I read one of the most disturbing articles on JPOST.COM ( not like it was their fault that palestinians are so pig-headed, yet it was still disturbing).
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1154525872745&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
"Rizkah said the war united Arabs and Muslims around the world "because now they are looking forward to achieving freedom and dignity." He added: "If anything, this war has shattered the myth of the invincible [Israeli] army and [shown] that the Israelis are unable to confront the strong determination and will of Muslim fighters.""
The problem is that because we have lost our presteige and fear in the eyes of the Arab nations, they will readily launch hundreds of more terrorist attacks and whatnot( just read the article).
Again, I shall compare our situation to a body infected with cancer. Because the cancer cells transform the body's healthy cells into cancerous cells- and wage a war against each other- it wears out the body. Then imagine a normally defeatable, round-of-the-mill virus comes along and hatches itself in that cancer-infected body! The body's immune system is so tired and defeated that it has no defense against the puny virus! In the end, its that meak litte virus that could end up being the cause of death for the poor cancer-wracked body!
We have been fighting ourselves dangerously for the past couple years. Its culmination came into affect when we attacked each other during the evacuation of Gush-Katif. Little kippot-srugot children have been instilled with an automatic fear and hatred towards chayalim, or soldiers. We were brother agaisnt brother out there, and that has weakened our nation's immune system!
In a dog-eat cat world, well we assume that is the way it would be- or else one species would die out. In a dog-eat dog world, well its been used so much, that you assume from the beginning that its normal. But when it comes to a brother-eat-brother world, thats when we need to pause and look at the direction we are headed towards. Do we really want to trench in the hate coated darkness of sinat chinam?
Now the Arabs have caught us with our trousers down. We were not unprepared for the war in the sense that militarily everything is up to its best. But psychologically ans spiritually, our nation is restless! Ehud Olmert, our new Prime Minister, had had plans to evacuate more places throughout Israel, in order to comply with American demands, of course. But his plans for another hitnatkut, or hitkansut as theyre calling it now, were pushed to the wayside as the demands for sincere focus were upped as Hizbullah rained Ketyushas on our faces. Yet his armies nor his government could be totally prepared because of the cancer we have been fighting in this Israeli body.
Our immune system is down!
If you read on in the article, it says, "Emboldened by what they perceive as the Hizbullah "victory" over Israel, several writers and commentators in the Arab world have begun openly discussing the possibility of destroying Israel. "
Now the normally feeble virus can attack our sickly body because its focus is slotted elsewhere. They have plans to do G-d-only-knows-what to us and our country because they precieve a weakness amongst us: sinat chinam.
People!!! sinat chinam is STILL a problem!! And until we can get our act together, and unite as one- we are hopeless!
Yet, this month long saga between us and Lebanon has brought out a mighty power in the Jewish nation: giving. Today I helped back boxes for soldiers ( could be religious soldier, could be chilonim, but I don't care). All the things were bought with money donated by a Jewish man in America. He donated 120,000 DOLLARS ( multiply that by 4.5 and that's how mush that is in shekels) in order to provide the chayalim and chayalot with little necessities like shampoo and underwear! I packed boxes with fellow jews, some I know, some I've never met: but the important thing is that we were doing it together, we were doing it for a united cause!
My school, Ulpanah Tzviah of Maaleh Adumim is hosting about 18 families in their facilities, and there are scores of people from the community who are volunteering to entertain them and cater food for them.
So we should learn what the Arabs seemed to have caught onto by agreeing that "in the wake of the Israel-Hizbullah war, the best thing for the Palestinians at this stage is to be united."
If they can unite, should'nt it seem more than natural that we can too?!
And yet while they unite in the heightened goals of war, destruction, and world domination, Jews from all over the world must unite in freedom, peace, and nationly love. When we commit ourselves to one another, and are free of biases and baseless hatreds, then we can be saved from the impending mostrosity of "The United States of Allah"
יום שלישי, אוגוסט 15, 2006
יום ראשון, אוגוסט 13, 2006
Can't Let the Bastards Win!
This blog is a response I wrote to an e-mail I recieved a few days ago. First I'll publish the person's e-mail( in blue), followed by my response( in red). ( All names have been excluded)
Let's face it – things are tough. There's a major war going on in which friends and family members are involved. People are getting killed and maimed. Being on the other side of the world from these earth-shattering events, I'm at the mercy of the various pundits and media outlets that, as we all know, put their none too positive spin on things. Terrorist entities are turned into charitable organizations and legitimate political parties, and we here in the free world – for that's where we are, even in this post–Cold War era – are told that there's no way that we can win against them. (If these pundits and journalists had been the norm during the Second World War, the commonly accepted greeting by the end of the war would probably have been an outstretched arm, palm down – and I would probably not be here to write this.) On top of this, there are constant plots to attack us, as events such as those in the United Kingdom yesterday continue to prove. Fortunately, the plot was foiled, but the result was still diverted flights and cancelled or rescheduled travel plans – though ironically, yesterday was probably the safest day to fly in the US, with all the heightened security measures in place. The expression "You're letting the terrorists win" has become something of a cliché, even a joke, in the US since 9-11. But after living in Israel, and seeing how the people there manage despite all the efforts to attack and eradicate them, it's a forgone conclusion that the expression is true. The terrorists seek to create mega-spectacles of death and destruction; forget any political goals, it all too often seems like they're after death and destruction for their own sake. But they want to cause so much more than killing and destroying. They also aim to disrupt of our social, political, and economic ways of life, using these spectacles as devices to instill fear and trepidation – hence the terms "terror" and "terrorism." On the personal front, I am torn between keeping abreast of every development in the Middle East and just shutting it out. On the one hand, my family is in Israel. My parents, my daughter, my siblings, my extended family, and indeed – the whole Jewish nation, to which I belong. Everything that happens there affects me here, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. On the other hand, that effect is precisely what makes me want to shut it out. What is the point of going on about my business – my creative life, involving music, writing, photography, whatever else – when there are people fighting and dying? (I'm not in the position to do what would seem obvious to some – to drop everything and go to Israel and volunteer in some way. Believe me, the thought has occurred to me. But like many caring people making a living, it just isn't feasible right now.) Then I came to the conclusion: If I stop doing these things, the very things that keep me going, then the terrorists would have won. They'd have won their immoral victory against me by disrupting my way of life. And they'd have accomplished that without firing as much as a single bullet in my direction (though I'm sure they'd love to do that, given the chance). A number of years ago, during the suicide-homicide terror bombing campaign called the "intifada," I pondered exactly these same issues. From one side came the psychological effects of the terror war, sent via media from Israel to my abode on the Jersey Shore. From the other side, my conscience was nagging at me – how can I just go on doing 'my thing' when other 'things' are as desperate as they are? And in classic singer-songwriterly fashion, I resolved the dilemma with some lyrics. How can I go on singing love songs When things are much more bitter than sweet How can I keep rocking and rolling along While heads are rolling in the street My people get killed Their blood is spilled And I can’t do much more Than pray for our enemies’ defeat. chorus But you’d grant your enemies their victory If you just quit and pack it in To stop your singing, writing, and playing Isn’t just defeat, it’s a sin Don’t let them have their victory Don’t just give up or give in Stand up strong and sing your song You can’t let the bastards win You can’t let the bastards win … How can I write about my soul in exile life While mothers and babies are murdered How can I escape this stress and strife My resolve is undermined further The innocents slaughtered Their blood flows like water And I can’t be much more Than a frustrated observer. repeat chorus How can I play upbeat music While everything is on the way down How can I excuse it When wailing is the prevailing sound My people bury their dead They travel the roads with dread And I can’t do much more Than watching my nation go to ground. repeat chorus That's right, people. Keep doing what you're doing. Do what you're good at. Use your talents to make the world a better place, in whatever capacity you can. Perform random and deliberate acts of charity and kindness. Do not let fear and terror dominate your lives. Every such act is a blow to all the agents of the cult of death who seek to impose their evil will on us.
