven each night when we sleep. It needs it’s daily reminder to remember that it’s different than Hashem. You know what the word for sleep is in Hebrew? Shaina- sleep also has the same root as the word Shina- or shoneh- different. That’s what sleep is all about. But it seems that wasn’t enough for us.

 

See, with the sin of the Tree of Knowledge when we were tempted by the snake to eat and “become like God” we lost that simple reminder. We needed something more impactful to remind us that we were not Gods, but rather mere possessors of divine souls that were given to us by Him to reveal Him in the world. So we became mortals. Death was introduced into the world. We were given an expiration date when our souls would depart from our bodies and we would no longer be alive. That’s not something we will ever forget and ignore. And that effected all of mankind…except, writes Rav Charlap the Jewish people on a national level. We are eternal.

 

According to the Kabbalists, when Adam and Chava sinned every part of their body and DNA was infected and needed to be rectified through this process. That process takes place on two levels. There is the national level and the individual level. Each nation that came out of them will be finite. Will  rise and fall and disappear. And each individual will as well live a life that comes to an end. It will only be in the end of days that there will be the resurrection of the dead- Techiyas Ha’Meisim. When we will return perfected and purified from that sin. That process and reality changed with Avraham and Sarah. They saw and understood that Hashem was in the world and they spent their lifetime revealing that. When they were promised a son, Yitzchak, Avraham was shown the burial place of Adam and Chava and according to the Zohar he told Adam that he would work to remove the curse and shame that Adam and Chava had that they had brought death to the world. It would be the time for the final tikkun.

 

Sarah worked her entire life to fix the sin of Chava. She found the spark in Hagar and hammered her to bring it out. She separated the kelipah of Yishmael sending him away and even getting him to repent in that process by recognizing that it is through Yitzchak that he and the world would reconnect with Hashem. (Fascinatingly enough- whereas Adam sins by listening to his wife- Avraham, who is skeptical of Sarah’s decision to send away Yishmael, is told by Hashem to listen to her. Sarah fixed Chava who Adam shouldn’t have listened to!). The pinnacle of Sarah’s life reaches it’s finality when she sees Yitzchak, that promised child, killed. The Satan shows her the scene of Avraham slaughtering him. Yet although we know that Avraham doesn’t kill Yitzchak, our sages tell us that Yitzchak’s soul left his body at that moment and he achieved Techiyas Ha’Meisim. He was reborn. Death was gone from the world. (It’s why the second bracha of Shemona Esrei Mechayeh Ha’Meisim corresponds to Yitzchak). When Sarah sees this her life’s work is complete. Chayei Sarah- the lifes of Sarah- the physical and spiritual had fulfilled their purpose. Whereas Chava- the mother of all life had brought death to the world Chayei Sarah had restored life to it. And thus she dies.

 

Yet Sarah had only restored the world to eternality on the national level. She was the mother of Yitzchak who would father a nation that would be eternal. That would never die or disappear. It’s why right after her death Avraham sends Eliezer to find a spouse for him. It was time for Klal Yisrael to come to the world and bring the entire world to Hashem. It’s why Yitzchak is never allowed to leave Eretz Yisrael. Because Eretz Yisrael, just as the Jewish people is always eternal. It is the Eretz Ha’Chayim. It’s where the revelation of Hashem will shine from. It’s through us that recall that Akeida and resurrection of Yitzchak each year on Rosh Hashana when we “King” Hashem, that the light of that eternal day will shine to the rest of the world and death even on an individual level will disappear and be swallowed up. Am Yisrael Chai will reveal Od Avinu Chai. Avraham was hoping that Sarah and he would fix that aspect of Creation as well, and he never bought that doubled cave which Adam and Chava were buried in. It was doubled because it signifies the duality of life and death. The temporary physical death and the eternal higher soul that will come back to life.

 

But ultimately Avraham didn’t complete the job. Yishmael still needed to be fixed, the children of Ketura needed to be sent away, Yitzchak produces and Esau who will bring death to the world and the children of Israel will be born outside of the land in the house of Lavan to raise the sparks over there and bring them back to the holy land. He writes fascinatingly enough, that Rachel who had the last of the tribes, Binyamin, and only one to be born in Israel, if she would’ve been laid to rest in the cave of the Machpela then the ultimate tikkun would’ve happened. But she was laid on the side of the road to await the day when her children would return from galus and bring Mashiach. Until the day when we achieved the job that has been waiting from the beginning of Creation, to once again bring the entire world-all brothers with a shared spark sheves yachad- from that narrow bridge of galus-singing ani ma’amin with entire complete faith to once again seeing the Avinu Chai in all of us.

 

That day is not far off. Hopefully it will even be today. We are blessed to see the resurrection of our people from the ashes of the holocaust. I am and my many tourists are astounded each day as we drive through Eretz Yisrael and see the land that seemed dead and desolate for so many years once again alive and singing the songs of Hashem and rebirth with its trees, farmland and people. Torah is flourishing as never before, as each day a new revelation, a new insight, a new Torah work is published and brings more and more light to the world. And our nation is coming home. Am Yisrael Chai! Od Avinu Chai… We just needed to be united together in this song and then the world together will live forever with the light of Hashem as we were meant to. 

Have a eternal Shabbos,

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

 ************************

YIDDISH PROVERB OF THE WEEK

 

“Der miesteh leben iz besser fun shensten toit.” - The ugliest life is better than the nicest death..  

 

RABBI SCHWARTZ’S COOL VIDEO OF THE WEEK

 

https://soundcloud.com/ephraim-schwartz/rivkah - Chayei Sarah’s not complete without my Rivkah Achoseinu song I composed for sister Rivky’s chasuna…

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U84t9GeZ56w  – Ari Goldwag’s latest video Ani Yehudi!

 

https://soundcloud.com/ephraim-schwartz/avinu-malkeinu  – Composed in memory of my dear friend Aryeh Kupinsky and all of the Kedoshim who were martyred including those this past week in Israel’s most recent and horrifying terror attack. May Hashem avenge their blood…

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbsK8-kptnw -  One of the greatest Jewish love and wedding songs from Shlomi Shabbat Bereishit Olam wih English lyrics… Love It!!