Dear ______, As much as i enjoyed reading your article that you e-mailed me, i must say that i would like to disagree with some of your points. Not only do the terrorists mean to " disrupt of our social, political, and economic ways of life," but they mean to destroy our spiritual way of life too. It says in the Torah that " Esav soneh et yaakov." This is a CLEAR example of what we see today with our Muslim neighbors. Why did esav HATE yaakov? Because he had a better way of life? No, esav was a hunter- he had plenty of food and wealth.He was a "player," he had women, money, excitement- everything that social and economic benefits give us today. So, then, what was the reason that Esav despised yaakov to the point of where he wished to KILL him? It was because Yitzchak blessed yaakov not only with physical things, but with the power of spirituality, morality, and connection to G-d. So nowadays, when we bring "esav soneh et yaakov" to modern terms ( aka us and the arabs), it means much more than monetary and tangible items. It is more than our social way of life. It is more than our political way of life, and it is definately more than our economic way of life. There are many proofs: one, Israeli government has endowed the misgein palestinians with PLENTY of arms and monetary helps. We have given them job opprotunities that their own BROTHERS wouldnt give to them! And even more painful, but true- we have even given up LAND that is rightfully OURS to them. However, it seems that the physical things ( our money, armaments, jobs, and land)is not what theyre after. They're after what yaakov has, and what esav has genetically endowed that they wouldn't: our spirituality. I only give you this background because my point of disagreement to your article is this: while it must be devastating to be sitting in Chu"l and watch this happen... it is even more devastating having this happen without YOU here. As much as we " can't let the bastards win" by letting them get under our creative skins( to stop our everyday life)- that is not what they're strictly after. ______, they want to obliterate us, and the only way that Hashem will hear our prayers is not if we sit in America and write songs about our pain! We have to get on the bandwagon and SHOW Him that we ARE deserving of His salvation, and that even more so: that we need it. Esav's nations are after our spirituality for a reason- because they know its the truth! They know that Hashem will bring us out of exile one day, and on that day " Hashem Elokeinu, Hashem Echad!" They know that to have that though, we need to show our true strength. So their goal isnt to make us scared about driving to the Netanya Beach, because we fear Ketyushas will fall out of the sky and obliterate us. Their goal is to make people's neshamot so scared that they turn from G-d's face, and hide. Many people after the Hitnatkut of Gush Katif felt this way- and in that respect, the Arabs won. Many people doubted their own country and government( wouldnt you if your fellow Jew was as cold-hearted as an icicle an evicted you out of YOUR house?) They felt a loss of connection to G-d, they felt estranged and alone. And the arabs won! To beat the bastards at their own game we need to show them what they're scared of: our spirituality and connection to Hashem! We need to flex our spiritual muscles and make them run away with their tails between their legs, and the only way of doing it is by BEING IN ISRAEL. To show them that not only are we making an economic, social, and political sacrifice- we are polishing our spirituality too. And on that day, the day we unite in Israel to show the arabs, the world, HASHEM that we believe, that is the day that Hashem will lift us forevermore out of this mess. I dont know if you read my second blog on blogger.com, but i was saying that "there will always be another time." Its in the human psyche to push things off, things that in reality we are scared to face up to. In simple terms: procrastination. There will always be another reason why NOT to move here, hey afterall its not as comfy-cozy here. The economy is in a flux, the politics are nearing barbaric, and the social life can be intimidating with the extremely large mix of international cultures. It starts out, " i will move to Israel when i have more money" ( an infamous excuse) but there is never an end to MORE money, because just like there is an infinate amount of numbers, there are an infinate number of ways you can get more money! Or it will turn into," I'll wait 'til after school" but after school turns into finding a job with your accredidations, and finding a job turns into buying a house, and buying a house turns into making it a home, and that turns into another "turns into," until youre 119 and theyre singing you happy birthday to you ( have a nice day!), and youre thinking " wow my life was great! Though i feel like im missing something. OH YEAH! Moving to Israel...whooops, kinda missed THAT boat!" I believe that in order to ensure that those bastards lose, we need to get our act together and show them why they should. We have the power to go both ways- to cringe and hide at the sound of their spiritual threat, or strenthen and unite and establish Israel to be our true home. Israel is always, ALWAYS, calling...you just need to open your ears. much love, Bracha
Let's face it – things are tough. There's a major war going on in which friends and family members are involved. People are getting killed and maimed. Being on the other side of the world from these earth-shattering events, I'm at the mercy of the various pundits and media outlets that, as we all know, put their none too positive spin on things. Terrorist entities are turned into charitable organizations and legitimate political parties, and we here in the free world – for that's where we are, even in this post–Cold War era – are told that there's no way that we can win against them. (If these pundits and journalists had been the norm during the Second World War, the commonly accepted greeting by the end of the war would probably have been an outstretched arm, palm down – and I would probably not be here to write this.) On top of this, there are constant plots to attack us, as events such as those in the United Kingdom yesterday continue to prove. Fortunately, the plot was foiled, but the result was still diverted flights and cancelled or rescheduled travel plans – though ironically, yesterday was probably the safest day to fly in the US, with all the heightened security measures in place. The expression "You're letting the terrorists win" has become something of a cliché, even a joke, in the US since 9-11. But after living in Israel, and seeing how the people there manage despite all the efforts to attack and eradicate them, it's a forgone conclusion that the expression is true. The terrorists seek to create mega-spectacles of death and destruction; forget any political goals, it all too often seems like they're after death and destruction for their own sake. But they want to cause so much more than killing and destroying. They also aim to disrupt of our social, political, and economic ways of life, using these spectacles as devices to instill fear and trepidation – hence the terms "terror" and "terrorism." On the personal front, I am torn between keeping abreast of every development in the Middle East and just shutting it out. On the one hand, my family is in Israel. My parents, my daughter, my siblings, my extended family, and indeed – the whole Jewish nation, to which I belong. Everything that happens there affects me here, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. On the other hand, that effect is precisely what makes me want to shut it out. What is the point of going on about my business – my creative life, involving music, writing, photography, whatever else – when there are people fighting and dying? (I'm not in the position to do what would seem obvious to some – to drop everything and go to Israel and volunteer in some way. Believe me, the thought has occurred to me. But like many caring people making a living, it just isn't feasible right now.) Then I came to the conclusion: If I stop doing these things, the very things that keep me going, then the terrorists would have won. They'd have won their immoral victory against me by disrupting my way of life. And they'd have accomplished that without firing as much as a single bullet in my direction (though I'm sure they'd love to do that, given the chance). A number of years ago, during the suicide-homicide terror bombing campaign called the "intifada," I pondered exactly these same issues. From one side came the psychological effects of the terror war, sent via media from Israel to my abode on the Jersey Shore. From the other side, my conscience was nagging at me – how can I just go on doing 'my thing' when other 'things' are as desperate as they are? And in classic singer-songwriterly fashion, I resolved the dilemma with some lyrics. How can I go on singing love songs When things are much more bitter than sweet How can I keep rocking and rolling along While heads are rolling in the street My people get killed Their blood is spilled And I can’t do much more Than pray for our enemies’ defeat. chorus But you’d grant your enemies their victory If you just quit and pack it in To stop your singing, writing, and playing Isn’t just defeat, it’s a sin Don’t let them have their victory Don’t just give up or give in Stand up strong and sing your song You can’t let the bastards win You can’t let the bastards win … How can I write about my soul in exile life While mothers and babies are murdered How can I escape this stress and strife My resolve is undermined further The innocents slaughtered Their blood flows like water And I can’t be much more Than a frustrated observer. repeat chorus How can I play upbeat music While everything is on the way down How can I excuse it When wailing is the prevailing sound My people bury their dead They travel the roads with dread And I can’t do much more Than watching my nation go to ground. repeat chorus That's right, people. Keep doing what you're doing. Do what you're good at. Use your talents to make the world a better place, in whatever capacity you can. Perform random and deliberate acts of charity and kindness. Do not let fear and terror dominate your lives. Every such act is a blow to all the agents of the cult of death who seek to impose their evil will on us.
Dear ______, As much as i enjoyed reading your article that you e-mailed me, i must say that i would like to disagree with some of your points. Not only do the terrorists mean to " disrupt of our social, political, and economic ways of life," but they mean to destroy our spiritual way of life too. It says in the Torah that " Esav soneh et yaakov." This is a CLEAR example of what we see today with our Muslim neighbors. Why did esav HATE yaakov? Because he had a better way of life? No, esav was a hunter- he had plenty of food and wealth.He was a "player," he had women, money, excitement- everything that social and economic benefits give us today. So, then, what was the reason that Esav despised yaakov to the point of where he wished to KILL him? It was because Yitzchak blessed yaakov not only with physical things, but with the power of spirituality, morality, and connection to G-d. So nowadays, when we bring "esav soneh et yaakov" to modern terms ( aka us and the arabs), it means much more than monetary and tangible items. It is more than our social way of life. It is more than our political way of life, and it is definately more than our economic way of life. There are many proofs: one, Israeli government has endowed the misgein palestinians with PLENTY of arms and monetary helps. We have given them job opprotunities that their own BROTHERS wouldnt give to them! And even more painful, but true- we have even given up LAND that is rightfully OURS to them. However, it seems that the physical things ( our money, armaments, jobs, and land)is not what theyre after. They're after what yaakov has, and what esav has genetically endowed that they wouldn't: our spirituality. I only give you this background because my point of disagreement to your article is this: while it must be devastating to be sitting in Chu"l and watch this happen... it is even more devastating having this happen without YOU here. As much as we " can't let the bastards win" by letting them get under our creative skins( to stop our everyday life)- that is not what they're strictly after. ______, they want to obliterate us, and the only way that Hashem will hear our prayers is not if we sit in America and write songs about our pain! We have to get on the bandwagon and SHOW Him that we ARE deserving of His salvation, and that even more so: that we need it. Esav's nations are after our spirituality for a reason- because they know its the truth! They know that Hashem will bring us out of exile one day, and on that day " Hashem Elokeinu, Hashem Echad!" They know that to have that though, we need to show our true strength. So their goal isnt to make us scared about driving to the Netanya Beach, because we fear Ketyushas will fall out of the sky and obliterate us. Their goal is to make people's neshamot so scared that they turn from G-d's face, and hide. Many people after the Hitnatkut of Gush Katif felt this way- and in that respect, the Arabs won. Many people doubted their own country and government( wouldnt you if your fellow Jew was as cold-hearted as an icicle an evicted you out of YOUR house?) They felt a loss of connection to G-d, they felt estranged and alone. And the arabs won! To beat the bastards at their own game we need to show them what they're scared of: our spirituality and connection to Hashem! We need to flex our spiritual muscles and make them run away with their tails between their legs, and the only way of doing it is by BEING IN ISRAEL. To show them that not only are we making an economic, social, and political sacrifice- we are polishing our spirituality too. And on that day, the day we unite in Israel to show the arabs, the world, HASHEM that we believe, that is the day that Hashem will lift us forevermore out of this mess. I dont know if you read my second blog on blogger.com, but i was saying that "there will always be another time." Its in the human psyche to push things off, things that in reality we are scared to face up to. In simple terms: procrastination. There will always be another reason why NOT to move here, hey afterall its not as comfy-cozy here. The economy is in a flux, the politics are nearing barbaric, and the social life can be intimidating with the extremely large mix of international cultures. It starts out, " i will move to Israel when i have more money" ( an infamous excuse) but there is never an end to MORE money, because just like there is an infinate amount of numbers, there are an infinate number of ways you can get more money! Or it will turn into," I'll wait 'til after school" but after school turns into finding a job with your accredidations, and finding a job turns into buying a house, and buying a house turns into making it a home, and that turns into another "turns into," until youre 119 and theyre singing you happy birthday to you ( have a nice day!), and youre thinking " wow my life was great! Though i feel like im missing something. OH YEAH! Moving to Israel...whooops, kinda missed THAT boat!" I believe that in order to ensure that those bastards lose, we need to get our act together and show them why they should. We have the power to go both ways- to cringe and hide at the sound of their spiritual threat, or strenthen and unite and establish Israel to be our true home. Israel is always, ALWAYS, calling...you just need to open your ears. much love, Bracha
Life & Bicycles
11 Reasons Why Life is like riding a bicycle:
1. You need balance: if you lean too far to one side or the other, you'll fall off!
The Rambam writes (Hilchos De'os 1:4), regarding "all Midos," that a person should follow the golden "path of the middle" and not lean towards one extreme or the other.
Therefore in life, or while riding a bike, it is important that one always pays attention to where he is leaning!
2. You fall off, but in order to progress- you need to get back up!
There is a song that came out when i was in 3rd grade by Chumbawumba with lyrics like so, " i get knocked down, but i get up again, you're never gonna keep me down."
The point is, its notfalling down that determines your worth- its if you get back up or not.