 

 

RABBI SCHWARTZ'S TOUR GUIDE EXAM QUESTION OF THE WEEK

answer below at end of Email

 

16)  The remains of a structure called the “Desert Kites” were found near the settlement of _________

According to most theorists its function was

A)  To show the border of an early Bronze Settlement

B)  A 17^th century gathering place for hunters to hunt partridges

C)  Deer hunting in the early bronze age

D)   An open-air mosque from the early Muslim period

 

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

 

Achazia - 706 BC –  With the death of Achav his son Achazia takes the reigns of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Achazia unlike his father Achav didn’t repent. He followed in the evil ways of his mother, Jezebel. Things came for a head with him when he tried to continue the relationship his father had with Yehoshafat the king of Yehudah in joint ship building venture from Etzion Gever to Ophir. There they would ship copper and bring gold from there. The endeavor never worked out though as the ships that they built all got destroyed and various storms. Yehoshafat saw that as a sign that he shouldn’t partner with the idolatrous king Achazia and so they broke up.

 

Etzion Gever according to most archeologists is by none other than the modern city of Eilat! Many tourists come to Israel and don’t appreciate that Eilat as well was part of Israel from the time of Solomon’s rule through the first Temple period. Well, there you go… Ophir, though we’re not really sure where it is. Some suggest it’s in Saudi Arabia others in North Africa. But regardless, it’s amazing to think that the port of Eilat today was as well used in the times of the Kings of Israel. So go visit this special city the next time you’re here.

 

Achazia’s reign doesn’t last long though after that. In fact it may not have even been a year. The King of Moab started to fight with them. In fact we even found records of that revolt in the Meisha manuscripts discovered in Jordan which of course is Moab. As well Achazia falls through a lattice roof the scripture tells us. It was a warning from Hashem to straighten up his act. Which he didn’t. not smart. What happens to him? Stay tuned next week.

 

RABBI SCHWARTZ’S REALLY (NOT JEWISH) RESURRECTION JOKES OF THE WEEK

(It’s what happens when I tour Non- Jews during the week..sorry…)

 

Three Christians die together and end up in front of the gates of Heaven. The angel states to the three men "It is not widely known but in order to get into Heaven, you need to answer a simple question about religion." so, he turns to the first man and asks, "what is Easter?"

 

The man pauses and says, "Is that the holiday where we gather around the table with our families, and eat turkey and pie, and celebrate the pilgrims arriving in America?"

 

The angel scowls "No. That is Thanksgiving. It is not even a religious holiday." So, he turns to the second man and asks the same question.

 

The second man replies "I know this. That is the holiday we cut down a tree and decorate it. We give gifts to loved ones. And we go to church that day."

 

The angel shakes his head, "That is Christmas. It’s your religious holiday, but you missed the whole point of that day."

 

Dejected, the angel turns to the last man and asks the same question.

 

The last man pauses and says "Let's see if I remember this right. Easter is the holiday we celebrate the resurrection of Yoshka after his crucifixion by the Romans."

 

The angel looks impressed.

 

The man continues, "After his death, they took him down from the cross, wrapped him in a shroud, and put him in a cave, then rolled a rock in front of the entrance."

 

The angel turns to the other men and says, "You should have been more like this this man while you were alive."

 

And then the man chimes in, "And if he comes out in 3 days and sees his shadow there's going to be six more weeks of winter."

 

What’s the difference between Yoshka and a picture of Yoshka? It only takes one nail to hang up the picture of Yoshka.

 

The day after Stalin's death.the Soviet nation decided to get rid of him once and for all and bury him as far away as possible. They set up a special commission. The commission turned to the British government with the request that they make available a plot in a British cemetery.

“Well,” replies the British government, ”we do already have Karl Marx in England … Two such great masters in the one cemetery . . . That would be overdoing it a bit…”

So they tried the Germans. ”Well, we would bury him here,’ reply the Germans, ‘but Hitler is already buried here. Two such great tyrants in the one country …”

Suddenly there arrived a telegram from Tel Aviv: ”In view of the fact that Stalin did not block the creation of the state of Israel, we agree to bury him here.”

”No way,” said the members of the commission in sudden panic. ”No way. After all they had a resurrection there …’”

 

Why did Yoshka move to China after his resurrection? Because it was easter.

 

Yoshka and Moshe are sitting in a boat, in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. Moshe turns to Yoshka and says, “Check out what I can do!” He proceeds to stand up in the boat, strike his staff, and boom! The water parts and the boat is resting on the bottom! After holding the water back for a few seconds, he releases his hold on the water. “I bet you can’t do anything that beats that!” Moshe states triumphantly.

So Yoshka stands up and says “Well, I think I might have something.” He climbs on to the edge of the boat, takes a step, and falls straight into the water.

 

Moshe, laughing until tears were coming from his eyes, helps Yoshka back into the boat. “What the heck!” Yoshka says while sputtering and coughing up water. “The last time I did that, it worked fine and I walked straight across!”

 

Moshe, still laughing at the sight of Yoshka being soaked, says “Well last time you didn’t have those holes in your hands and feet!”

 

A little boy, as in church on Easter Sunday with his mother, when after all this talk of crucifixion and resurrection he started feeling sick. “Mom,” he inquired, “can we leave now?”

“No,” his mother replied, “the service isn’t over yet.”

“Well, I think I’m about to throw up.” the boy announced.

“Then go out of the front door and around to the back of the church and throw up behind a bush,” said his mother.

After about 60 seconds, the boy returned to his pew, alongside his mother.

“Did you throw up?” she asked quietly.

“Yes,” the boy answered, embarrassed.

“How could you have gone all the way to the back of the church and returned so quickly?” Doris demanded.

“I didn’t have to go out of the church. They have a box next to the front door that says, For the Sick.”

 

********************************

Answer is C -I’m pretty sure I got this one right. I just have one question about it. See, I know what Desert kites are. I remember them from tour guiding program of Eilat when we spent too much time there in the heat of the day. They are basically these long stone formations in the shape of a triangle or funnel. They were used by hunters to chase deer into them and hunt them. They date back to the early Bronze period which is Jews in Egypt Era and prior to that. So the 2^nd part of the question is certainly C. The question is though the question asked what Yishuv or settlement is it near and Eilat really isn’t a settlement. But I wrote Eilat and I believe that is the right answer as the word Yishuv could also mean town. So I’m counting it as right. And thus the score now is until now as of last week Schwartz 15 and 3  for MOT (Ministry of Tourism) on this exam.

 

Vote For...- Parshat Vayeira 2022 5783

 

Insights and Inspiration

from the

Holy Land

from

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

"Your friend in Karmiel"

November 11^th 2022 -Volume 12 Issue 4 17^th of Cheshvan 5783

 

Parshat Vayeira

Vote for…

 

I hate politics. I like politics. I hate liking politics. I like hating liking politics...For those of you living in a cave you may have not noticed Election season is at its peak. In Israel I can tell you that even in caves that I have visited there will be political graffiti on the wall. “The nation is with Bibi” “Kahana Chai!” “There is a future with Atid” “Gimmel, the party of the Rabbis”.

 

I first got interested in politics when my parents used to force us to watch the evening news at dinner each evening and I realized that the more I engaged them in a conversation about politics and world events the less chance they would remember to ask me about the test I took in class or the homework I never completed. Later on, my interest grew and developed as I started working on college campus and realized that I had a choice to make- it was either going to be connecting with my college students, who assumed I was this closeted Orthodox Rabbi, over college football conversation or politics. Frankly, the thought of having to talk about 7-foot-tall angry madmen killing themselves over a ball as they ran around a field jumping all over one another made me want to lay down flat on that field. So instead once again I pursued and engaged in many deep and earthshattering political discussions. So I guess you can see like every good politician I got into politics for my own self-interests. No homework. No football. If only our politicians would be so honest.

 

The truth is I hate politics. I am cynical by nature, especially when it comes to politics and I get annoyed hearing the lies, the bad-mouthing, and the innocent and naïve passion that many people talk about a particular party or candidate with. As if voting for this person or party will dramatically alter the universe bringing either world peace, love and harmony and social security benefits, while the other will bring World War III, the collapse of the financial world as we know it and extend the ban on fountain soda soft drinks to the entire planet. I found it ironic that after one candidate after another never turned out what they promised they would be or do and election after election proves that, people are still buying and drinking the Kool-Aid that we have anyone to rely upon and that’s worth spending a bit of energy on besides Avinu She’bashamayim- our Father in heaven.

 

At the same time I enjoy the fact that people are actually engaged in conversation that has to do with the well being of the world. Election time is when we try to figure out how we can improve tomorrow. It’s a time when we can examine where we are and what we have succeeded and failed in accomplishing. Years of Yeshiva and Talmudic training has taught me the significance of the “conversation” and brainstorming that comes when two opposing views are forced to match up against one another. Politics has the ability to do that, and I enjoy the discussions that challenge my pre-conceived notions and perhaps give me an appreciation of a new way of thinking.

 

Sadly though politics, promises and ideas rarely lead up to the utopia that they promise. The great politicians change (or reveal their true colors) once they get into office and the same old realities of a world that is moving on its own pace, in its own direction, in my opinion down...down...down still lack the leadership that can bring it all together. So I hate liking it because of that disappointment. Yet, at the end of the day it turns me once again to that source of true direction-up above in my prayers- each day.

 

“Return our judges (leaders) as it once was and those that guide us as it was in the beginning and remove from us the grief and misery. And rule over us You alone with kindness, mercy and justice”.

 

And once again I appreciate that Hashem gives us this election day once again so that we may like hating liking it and long for His true leadership.

 

Yet, it is election time and in honor of that I will share with you two fascinating insights from this week’s Torah portion, that address an incredible question I heard this year about two people who have a political agenda. One fails. One succeeds. Who would you vote for?

 

The Torah tells us this week about Hashem’s most major global decision since the Tower of Babel and the flood. He decides to declare his war on evil, particularly the anti-chesed, licentious city if Sodom and it’s 4 boroughs Amora, Adma, Tzvoim and Tzoar (not that there’s anything wrong with living in a city with 5 boroughsL). Avraham, being the religious spiritual leader of the not-so-free world is brought in on the discussion to overturn these cities and he begins his political wrangling with Hashem. Maybe there are 50 righteous people? 45? It won’t play good in the press if you kill innocent and wicked together. Collateral damage is political deicide. Maybe 30? How’s about 20? 10? Avraham, realizes that this conversation was pretty much not going anywhere and Hashem had pretty much set his mind up and if there were no righteous it really was a lost cause so he goes on home. The divine plan is then set in motion.

 

But then salvation comes from a seemingly unlikely figure; none other than our good friend Lot. Yes, Lot, who left Avraham to seek out his fortune in this wicked of all cities. Lot, who was willing to let the mob take and defile his daughters rather than lose his reputation. (Lot, who is incidentally revered in Christian and Muslim tradition- you can understand why there might be theological problems with these faiths.). Yes, Lot upon fleeing the city turns to Hashem and asks him to save the city of Tzoar

 

“I’m sacred to run to the mountain- this city is close, it’s smaller, save it so I may live”

 

A very heartfelt plea, don’t you think? But what do we know? Sure enough, Hashem responds

 

“I have found favour for this thing as well for you. I will not turn over the city as you said.”

 

Pretty amazing! Avraham, the beloved of Hashem, father of many nations for whom it says Hashem created the entire world in his merit as he ended 2000 years of spiritual darkness can’t save the city. But Lot almost on an aside conversation as he barely gets away by the skin of his own teeth and as the Torah tells us only in the merit of Avraham is able to pull the salvation of this city out of his hat. As we say in Yeshiva... What’s Pshat?

 

The answer, Rabbi Noach Weinberg says, can be understood in two ways. One, Avraham was looking for Tzadikim. Lot on the other hand didn’t even bother trying to find Tzadikim he said it’s Mitz’ar- meaning smaller or younger- meaning its sins aren’t as bad; they’re not as wicked. That is the merit that worked. Reb Noach takes from that message that perhaps sometimes it behooves us to not always look at the world as who is righteous or not. Hashem judges at times and will give merit to the -"at least they’re not as bad as the other guys" group as well.