3. In the beginning you stumble and fall, but with more experience you can really get far!
In life we start out completely oblivious, and therefore we fall. We don't know how to use our intelligence and logic. However, as each one of us gets more experience we can use our knowledge and really make something wonderful out of ourselves!
4. If you look at the ground while you ride, instead of up ahead- you will lose your balance and crash.
In life, if we shuffle our feet and consume ourselves in our own little bubble- we not only damage our connection with the world... we damage the connection to ourself. We need to look up, to see whats around us, to connect to our environment, and then we can flourish.
5. It's innate.
Both riding a bicycle and living life comes to us in the same way- it's innate. It seems like every person on earth learns to/ or has the ability to learn to ride a bike.
In life, no one goes around not knowing how to live. Each person has their own personal theory, but the general idea is that we all get it.
6. when it throws you a curve, go with it!
When you ride a bike, and a turn is coming up- you lean with the curve. You dont fight it and go the other way.
Life sometimes throws you curves too, but in order to remain on top you need to go with them. If a tragedy happens, accept its pain, but go with G-d's larger plan for ultimate good!
7.It helps you get to where you need to go.
Some people believe that life is a joy ride, and that they're on it for the good ole jollies. Some people ride bikes around and around because they just feel like it. both people dont realize they have places to get to.
But in truth both life, and bicycles, are meant to bring you to the places you need to get to, and if you use them correctly you can really get far!
8. it doesn't move on its own.
Life and bicycles need people to operate them. Without a person behind the handlebar it just won't go anywhere!
9. when you get really good, you can do wheelies!
After you've been riding a bike for so long, you can start doing the special stuff.
Life is like that also, once you get the hang of who you are and where its taking you- you can pop some big miracles too!
10. It gives you muscles.
Life toughens you up like riding a bike does. Especially if you ride up hills.
The thing about riding hills on bikes is this: although going down is thrilling and exciting, riding back up, although hard, is what brings you the muscles.
the "free rides" in life are fun and enjoyable, but when it comes to building character its those big hills that do the job!
11.You can't do it forever.
Some people wish they could live forever. Some people believe it.
But just like riding a bike, your body wears out after a while, and you need to go home.
The important thing is that you enjoy the ride, and you get to where you need to go!
~ This is dedicated to my cousin who I taught to ride a bike last night.
יום שישי, אוגוסט 11, 2006
Just One Shabbos and we'll All be Free!
Most people, after continuous exposure to one certain thing, tire of it and find it mundane.
I have been in Israel for over half-a-year, and not once have I tired from an Israeli Shabbat.
Let me narrirate to you something specail and beautiful:
Shabbat, in fact, starts early friday morning- meaning that from the moment you arise on friday, the very air is different. Shabbat is coming. You wake up and thing, " what's different? Oh yeah! Its almost shabbat." To most people "almost" refers relatively close-to in hours, but even though you have an entire day to ready yourself for it, its still " almost shabbat."
You get out of bed, and begin to ready yourself. ( organized people insert your daily morning routine here before the days preperations and activities). You make your bed, sweep the floors, do sponga ( israeli version of mopping- and super fun, too!), clean the bathroom, and any other menial cleaning task you can think of. *pause* Some of you may think, " hey wait a minute, this is how getting ready for Shabbat feels like in any other place in the world... ha! its not different in Israel"... but oh contraire! *un-pause* You take a walk outside to empty the trash, or beat your rugs, or sweep your portch, and you take a deep sniff. " Ahhhh, Shabbat...." you can smell it in the air!! (Even if your standing relatively close to the trash can ;p). You go back inside and continue the normally mundane, yet on this day, even wrapping things in tin-foil seems holy. You know that each thing you are doing is for Shabbat, not only a Shabbat, a Shabbat in Israel!
Cooking is especially delightful as the tastes of delicious home-cooked Shabbat foods waft through the air. Through Israeli air. You turn on the radio to break the silence ( or lack of, if your vacuum is going, or your kids are running around cleaning), and not only do the soundwaves of jewish music pulse your environment, but announcements on when the Shabbat is commencing, and what hours to light the candles at ( not something you generally get in America, we'll unless you live in N.Y. or something. But even then, I bet the announcement is'nt in Hebrew!)
Time speeds along, and before you know it your fulfilling the mitzvah of lighting Shabbat candles. Now most teenage girls here ( unlike in chutz la'aretz) attend friday night serivces at their respective shuls, ( and obviously boys,too). If you are part of a youth group, sometimes your sneif ( the branch, or clubhouse for your youthgroup) will have a friday night davening together. As you walk back from shul, you look around at the view and take a deep sigh, " siiiiiiigh, its finally Shabbat."
The meal is filled with laughter and Torah as the conversations vary from the Torah portion to politics, from happenings during the week to plans for Shabbat. The air is filled with shabbat zemiros, and some more laughter.
Benching on Shabbat is especially meaningful- you read what's written abotu the land, and thanking G-d for His eternal giving, and His production of mircales from the Land, and how He has always been with us, and always will be- with us here, in Israel. You know, i sadly admit, that benching never gained meanning until I moved here and actually felt the connection between what i was saying, and where I was intended to say it.
I go to B'nei Akiva, a youth group, and we have a sneif here in the neighborhood, so every friday night i go to an activity at the sneif at around a quarter to 11. Its usually about some controverial topic, and afterwards I get to see all my friends that I may not have seen in a while.
At around 1 in the morning I return home, feeling completely safe. It's Shabbat, and you can feel it in the air. I can walk in the street ( because my neighborhood is religious) because no cars are driving around. Its so peaceful. You can feel the Shabbos Queen has really settled on the Land.
Saturday comes, and most shuls begin at 8 o'clock. ( my shul in Dallas began at 9, so its a little bit of an adjustment to be able to get there on time). I usually try to go to shul at the beginning with my father, and wait until my friends and family join me. The exciting part is when the person comes to say a d'var Torah- in the language of the Torah! It took a while to actually understand what they were saying, but now that I do, i enjoy it tremendously!
Lunch, rests, seudat shlishit, learning, being with friends... saturday commences like a dream.
When it comes to havdalah you feel so sad because it feels like something tangible is being taken away from you, to be hidden until the next week. You end shabbat with the feeling like you have to build up, and earn the next Shabbat in order for it to come.
Now I understand the song " just one shabbat and we'll all be free." If we could all celebrate a true shabbat, a shabbat in Israel, observing all of It's mitzvot, it would set our souls free! We would be so elevated and on-high that Moshiach would have nothing to do but come!
well, off to do some more of that Shabbat prep.!
just thought I'd give all y'all a taste of what I'm eating- delicious Shabbatot in Israel!
Shabbat Shalom!
I have been in Israel for over half-a-year, and not once have I tired from an Israeli Shabbat.
Let me narrirate to you something specail and beautiful:
Shabbat, in fact, starts early friday morning- meaning that from the moment you arise on friday, the very air is different. Shabbat is coming. You wake up and thing, " what's different? Oh yeah! Its almost shabbat." To most people "almost" refers relatively close-to in hours, but even though you have an entire day to ready yourself for it, its still " almost shabbat."