 

It’s a view to keep in mind when we approach our political debates in not over-exaggerating the rhetoric about the terrible opposing candidates maybe. No one is a Nazi or a murdering terrorist. Defining the level of evil and perhaps even finding some untapped potential for righteousness in that might be significant as well. On a more religious level as well the message is that no one should ever feel that someone is beyond saving or reaching out to. If Tzoar could be saved without any righteous people than there is certainly no Jew out there that we should feel is beyond us trying to connect with and sharing our special heritage with.

 

The other lesson that he suggests is that we may approach the difference between Avraham and Lot in that for Avraham it was a matter of global concern. As the Father of the nations and the person responsible for bringing the knowledge of Hashem and his ways to the world, the city of Tzoar had to make sense to fit into that plan. Frankly they fell very short. And as much as he personally might have wanted to save them, perhaps he foresaw that without the righteous people in the city to help them and guide them they would just get themselves in more trouble. Lot on the other hand was the ultimate politician. He wanted to save Tzo’ar for one reason. He needed to a place to live and he was scared for his life; Your typical self-interest one issue voter.

 

When you have your life on the line and turn to Hashem with the most heartfelt prayer ever- “Help me- save this city I have nowhere else to turn” than even when the scales of justice are entirely turned against you. Even when the decree has been finalized. The power of that one heartfelt prayer to our Father in heaven can change it all. Lot felt his life was invested and connected to the fate of Tzo’ar and his prayer was able to accomplish where Avraham’s was not.

 

Was it a good thing to save Tzo’ar this wicked city? Was Lot right? Discuss. It’s your Shabbos table homework. Would you vote for Avraham or Lot? Well, if you live in a place like those five boroughs that might make a difference. But most importantly how deeply do we feel about the issues that we are talking and debating about in regard to our candidates. Are we wasting our time? If we truly feel that issues such as Israel, the economy, Torah, health care, justice, peace, security and most of all Hashem’s presence on this world are important enough beyond sticking a ballot in a box, are we prepared to do something to make this world a better place? The lesson from Lot is that we can change the world if we feel that are lives are dependent on it. We have so much to offer and so much needs to be done. Instead of “passing the buck” to another unworthy politician, to paraphrase Ronald Reagan- “The buck stops here”; by each and every one of us. I vote for you.

 

Have a spectactular Shabbos,

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

 

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YIDDISH PROVERB OF THE WEEK

 

“Vos a ventke far fish iz Chanifeh far melochim..”- What a fishing rod is to fish, flattery is to kings.       

 

RABBI SCHWARTZ’S COOL VIDEO OF THE WEEK

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcm-QBDgnWM   - Nissim Blacks latest song “Away from Here!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMBsv3K3QFY – At Shlomo Carlebachs grave yesterday for his yartzeit…

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RuAcsThqT4 – A hidden Carlebach song that I’ve never heard Ka’asher Dibarta…

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UP8HTelNVY   -  The great Shlomo Yamin U’smol in honor of Shabbos.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t0TGxZABZE – The latest Bardak video.. Love It!!

 

 

RABBI SCHWARTZ'S TOUR GUIDE EXAM QUESTION OF THE WEEK

answer below at end of Email

 

16)  The leader that established the significance of Jerusalem as central was _________

His burial place is

A)  The Military prison is in Kiryat Anavim

B)  The great leaders of the Nation section of Mt. Herzl cemetery

C)  In the area of Sdei Boker

D)   On the property of Machon Weizman

 

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

 

Yehoshafat - 715 BC –  As opposed to the sinful and idolatrous kingdom of the North of Israel, the Southern Kingdom of Yehuda and Binyamin had undergone a teshuva movement under the faithful king Asa and it continued on with his sone Yehoshafat. Yehoshafat ruled over the expanded kingdom of Yehuda and Binyamin which went all the  way down to Beer Sheva and even up to the North in the region of the tribe of Ephraim by Shilo and Beit El that had been conquered by his father.  He removed all of the idols and eliminated all of the houses of ill repute that ha plagued the land. The one thing that he was not successful in ridding the country of was that bamos- the private personal altars that people constructed to serve Hashem. I guess the modern-day equivalent would be the post-corona back yard minyanim. As long as the Mishkan was around it was fine to worship Hashem with private altars. But once the Bais Hamikdash was destroyed this was forbidden. We find remains of these bamos today, in Shilo, Tel Dan, in Arad and Tel Beer Sheva as well as many other archaeological sites from this era.

 

With the return of the nation to Hashem an era of prosperity took over. The local arabs and even the Philistines paid tribute to the King and the Jews. Nations from around visited and respected the land of Israel and our sovereignty. When we do what we’re supposed to be doing Hashem brings us blessing. Yet there are always those goyim that want to attack us and against them- when we are doing what we are supposed to do, Hashem brings us salvation as well.

 

In Divrey Hayamim- the Torah’s Book of Chronicles it tells us the story of how the Ammonites and Moabites come up from across Jordan to attack us by Hatzetzon Tamar which is Ein Gedi, by the Dead Sea area. AS well at the same time the Edomites from Mt. Seir had the same plan and came up from their area which is South of the Dead Sea and the mountains above the Arava valley from Eilat and the Gulf of Aqaba up to attack us as well.  Yehoshafat declared a fast for all of Israel and davened until a prophecy came out that there was nothing to fear  this would be the battle of Hashem. We could sit back and watch the show.

 

Sure enough by the midbar of Tekoa down to Maalei Hatzitz the armies of our enemies arrived and converged and believe it or not they all started fighting and killing each other. That ascent would be the mountains above Ein Gedi that lead to the Gush. For those status followers of mine it wouldn’t be too far from the Arugot Farm today.  By the end of the day all our enemies had wiped each other out. The Jews came there and it took them three days to take all the booty that was left behind. They named the valley Emek Bracha which is south of Jerusalem today. By the Tzomet Hagush there is a great lookout by roof of the mall there on this glorious valley. The rest of Yehoshafat’s rule was peaceful and blessed and we are told he was buried in the city of David where all the Kings of Israel were laid to rest.