You get out of bed, and begin to ready yourself. ( organized people insert your daily morning routine here before the days preperations and activities). You make your bed, sweep the floors, do sponga ( israeli version of mopping- and super fun, too!), clean the bathroom, and any other menial cleaning task you can think of. *pause* Some of you may think, " hey wait a minute, this is how getting ready for Shabbat feels like in any other place in the world... ha! its not different in Israel"... but oh contraire! *un-pause* You take a walk outside to empty the trash, or beat your rugs, or sweep your portch, and you take a deep sniff. " Ahhhh, Shabbat...." you can smell it in the air!! (Even if your standing relatively close to the trash can ;p). You go back inside and continue the normally mundane, yet on this day, even wrapping things in tin-foil seems holy. You know that each thing you are doing is for Shabbat, not only a Shabbat, a Shabbat in Israel!
Cooking is especially delightful as the tastes of delicious home-cooked Shabbat foods waft through the air. Through Israeli air. You turn on the radio to break the silence ( or lack of, if your vacuum is going, or your kids are running around cleaning), and not only do the soundwaves of jewish music pulse your environment, but announcements on when the Shabbat is commencing, and what hours to light the candles at ( not something you generally get in America, we'll unless you live in N.Y. or something. But even then, I bet the announcement is'nt in Hebrew!)
Time speeds along, and before you know it your fulfilling the mitzvah of lighting Shabbat candles. Now most teenage girls here ( unlike in chutz la'aretz) attend friday night serivces at their respective shuls, ( and obviously boys,too). If you are part of a youth group, sometimes your sneif ( the branch, or clubhouse for your youthgroup) will have a friday night davening together. As you walk back from shul, you look around at the view and take a deep sigh, " siiiiiiigh, its finally Shabbat."
The meal is filled with laughter and Torah as the conversations vary from the Torah portion to politics, from happenings during the week to plans for Shabbat. The air is filled with shabbat zemiros, and some more laughter.
Benching on Shabbat is especially meaningful- you read what's written abotu the land, and thanking G-d for His eternal giving, and His production of mircales from the Land, and how He has always been with us, and always will be- with us here, in Israel. You know, i sadly admit, that benching never gained meanning until I moved here and actually felt the connection between what i was saying, and where I was intended to say it.
I go to B'nei Akiva, a youth group, and we have a sneif here in the neighborhood, so every friday night i go to an activity at the sneif at around a quarter to 11. Its usually about some controverial topic, and afterwards I get to see all my friends that I may not have seen in a while.
At around 1 in the morning I return home, feeling completely safe. It's Shabbat, and you can feel it in the air. I can walk in the street ( because my neighborhood is religious) because no cars are driving around. Its so peaceful. You can feel the Shabbos Queen has really settled on the Land.
Saturday comes, and most shuls begin at 8 o'clock. ( my shul in Dallas began at 9, so its a little bit of an adjustment to be able to get there on time). I usually try to go to shul at the beginning with my father, and wait until my friends and family join me. The exciting part is when the person comes to say a d'var Torah- in the language of the Torah! It took a while to actually understand what they were saying, but now that I do, i enjoy it tremendously!
Lunch, rests, seudat shlishit, learning, being with friends... saturday commences like a dream.
When it comes to havdalah you feel so sad because it feels like something tangible is being taken away from you, to be hidden until the next week. You end shabbat with the feeling like you have to build up, and earn the next Shabbat in order for it to come.
Now I understand the song " just one shabbat and we'll all be free." If we could all celebrate a true shabbat, a shabbat in Israel, observing all of It's mitzvot, it would set our souls free! We would be so elevated and on-high that Moshiach would have nothing to do but come!
well, off to do some more of that Shabbat prep.!
just thought I'd give all y'all a taste of what I'm eating- delicious Shabbatot in Israel!
Shabbat Shalom!
יום רביעי, אוגוסט 09, 2006
Uniting in the Face of the Enemy
Sometimes insights come to you when you least expect them.
We have a ritual that before bed my mother "tucks me in." Last night it got to more than just a tuck in- it began with: "You know, its kind of disturbing reading the news nowadays."
"Why?" ( I obviously KNOW why, I'm just inquiring her point of view on the matter...It was a turn slightly unexpected...)
"Well, its frustrating to see that even though in every day life the "Palestinians" of Gaza hate the hit men of Hezbollah, and if they would under any other circumstance, meet in the street, they'd at least spit some nasty words at each other, and at most get into a blood feud, or whatever it is that Arabs do to pre-occupy their time. But when it comes to the Jews, when it comes to the idea of obliterating the nation that so called" occupies" THEIR land- they unite.
And it's not a mere unity, a collective " I agree," it's a " lets donate the children of Gaza to help Hezbollah blow up something to hurt the Jews." It's a unity that crosses all Arab family blood feuds, its a unity that binds them. "
In the month of Av, Jews commemorate the devastating destruction of the worlds holiest piece of architecture- the Beit HaMikdash. It is widely known that one of the reasons why the Beit HaMikdash was destroyed was because of Sinat Chinam- or baseless hatred. The infamous story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza is just a beginning look at a period where each Jew's heart was turned against their brother's. When a person looks out for themselves, numero uno , and is oblivious not only to the needs of others, but to their desires and feelings, the world gets very warped.
THE ONLY WAY WE WE CAN GET BACK TO OUR APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF SPIRITUALITY, THE ONLY WAY G-D WILL RESIDE AMONGST US AGAIN IS IF WE OBLITERATE SINAT CHINAM.
Hashem resides in Israel when Israel can be a home to all Jews- together. HaRav Kook speaks about this topic. He says that when a person wishes to repent, they not only must avoid doing the sin at all costs, but they must go beyond that and use what they defiled and make it holy. Iimagine drowning: if you are at the BOTTOM of a pool- you do not want the lifeguard to just leave you at the surface of the pool where you could drown again- you want him to get you OUT of the pool! Same thing with repentance, or Teshuvah: when one wishes to repent they need to go beyond just "not doing it again," they need to do the polar opposite in order to regain a healthy balance.
In OUR case, we need to not only obliterate Sinat Chinam- we need to incorporate Ahavat Chinam into every second of our lives.
I bet you heard of " my enemy's enemy is my friend." That is one very universal way to create and maintain a friendship- as we see with the Arabs. But a friendship based on something other than genuine love will fall apart sooner than later.
The real way to sustain a human relationship, whether its a male-female, friendship, mother-daughter, anything relationship, is through Ahavat Chinam: through loving a person just because they're a person, a Jew, a brother. My mother, my pearl of wisdom, always says, " It's easy to find faults in a person- because we all have them. It shows TRUE personal strength and greatness when you can find good in a person."
Ahavat Chinam is the way to bring us back to G-d. Like a father, He detests when His children hate one another. He cannot pay complete attention to them because their arguments are so diverting. Ahavat Chinam is like the glue that holds a broken cup together. You cant expect to drink from a cup that has broken if you only reassemble the pieces to how they used to look- you have to glue them back together in order to actually use it. Only then can we drink from the cup- only then can it be filled.