 

This concludes the history of the first book of Kings. Next week we begin Melachim Beis! Mazel Tov!!

 

RABBI SCHWARTZ’S REALLY BAD ISRAELI ELECTION JOKES OF THE WEEK

 

After the results of the Israeli Elections Joe Biden called Bennet to wish him congratulations…

 

In honor of Liebermans party not making it into the Knesset there will be a big Kiddush in Shul with sugar drinks and disposable plates and cups

 

Whoever used to yell at Bibi “Lech!” got instead “Lech Lecha!” and next week they will get Chayei “Sara” (Netanyhau)

 

If you’re sitting on the beach and see Achmed Tibi trying to drown himself over Bibi’s win and you have a choice to save him or eat a sandwich. What type of sandwich would you eat Tuna or pastrami?

 

It’ll be interesting to see which government positions Ben Gvir will give Bibi when the negotiations are over.

 

If you told a Jew a few hundred years ago that a Jew would be able to vote for their own candidate in an election to establish a government in our country, they would find it very hard to believe. If however you told them that we had those elections every few months because the candidates couldn’t’ get along with one another and would constantly topple the government they would then find it much easier to swallow it.

 

We really have to do something about the relationship between the government and it’s criminals and prisoners. It just doesn’t seem fair that there are only 120 seats in the Knesset for them to receive an office and position.

 

When I vote tomorrow do you think I need to bring my Teudat Zehut or will the remember it from last time?

 

It’s funny after Bibi won half the country said that they are now planning on leaving the country. You see, in one day he solved the housing crisis.

 

We ask you please don’t reveal the results of the election to the Meretz party. Their families have not yet been informed…

 

So an Ashkenazi man dies and comes up to heaven and as he enters Gan Eden he sees that the entire garden is filled with smells of Matbucha and kibbeh and he realizes that he is entirely surrounded by Sefardim. When he asks the angel why there are only Sefardim here, the angel explained that they were all Shas voters and Maran had promised them Olam Habah if they vote for his party.

“But then why are there some Ashkenazim, sitting there in the corner” he asked. “Oh those” the angel said “They were part of the heskem odafim (the extra votes agreement”) that Shas had with Gimmel.

 

I think the last two years I spent more time in the public school auditorium where the voting booths were than in my daughters’ school…

 

The way things work after the elections. The new mayor of the city decided that it was time to fulfill his election promise to build a new bridge for the city. He went to the local Arab contractor, Achmed, and asked for a quote and was told it would cost 120 million shekel. When asked what the breakdown Achmed  explained-“40 million for material, 40 million for workers and 40 million profit”

He then went to the Boris the Russian contractor and asked him how much it would cost and he was told it would be 240 million shekel. When asked to explain Boris said that it was “80 million for material, 80 million for workers and 80 million profit”

Finally, to make it fair he went over to the Jewish contractor and was quite shocked when they guy told him that it would be 400 million shekel. By far this was the most expensive quote. When asked to explain Dudu said “It’s very simple. 140 million for you, 140 million for me and 120 million to the Achmed the Arab that will do the work for us.” Needless to say he got the contract…

 

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Answer is C  This one was is really a no brainer. Perhaps one of the greatest achievements and yes, even zechusim that David Ben Gurion has was that against much opposition and even practical and strategic thinking he demanded and fought for Yerushalayim to be the capital of Israel and he sent tremendous forces to fight for it in the War of Independence. He could’ve easily given up on it, he would’ve much easier been able to negotiate a Jewish state with the world if he established the capital in Tel Aviv and allowed the Arabs to keep Yerushalayim which they had a much stronger and larger presence then we did. But he understood that without Yerushalayim, we have no heart and no soul. Ben Gurion was a complicated man certainly religiously. But there is no question that he had his heart and soul dedicated to his perception of the future of the Jewish people. After his retirement from his Prime Ministership, he returned to his kibbutz Sdei boker in the Negev where he worked the fields like a simple kibbutznik and corresponded with Jewish children responding to letters that were sent to him. And thus the score now is until now as of last week Schwartz 14 and 3  for MOT (Ministry of Tourism) on this exam.

"I"-tinerary Unplanning- Parshat Lech Lecha 2022 /5783

 

Insights and Inspiration

from the

Holy Land

from

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

"Your friend in Karmiel"

November 4^th 2022 -Volume 12 Issue 3 10^th of Cheshvan 5783

 

Parshat Lech Lecha

 

“I” tinerary

 

It’s probably one of the most frustrating things for tourists of mine. They want to know what we will be doing. What are we going to see? What will we do? Where will we explore. What will our day be like? I understand them. It’s in fact only normal to expect a planned worked out itinerary for the day or days they will be paying a lot of money to me to guide them for. For most of them, this is not a trip they do all the time. It may even be a trip of a lifetime. They have all different ages in their family that are coming along. Different needs and expectations and even different interests and places and activities that some may want to do and others may not. So, let’s go over some ideas, they say to me. Send us some sample itineraries and we can hash it out and send it around our group and decide. When’s a good time for us to have a group call and discuss all our options. Unfortunately for them though, Rabbi Schwartz doesn’t really work that way. Yup, you guys got stuck with the one tour guide in Israel that really avoids making itineraries for his clients. You’ll just have to bite your lip and trust me, I tell them. But one thing, I guarantee- if you do, you will absolutely have the best day of your lives.

 

Let me explain a bit where I’m coming from and why I feel this way. Why my tour guiding planning Modus Operandi has shifted and changed. Why over the years I feel that itineraries are really the big enemy to a great tour. And if you stick around until the end of this first part of the E-Mail, then you’ll even see that Hashem pretty much feels the same way, why this is really the secret of an incredibly rich and successful life, and even how this all ties into the Bar Mitzva of my son Tully this Shabbos and my bracha and wishes to him.