There is a Jewish saying that says " Ein cli l'bracha elah shalom," which translated means
"there is no vessel for blessing except peace." How can you appreciate all the blessings you have if there is turmoil that disrupts your perception of it? How can you appreciate life if there is war and baseless hatred? It hurts to be hated, but it is even more detremental to hate. To be hated is to be in a state where you see the enemy outside of you, to change yourself as best as you can, and the rest is up to the other. But to hate is to fight the enemy inside you. Your Yetzer hara- or evil inclination ( you know in cartoons it's that little devil sitting on your shoulder) convinces you to close yourself off into oneness. He convinces you that they are eternally wrong, and you are never at fault. He convinces you to push blame on them and deem yourself innocent. He convinces you to hate, and that is the enemy inside: that is the biggest detriment because it keeps you from developing and growing into a loving and open person.
When the Arabs are under pressure and in the face of an enemy- they unite. When we, Hashem's beloved children are under the load of the enemy- we attack each other. We have our Jewish brothers in the army and government evicting our Jewish brothers in Gush Katif. We have left-wing Jews despising Right-wingers. We eat ourselves up- which only makes us weaker. Iit's like cancer in a body that convinces its own cells to devour each other until the point where the body is no longer functional! So, although it is disgusting to have to learn this from the very people who are out to obliterate us, nothing happens stam( for no reason). We need to learn from the Arabs the importance of uniting- the importance of being one, the importance of facing troubles together- that we can learn from our precarious situation. But to make ourselves truly strong, to have Hashem guide us once again, to defeat the Arabs, and all our mortal and spiritual enemies, we can't just unite in the face of danger- we must unite in the face of peace too. We MUST employ Ahavat Chinam, and only this way can we rid ourselves of our enemies once and for all.
With Hashem's help we should soon build the Beit HaMikdash together in unity- B'ezrat Hashem!
peace!
We have a ritual that before bed my mother "tucks me in." Last night it got to more than just a tuck in- it began with: "You know, its kind of disturbing reading the news nowadays."
"Why?" ( I obviously KNOW why, I'm just inquiring her point of view on the matter...It was a turn slightly unexpected...)
"Well, its frustrating to see that even though in every day life the "Palestinians" of Gaza hate the hit men of Hezbollah, and if they would under any other circumstance, meet in the street, they'd at least spit some nasty words at each other, and at most get into a blood feud, or whatever it is that Arabs do to pre-occupy their time. But when it comes to the Jews, when it comes to the idea of obliterating the nation that so called" occupies" THEIR land- they unite.
And it's not a mere unity, a collective " I agree," it's a " lets donate the children of Gaza to help Hezbollah blow up something to hurt the Jews." It's a unity that crosses all Arab family blood feuds, its a unity that binds them. "
In the month of Av, Jews commemorate the devastating destruction of the worlds holiest piece of architecture- the Beit HaMikdash. It is widely known that one of the reasons why the Beit HaMikdash was destroyed was because of Sinat Chinam- or baseless hatred. The infamous story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza is just a beginning look at a period where each Jew's heart was turned against their brother's. When a person looks out for themselves, numero uno , and is oblivious not only to the needs of others, but to their desires and feelings, the world gets very warped.
THE ONLY WAY WE WE CAN GET BACK TO OUR APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF SPIRITUALITY, THE ONLY WAY G-D WILL RESIDE AMONGST US AGAIN IS IF WE OBLITERATE SINAT CHINAM.
Hashem resides in Israel when Israel can be a home to all Jews- together. HaRav Kook speaks about this topic. He says that when a person wishes to repent, they not only must avoid doing the sin at all costs, but they must go beyond that and use what they defiled and make it holy. Iimagine drowning: if you are at the BOTTOM of a pool- you do not want the lifeguard to just leave you at the surface of the pool where you could drown again- you want him to get you OUT of the pool! Same thing with repentance, or Teshuvah: when one wishes to repent they need to go beyond just "not doing it again," they need to do the polar opposite in order to regain a healthy balance.
In OUR case, we need to not only obliterate Sinat Chinam- we need to incorporate Ahavat Chinam into every second of our lives.
I bet you heard of " my enemy's enemy is my friend." That is one very universal way to create and maintain a friendship- as we see with the Arabs. But a friendship based on something other than genuine love will fall apart sooner than later.
The real way to sustain a human relationship, whether its a male-female, friendship, mother-daughter, anything relationship, is through Ahavat Chinam: through loving a person just because they're a person, a Jew, a brother. My mother, my pearl of wisdom, always says, " It's easy to find faults in a person- because we all have them. It shows TRUE personal strength and greatness when you can find good in a person."
Ahavat Chinam is the way to bring us back to G-d. Like a father, He detests when His children hate one another. He cannot pay complete attention to them because their arguments are so diverting. Ahavat Chinam is like the glue that holds a broken cup together. You cant expect to drink from a cup that has broken if you only reassemble the pieces to how they used to look- you have to glue them back together in order to actually use it. Only then can we drink from the cup- only then can it be filled.
There is a Jewish saying that says " Ein cli l'bracha elah shalom," which translated means
"there is no vessel for blessing except peace." How can you appreciate all the blessings you have if there is turmoil that disrupts your perception of it? How can you appreciate life if there is war and baseless hatred? It hurts to be hated, but it is even more detremental to hate. To be hated is to be in a state where you see the enemy outside of you, to change yourself as best as you can, and the rest is up to the other. But to hate is to fight the enemy inside you. Your Yetzer hara- or evil inclination ( you know in cartoons it's that little devil sitting on your shoulder) convinces you to close yourself off into oneness. He convinces you that they are eternally wrong, and you are never at fault. He convinces you to push blame on them and deem yourself innocent. He convinces you to hate, and that is the enemy inside: that is the biggest detriment because it keeps you from developing and growing into a loving and open person.
When the Arabs are under pressure and in the face of an enemy- they unite. When we, Hashem's beloved children are under the load of the enemy- we attack each other. We have our Jewish brothers in the army and government evicting our Jewish brothers in Gush Katif. We have left-wing Jews despising Right-wingers. We eat ourselves up- which only makes us weaker. Iit's like cancer in a body that convinces its own cells to devour each other until the point where the body is no longer functional! So, although it is disgusting to have to learn this from the very people who are out to obliterate us, nothing happens stam( for no reason). We need to learn from the Arabs the importance of uniting- the importance of being one, the importance of facing troubles together- that we can learn from our precarious situation. But to make ourselves truly strong, to have Hashem guide us once again, to defeat the Arabs, and all our mortal and spiritual enemies, we can't just unite in the face of danger- we must unite in the face of peace too. We MUST employ Ahavat Chinam, and only this way can we rid ourselves of our enemies once and for all.
With Hashem's help we should soon build the Beit HaMikdash together in unity- B'ezrat Hashem!
peace!