 

But first before we get to all of that, and the way that I convince my tourists to just go with me on this- besides the fact that for the large part they are either return customers that already had an amazing time, is that they’ve come to me from previously satisfied and even ecstatic customers that have told them that they really need to have the Rabbi Schwartz tour when they come to Israel if they want to do it right. So, I have a bit of credibility before I start generally speaking. Yet at the same time I assure them that one of the secrets of a Rabbi Schwartz tour-and it really doesn’t matter who I tour, because I really take all types of families, large, small, religious, non-religious, in towners out of towners; everybody- is that every day will have the basic four ingredients within them. Each day will have some history in it, it could be Tanach, Mishna, Talmud, Romans Crusaders, Modern Israeli history. Each day has some type of nature in it to take in the beauty of the land of Israel. Perhaps a hike, or trail, or farm or overlook or water. Each day will have some fun activity, which could be jeeping, Atv, rapelling, speedboating, rafting, camel rides, donkey rides, chocolate factory, workshops and hands on activities. And finally, every day will have good food. Very important. Some tour guides can find you the hardest hikes in Israel. I’m the one that knows where all the best mehadrin restaurants are. The optional fifth is of course holy sites and graves of tzadikim, but that I generally only do for prayers, Shacharis, Mincha, Mariv or after daylight hours. I’m not going to make any of my tourists go on the tour my parents made me go on when I was 10, when I thought that the entire Israel was just dead people and Tehillim all day.

 

So depending on my tourists, we have a bit more chocolate, more salt, more pepper, more honey, but at the end of the day I guarantee everyone will get something out of the day and most people will get everything. See, once they know that, then most of my tourists are comfortable. They don’t need more details or a specific plan.  Because in truth that’s all that everybody really wants out of a great touring day in Israel. Usually at that point they are ready to sign up and trust me. Which of course is the best decision they’ve ever made.

 

Now what is my problem and issue with making itineraries and specifically telling people what we will be doing? Am I just lazy, or too busy or can’t be bothered with hashing out all the nitty gritty details and specifics? The answer to that is probably yes. I am busy, thank God. Finally, after a year and half of sitting on the couch during Corona waiting for you guys to come back. I’m swamped, in fact. I am a bit lazy and don’t have patience really to plan these things out as well. But it’s more than that as well. Itineraries are the enemy, I’ve learned. Life is much much better when you have no idea what’s going to come next. If you don’t believe me. Look at this week’s Parsha. Think about the first commandment we find Hashem giving to our forefather Avraham on his first tour to Israel. Lech Lecha… Go for yourself from you father’s land, your birthplace el ha’makom asher areh’ka- to the place I will show you. What’s the itinerary? You’ll find out when you get there, Avraham. Meantime get on the minibus, we’ve got a trip and journey to make.

 

OK so here’s my problem with itineraries. The truth I believe is that it’s Hashem’s problem as well. And if you understand this, I believe it can really be a life-changing experience in every area in life. The first is that I’ve found is that whenever we begin to discuss itineraries, my tourists want to know the entire tour before we even get there. So, let’s say I tell them that we will go to Rosh Hanikra. They then want to know what they’ll see there. What will we do there? What I’m going to talk about. They want the whole tour before we even get there. The problem with that is that first of all, telling you what it will be and what we will do is never going to be as amazing and seeing it for yourself. There are some places that are just so magnificent and spectacular that words don’t really do it justice. You’ve just got to see it to appreciate it. The second thing is that the experience of seeing and discovering it for the first time without knowing what it will be is an amazing experience in of itself. You don’t want to know what’s going to happen at the end of the story in a book or movie. Part of the “chavaya” is the “Wow!” when you see it all open and unfold in front of you. And I don’t want to take that from you, so I’m just not telling you.

 

The next reason why I don’t tell my tourists what we are going to do particularly if it’s a larger group, is that everyone else has a different idea of what they think we should do, what they heard from a friend will be great, what a trip for Israel would be incomplete unless they did it. Inevitably what that means, since we can’t do everything, is that someone will be disappointed. Ahh… we should’ve done that instead. We missed out on this. Why didn’t we go here or there?  Along the same lines as well is that the day never works out according to plan anyways. We get a later start, the weather isn’t what we thought it would be, we spent more or less time in one place or another, or we hit traffic. If they had a plan and a schedule then what happens is that we will inevitably not end up doing something that was on the plan and they will feel, that we missed out. Shucks, we should’ve done that. I told you guys to come down earlier or not to dilly dally at those shops or take so many pictures. Someone is going to be disappointed. If on the other hand we never had a plan. So we never miss out on anything. We just used after minute doing and seeing and enjoying and experiencing the best day of your life in Eretz Yisrael.

 

Moving along on reasons not to have an itinerary, is that what happens when you have a plan and when you have some type of fun activity (which as I said we always do) that’s the only thing that the kids are thinking about all day. Are we going to make it in time for the chocolate factory? When are we going Jeeping? Should we change yet for our rafting down the Jordan? When is the camel rides? They don’t appreciate or enjoy or allow themselves to be totally inspired by the rich history and story of Masada, or the shuls of Tzfat, or places of our Patriarchs and Matriarchs or the sages of the Mishna because all they can think about is the farkakteh speedboating ride that was on the other itinerary or the Atv’ing through the desert. They’re too nervous we’re not going to get there in time, and they’re too concerned that they will miss out on the activity. If they never know what’s on the schedule though, the opposite happens. They enjoy everything that we’re doing during the moment and the thrill, excitement, and surprise when they finally find out towards the end of the day that we’re going jeeping, horseback riding or sliding down waterfalls is even more fun. Why would I take that experience away from anyone?

 

But perhaps the most meaningful and even holiest reason not to have an itinerary pre-planned and to just trust your tour guide is because there is an incredible satisfaction and relief to be able to know that you truly don’t have to worry about anything. You’re in good hands. I have your back. And your front. And your kids. Your food, your fun, your inspiration. I’ve got you covered. Your kids will be asking you the entire day, what’s next? Where are we going? What are we going to see? What’s the plan? And for many of you, for the first time in your lives, not have to tell them anything. I don’t know. Ask the tour guide. He’s in charge. You will feel that burden of the need to always have an answer, a plan, a response and a discussion whether we should do this or that, whether we should go here or there lifted from your shoulders. You can just sit back and enjoy the ride. You can look out the window and take it all in. And the truth is, isn’t that what life really should be like anyways?

 

It’s a funny word “itinerary”. According to google it comes from the latin word itinerareum which means journey of roads. To me it’s all about Lech Lecha- or as Rashi says journeying to the the “I” to yourself. To revealing something special inside of yourself- l’hana’ascha u’ltovascha- for your enjoyment or benefit and for your good. Rav Charlap explains that when someone looks at things wit their human physical eyes then we are limited by our perception. We think that we “see it like it is”. There’s good and bad in front of us. Hopefully its mostly good that we see. Yet at the same time our natural sense is to see the things that are not that great. That didn’t work out. We find that little black dot, the parts of the trip that weren’t so geshmak. When one however is not limited by the physical eyes, rather they are seeing things through the “eyes’ of heaven. If they understand that the heavenly tour guide had planned and worked out everything just perfect for them, then there is nothing that went or goes wrong on the trip. There’s only good. Even the things that might seem at first glance to have not worked out according to “our plan”, that’s only because we never really knew what the perfect “I” tinerary for our trip was. We’re silly tourists in life that heard from friends of ours what we should see and do, but didn’t know that those things weren’t the right things for us to experience in our tour. Only the Divine tour guide knows how to create that specialized personal “I” tinerary for us and for our family and for our life. We just have to trust him and see the places asher ar’ehka- which He will show us. If we have that faith, then it will not only be l’tovascha- a good trip, but even l’hanasacha- it will be the trip of a lifetime that we will enjoy every minute of it.  

 

It’s not only Avraham’s first tour to Eretz Yisrael that Hashem takes the reigns of Avraham and tells him to trust Him and see the land that He will show him. In next week’s parsha as well when he takes Yitzchak up to Har Ha’Moriah where he will bring him for a sacrifice, once again it’s to “the place I will show you”. A thousand years later when Avraham’s descendants will come to the land of Israel as well the location of the Bais Ha’Mikdash is l’shichno tidroshu u’vasah shama- I’m not telling you where it is. It’s going to be the place I will show you. For forty years in the wilderness we went to “not-planning-itinerary school to learn this. We left when the clouds and pillar fire our “tour guides” signal for us to move, told us to. And the day was over when they rested. The person that understood that the most in life, though was Moshe Rabbeinu. His one request in life was to be able to see the land. He wanted to see the good Hashem had for us in the land. He wanted to be on Hashem’s itinerary. But it wasn’t meant to be for him. That wasn’t part of his tour.

 

The truth is though as opposed to itineraries as I am, I still understand that my tourists need some type of plan and outline for what our day would like. I mean of course they already know that it’s going to be good. But they need to know how to dress, what to bring, how to prepare best to experience everything that we will be doing. Are we doing water activities? Do they need bathing suits, sunscreen, water?  Should they bring lunch? Nosh- that’s always a yes by the way. They need instructions.  Hashem does that for us as well. Those instructions for our journey in life-or our tour we call the “Torah” or “Tour-ahhh..” See the “ahhhh” sigh of geshmak is when we follow it.. It’s the plan that Hashem has mapped out for us how to get the most out of the incredible trip the neshoma he has given us can get the most of our sojourn here in this world. It’s the plan for how we will get to Eretz Yisrael and fulfill His mitzvos in the ultimate way. It’s our triptiks (remember those?) to the Bais Ha’Mikdash. That journey begins when we get on that minibus of Klal Yisrael at our Bar Mitzva. It’s our visa to become part of this incredible tour. It’s when the fun all starts.

 

One of the cute things that I like about some of my tourist family trips is that some of them all get these matching T- Shirts and caps with some family slogan or title on it. The “Greenberg Israel winter 2022 Israel Trip”, “Tully’s Bar Mitzva”, “The Rocking Rokach family”, “The Cohen’s love Israel”. Hashem as well has given us our own unique uniforms. They are the tefillin, that we wear, the tznius that we dress with and more importantly act with, the Bris Mila that Avraham is given in this week’s parsha, our tzitzis. They tell the world that we are on a trip of a lifetime- or perhaps a lifetime that is really merely a trip. Avraham’s trip is absolutely nothing like he would ever have planned. He goes to Israel and then has to leave to Egypt, he has wars, he has guests, he meets angels, he has sees miracles, he becomes wealthy, he grows, he becomes. His journey, our sages tell us is the journey of all of us. Maa’seh avos siman la’banim. All of our lives will never be what expected but it is the itinerary that is made specifically and personally for us. Hashem tells His angels next week that the reason He chose Avraham is because

 

Ki yada’ativ l’maan asher yitzaveh es banuv v’es baieso acharuv v’shomru derech Hashem- Because I know that he will command his children and his house after him and they will follow the path of Hashem.

 

Avraham taught his children that life is following the itinerary and instructions of Hashem. We are on His path. We are on His tour. And Tully, I’m passing on and sharing that message with you as well.

 

Mommy and I are so proud of you. We’ve spent 13 years preparing you for this trip and tour. This morning you put on your tour tefillin, your uniform, your tzitzis and you came on the bus. May life’s journey always be l’hana’scha and l’tovascha- that you always have ha’na’ah enjoyment and fulfillment. That you always see the good. That your journey brings all of Klal Yisrael and the shechina back to its final destination. To the Bais Ha’Mikdash gloriously rebuilt. Mazel Tov!

 

Mazel Tov!

Have a Nachasdikeh Simchadikeh Shabbos,

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

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YIDDISH PROVERB OF THE WEEK

 

“Az me gait gleich, fait men nit.”- If you walk straight, you will not stumble.         

 

RABBI SCHWARTZ’S COOL VIDEO OF THE WEEK

 

https://soundcloud.com/ephraim-schwartz/kum   - My incredible song from this week’s Bar Mitzva Parsha of the commandment of Avraham to start his journey of Eretz Yisrael. Get your hiking shoes on for this one KUM!

 

https://soundcloud.com/ephraim-schwartz/vzakeynu-lirot-banim   – My Nachas song praying to and  praising Hashem for blessing me with children that follow Hashem’s ways.

 

https://soundcloud.com/ephraim-schwartz/eitz-chayim   – Finally my song about the Torah- that tree of life that only brings pleasentness the lekach tov Hashem has gifted us with.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHN7q_qePXU  -  And for good measure great new Lech Lecha song by Eli Levine and of course arranged by my dear friend Yitz Berry!