יום רביעי, אוגוסט 02, 2006
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!
guys this is one of the most sincere gestures i have ever recieved in bulk mail.
sponsored by the HAS Advantage Campaign and Elite chocolate, they ae sending a chocolate to each soilder...along with a personalized card... that YOU write! Think of the air-combat soilder, or tank operater that will be handed a chocolate and a card from YOU. Think of their smile! YOU can brighten up an IDF soldier's day no matter how far away you are from Israel.
Please spend 1 minute of your time and visit the site!
http://www.websense-media.co.il/has_200706/default.asp?gid=has_man
sponsored by the HAS Advantage Campaign and Elite chocolate, they ae sending a chocolate to each soilder...along with a personalized card... that YOU write! Think of the air-combat soilder, or tank operater that will be handed a chocolate and a card from YOU. Think of their smile! YOU can brighten up an IDF soldier's day no matter how far away you are from Israel.
Please spend 1 minute of your time and visit the site!
http://www.websense-media.co.il/has_200706/default.asp?gid=has_man
יום שלישי, אוגוסט 01, 2006
For Johanna
Okay, so for my second blog... ( this is more fun than i thought it would be), i want to dedicate to my best friend Johanna Corcos who is unfortunately stuck out there in my home town, Dallas,Tx.
For all y'all israelis who are reading this, imagine the pain of it: a girl who wants to come so badly to israel, and had her plans hung up becasue of the war up north. Now, i am going to say, that even if she wasnt one of my best friends, my heart would still pour out for her pain. Think about it! How many people out there arent even considering, or even worse- abhor the idea of moving here to our homeland? Now that we have one more that WANTS to come, is even dying to come, her plans get held up because Hizbullah decides to show some of their true colors( a.k.a, they don't love us and could really care less about peace, although they'd love to have their poor Palestinian brothers scoop up another slice of our land) and bomb our northern, and now even southern borders!
I'll share an insight with y'all that i didnt have until i came to israel, my home. Living in America was always just a land. Yes i know every word to " Oh Say Can You See," and yes, i did celebrate 4th of July each year...but it was never home. Until i came here, i never learnt what it meant to have a land. To be a part of a place that you KNOW is destined for you, and no matter how hard the times are, you wouldnt leave it because its YOURS. In America i always knew in my heart that i wanted to live in in israel- the catch? I didnt know how much Israel wanted me.
In Hebrew, native Israelis are knowns as "tz'aabarim" or "Sabras." Like the fruit, many seem to have a hard prickly outside, but on the inside they are just as sweet as ever. Another secret that lies int he core of our Sabras- they want all the Jewish population to move back home! Yes they do " laredet al anashim," or make fun of people, but you will not find another nation that makes fun of themselves as much , or more, as they do others. People in CHU"L ( Chutz la'aretz, or outside of israel), most specifically people from North America are often either offended orintimidated by a Sabra's prickly and hard external covering. They say that Sabra's mennerisims are so different than those of " us north Americans," that it would make it impossible to live with them. Yet they do not know the sweetness that lies within! Each and every Tzaabar wants their Jewish brothers to make Aliyah and Join them in the promise land. Some hide it better than others. Yet there are throngs of people who i have met here ( including my Aunt and her family who have lived here for 20+ years)tell me countless times how they are dying for all our bretheren to just come on over already!
This is the part i didnt know, and had i known their desperation for their "extended family" to make aliyah, i would have toddeled outta my carseat and signed all the aliya forms at age two!( or better yet, force my mom through telepathy to have me be born IN israel- i could be mean, like force her to eat a lot or green beans until she would get the point... ;p).
Y'all... we need you here!! Nobody is going to carry you here. You know those "wings of an eagle?" those are called airplanes!Hashem never wants us to wait around for Him to just perform miracles for us. Would we have acted by the Red Sea as we( people in CHU"L)do in regards to getting ourselves over here... we all would've be killed in a flash by the Egyptian soldiers that were on our heels! Nachshon Ben Aminadav ( i want to name my kid Aminadav, so he can name his kid nachshon, so when they call him up to the torah hell be nachshon ben aminadav!! how COOL would that be? poweful name, huh? hmm, maybe i should copywrite it...;p...haha, just some random facts, slightly connected. anyways nachson ben aminadav..)charged the waters of the red sea until they were up to his NOSTRILS. NOSTRILS PEOPLE, NOSTRILS!!! G-d wants our initiative...how is He supposed to know that we want salvation if were not acting!
There will always be more money you can get befor eyou make aliyah, there will ALWAYS be another reason why THIS YEAR cant work because ( fill in the blank)job/school/kids/money/inexperience/intimidation/other.... fill in the blank. Just look at me. had i acted like what most CHU"L people consider " only normal,' i wouldnt have come to israel in 11th grade, let alone in the middle of the YEAR of 11th grade! I woldve opted out of doing the bagruyot and just take the easy route and do the S.A.T.S, I would've refused to leave my precious family( the people i love most in the world) for 6 months, i wouldve said that i would just come after high school. And after high school would turn into after im married, after ive had my first, second, actually after ive had all my kids, which would turn into after all my kids are in school, which would turn into after all my kids are OUT of school, which turns into a whole BUNCH of things, until im 119, turning 120 and i realize " hold up, arent i missing something? OH YEAH! A COUNTRY! Ooops"
Thats how it always works, trust me my family has personal experience( anyone who knows me personally can attest to our life long attempt at aliyah...)..but that story will be saved for the next blog.
For all y'all who skipped down to the bottom of this blog to see how long it could possibly be, and wondering how this girl can write SO much... the main idea that y'all should take from here is: WE NEED Y'ALL HOME!( There, i saved those of y'all who are lazylots of reading...but if you actually want to be thuroughly convinced...i'd suggest READING MY WORDS...)
I'll write back soon! but until then
Shalom, L'hitraot
:D
For all y'all israelis who are reading this, imagine the pain of it: a girl who wants to come so badly to israel, and had her plans hung up becasue of the war up north. Now, i am going to say, that even if she wasnt one of my best friends, my heart would still pour out for her pain. Think about it! How many people out there arent even considering, or even worse- abhor the idea of moving here to our homeland? Now that we have one more that WANTS to come, is even dying to come, her plans get held up because Hizbullah decides to show some of their true colors( a.k.a, they don't love us and could really care less about peace, although they'd love to have their poor Palestinian brothers scoop up another slice of our land) and bomb our northern, and now even southern borders!
I'll share an insight with y'all that i didnt have until i came to israel, my home. Living in America was always just a land. Yes i know every word to " Oh Say Can You See," and yes, i did celebrate 4th of July each year...but it was never home. Until i came here, i never learnt what it meant to have a land. To be a part of a place that you KNOW is destined for you, and no matter how hard the times are, you wouldnt leave it because its YOURS. In America i always knew in my heart that i wanted to live in in israel- the catch? I didnt know how much Israel wanted me.
In Hebrew, native Israelis are knowns as "tz'aabarim" or "Sabras." Like the fruit, many seem to have a hard prickly outside, but on the inside they are just as sweet as ever. Another secret that lies int he core of our Sabras- they want all the Jewish population to move back home! Yes they do " laredet al anashim," or make fun of people, but you will not find another nation that makes fun of themselves as much , or more, as they do others. People in CHU"L ( Chutz la'aretz, or outside of israel), most specifically people from North America are often either offended orintimidated by a Sabra's prickly and hard external covering. They say that Sabra's mennerisims are so different than those of " us north Americans," that it would make it impossible to live with them. Yet they do not know the sweetness that lies within! Each and every Tzaabar wants their Jewish brothers to make Aliyah and Join them in the promise land. Some hide it better than others. Yet there are throngs of people who i have met here ( including my Aunt and her family who have lived here for 20+ years)tell me countless times how they are dying for all our bretheren to just come on over already!
This is the part i didnt know, and had i known their desperation for their "extended family" to make aliyah, i would have toddeled outta my carseat and signed all the aliya forms at age two!( or better yet, force my mom through telepathy to have me be born IN israel- i could be mean, like force her to eat a lot or green beans until she would get the point... ;p).
Y'all... we need you here!! Nobody is going to carry you here. You know those "wings of an eagle?" those are called airplanes!Hashem never wants us to wait around for Him to just perform miracles for us. Would we have acted by the Red Sea as we( people in CHU"L)do in regards to getting ourselves over here... we all would've be killed in a flash by the Egyptian soldiers that were on our heels! Nachshon Ben Aminadav ( i want to name my kid Aminadav, so he can name his kid nachshon, so when they call him up to the torah hell be nachshon ben aminadav!! how COOL would that be? poweful name, huh? hmm, maybe i should copywrite it...;p...haha, just some random facts, slightly connected. anyways nachson ben aminadav..)charged the waters of the red sea until they were up to his NOSTRILS. NOSTRILS PEOPLE, NOSTRILS!!! G-d wants our initiative...how is He supposed to know that we want salvation if were not acting!
There will always be more money you can get befor eyou make aliyah, there will ALWAYS be another reason why THIS YEAR cant work because ( fill in the blank)job/school/kids/money/inexperience/intimidation/other.... fill in the blank. Just look at me. had i acted like what most CHU"L people consider " only normal,' i wouldnt have come to israel in 11th grade, let alone in the middle of the YEAR of 11th grade! I woldve opted out of doing the bagruyot and just take the easy route and do the S.A.T.S, I would've refused to leave my precious family( the people i love most in the world) for 6 months, i wouldve said that i would just come after high school. And after high school would turn into after im married, after ive had my first, second, actually after ive had all my kids, which would turn into after all my kids are in school, which would turn into after all my kids are OUT of school, which turns into a whole BUNCH of things, until im 119, turning 120 and i realize " hold up, arent i missing something? OH YEAH! A COUNTRY! Ooops"
Thats how it always works, trust me my family has personal experience( anyone who knows me personally can attest to our life long attempt at aliyah...)..but that story will be saved for the next blog.
For all y'all who skipped down to the bottom of this blog to see how long it could possibly be, and wondering how this girl can write SO much... the main idea that y'all should take from here is: WE NEED Y'ALL HOME!( There, i saved those of y'all who are lazylots of reading...but if you actually want to be thuroughly convinced...i'd suggest READING MY WORDS...)
I'll write back soon! but until then
Shalom, L'hitraot
:D
we <3 Israel
My father is the renowned " brother of the ex-American embassador to Israel" and as we speak, he is sitting in our living room, talking to a reporter from the Israeli newspaper "Yerushalayim." This is the 7th interview, no exaggeration, that he has done since my family moved here nearly a month ago.
I can't tell yet if he enjoys it. I know that for since i can remember he and my uncle, Dan Kurtzer, have shared an opposite political view on everything. Israel, where we stand, what land is ours, where we belong, everything- i guess they agree to disagree. My dad is, although in America he was a Republican ( :( ), here, he is right-winged... the place where a religious Jew should stand. We protect our land, and are not willing to give it up in a pinch, like the ones that President Bush and his government gives to Israel under the table.We deserve our land, and it will be ours, when push comes to shove.
I've never held a blog before, so i dunno what all y'all( yes, thats an authentic "y'all," im origionally from Dallas,Tx.) are expecting.
Oooh, goodies! my siblings just came back from their first day at Ulpan-camp( ulpan( pronounced ool-pahn) is an Israeli program that helps immigrants learn Hewbrew)...and the Israeli interviewer just asked me if i can speak hebrew, and i just spoke to her for like a few minutes in fluent hebrew.
My story?
I've been here since january ( a.k.a the middle of my 11th grade year). I plopped myself into the middle of 11th grade, an extremely abnormal decision- if youre a normal human being. Me? Naw, i guess im one of those abnormal ones. I made friends, learnt the language, did the homework, took the Bagruyot( a form of national finals, the types that ALL colleges and higher educational services look at to decide if they want to accept you to their well-bred establishments), and im still alive. I lived with my aunt and 6 cousins for 6 months, and well... in short...i survived that too. I love them to pieces, but oh lordy did i miss my family.
So, for all y'all teens, or people in general around the world: if the problem for you is moving to a new place, moving here is very do-able. well, I'll talk about all the political action and saftey precautions in my next blog... but for now...
Shalom, L'hitraot
:D
I can't tell yet if he enjoys it. I know that for since i can remember he and my uncle, Dan Kurtzer, have shared an opposite political view on everything. Israel, where we stand, what land is ours, where we belong, everything- i guess they agree to disagree. My dad is, although in America he was a Republican ( :( ), here, he is right-winged... the place where a religious Jew should stand. We protect our land, and are not willing to give it up in a pinch, like the ones that President Bush and his government gives to Israel under the table.We deserve our land, and it will be ours, when push comes to shove.
I've never held a blog before, so i dunno what all y'all( yes, thats an authentic "y'all," im origionally from Dallas,Tx.) are expecting.
Oooh, goodies! my siblings just came back from their first day at Ulpan-camp( ulpan( pronounced ool-pahn) is an Israeli program that helps immigrants learn Hewbrew)...and the Israeli interviewer just asked me if i can speak hebrew, and i just spoke to her for like a few minutes in fluent hebrew.
My story?
I've been here since january ( a.k.a the middle of my 11th grade year). I plopped myself into the middle of 11th grade, an extremely abnormal decision- if youre a normal human being. Me? Naw, i guess im one of those abnormal ones. I made friends, learnt the language, did the homework, took the Bagruyot( a form of national finals, the types that ALL colleges and higher educational services look at to decide if they want to accept you to their well-bred establishments), and im still alive. I lived with my aunt and 6 cousins for 6 months, and well... in short...i survived that too. I love them to pieces, but oh lordy did i miss my family.
So, for all y'all teens, or people in general around the world: if the problem for you is moving to a new place, moving here is very do-able. well, I'll talk about all the political action and saftey precautions in my next blog... but for now...
Shalom, L'hitraot
:D
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