 

 

RABBI SCHWARTZ'S TOUR GUIDE EXAM QUESTION OF THE WEEK

answer below at end of Email

 

16)  The first agricultural settlements of the third Aliya were established in the    _________  region

The conditions that allowed this were

A)  Good agricultural lands that had modern farming equipment

B)  Accessibility to the purchase of land and the establishment of contiguous settlements

C)  Security and the proximity to central roads that connected the different populations

D)   The historical Jewish connection to the area with the abundance of archeological remains from the period of the Mishna and the Talmud

 

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

 

The Final Battle - 718 BC –  The tragic life of Achav comes to an end this week with his final battle against Ben Hadad of Aram. I say tragic life of Achav, because on the one hand he had mourned and done teshuva for the murder in which he was complicit of Navos, whom his wife Jezebel had killed on his behalf in order that he could take his vineyard. Achav heeded the rebuke of Eliyahu and was given extra years. On the other hand his greed and confidence led him astray to wage war against Ben Hadad whom he had spared earlier against the wishes of Hashem and his prophet Micha ben Imla. They became the thorn in his side and when he decided to attack them together with the righteous King of Yehudah, Yehoshafat, once again the prophet Micha warned him that he would die and that the war would fail. Achav though was fooled by the spirit of Navos that came back down to the other prophets Tzidkiyahu ben Canana that convinced him to go to battle anyways. Tzidkiyahu even slaps Micha and Achav has him locked up and fed animal food until he would come back from battle. Micha ruefully tells Achav that he ain’t gonna be coming back.

 

Meantime as the ready for battle Achav recognizes that he probably has a big target on his back, as Ben Hadad is out to get him. It is reminiscent of the various battles of the modern state of Israel as we mentioned where our mercy on our enemies just lead to their renewed determination to wipe us out and they come back with a fury. So Achav tells Yehoshafat that he will be disguising himself as a regular soldier so that they don’t find him instead of going out in the typical royal gear and chariots. Yehoshafat though goes out to be bait almost in his regular royal garment. The ploy doesn’t work though in the big picture.

 

The battle takes place by Ramot Gilead which is in modern day Jordan on the other side of the Yarden. The soldiers of Ben Hadad spot Yehoshafat in his royal attire and began to attack him assuming that he was Achav. Yet Yehoshafat t cried out to Hashem and Hashem miraculously saved him. The troops of Achav heard Yehoshafat davening and realized that this wasn’t Achav, as Achav wasn’t a big davener it seems. They had orders from Ben Hadad to focus their attack only on Achav and thus upon realizing that they had the wrong man redirected their attack towards Achav’s men. One of the archers of Ben Hadad shot an arrow and it hit Achav between his armor. Again this was certainly a divine shot directed by Hashem. As they say every bullet has its destination. Achav is mortally wounded and evacuated from the battlefield and brought back home to Shomron where he dies and his blood drips down out of the chariot “in the pools of the prostitutes and where the dogs licked his blood”. This was a fulfilment of the prophecy of Micha of what Achav’s end would be like. The people of Israel though according to the Midrash fled the battlefield however Ben Hadad’s army did as well and so besides for the death of Achav the battle was won.

 

The story and all of the stories of Achav are usually best told by Tel Jezre’el in the Jezre’el valley, where Achav’s palace once stood, overlooking those vineyards that still grow there today. There’s a great pool there for kids to dip in, however I generally leave out the part about Achav’s bloody chariot being washed there until after they’ve dipped. Next week we conclude the book of Melachim I with the story of what happens to Yehoshafat before we move to the next generation of the Kings of the North and Southern Kingdoms of Israel.

 

RABBI SCHWARTZ’S REALLY TERRIBLE TRAVEL JOKES OF THE WEEK

 

Knock-knock. Who’s there? Cargo. Cargo who? Cargo beep-beep!

 

Knock-knock. Who’s there? Europe. Europe who? No, I’m not! You are!

 

Knock-knock. Who’s there? Hawaii. Hawaii who? I’m good! Hawaii you?

 

Knock-knock. Who’s there?. Norma Lee Norma Lee who? Norma Lee, we go swimming on Sundays, but today we’re doing a mountain hike!

 

Knock-knock Who’s there? Sherwood. Sherwood who? I Sherwood like to leave the hotel and start our tour right now!

 

How do you know elephants love to travel? Because they always pack their trunk!

 

How do rabbits travel? By Hareplane!

 

Why did the librarian get thrown off the plane? Because the flight was overbooked!

 

What happens when you wear a watch on a plane? Time flies!

 

I don’t want to take my dog on road trips! He can be such a bark seat driver.

 

The food on the small aircraft wasn’t good…It was a little plane.

 

I took four hours to check out of my hotel in Japan. The receptionist told me,  “You really Tokyo time.”

 

 I love travelling to France. There’s nothing Toulouse.

 

Why are the winters so cold in America? I think Alaska local.

 

 I haven’t slept in days because I am about to climb the highest mountain in the world. I wonder whether I will Everest.

 

Mountains are not just funny, they are really hilly areas.

 

The airline lost my luggage, so I sued them. Unfortunately, I lost the case.

 

Don’t love the water? Hiking is great for an altitude adjustment!

 

When going to the bathroom in the woods, you have to use the facilitrees.

 

Want to know our plan for today’s hike? I’ll summit up nicely.

Me: “I’d love to travel more”. The bank account: “Like, to the park?”

 

My favourite childhood memory is my parents paying for my holidays.

 

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Answer is B  This one had me stumped and I think I got it wrong. But I’ll let you know next week for sure. I was pretty sure that the answer was the Jezre’el valley. I thought it was because of the central roads which I understood to be the train line of Rakevet Ha’Emek- the valley train that connected it all made transportation easier to move things and connect all of the settlements. On the other hand they did have modern equipment then, it did have good farming land and as well there were many lands that were purchased. So I’ll hold off on the score until next week to let you know how I did on this one (or you did) after I poll my tour guiding group and ask them what they think  And thus the score now is until now as of last week Schwartz 12 and 3  for MOT (Ministry of Tourism) on this exam.