pictures of the trip

Here's a picture of me at the tomb of King David. So, I don't look so happy because we just came from the Shoah Museum and it was a very sobering experience. The other picture is one very small example of all the gravestones which were in the memorial.




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fitting trip for the nine days

Today there were eight girls from Neve who went to the Kosel, the Western Wall, to daven at sunrise. We left campus at five in the morning, and when we arrived to the Kosel there were already throngs of people. There were so many minyanim (groups of ten or more men) that it was not possible to follow the service of just one group. So we all lifted our voices to Hashem seperately, yet in unison. The most amazing art was that around 5:50, the earliest time that one could daven the Shemoneh Esrei, the main prayer of the morning prayer service, the entire group fell silent. It was an awesome moment. To think that everyone was crying out to Hashem simultaneously....it was a very moving experience.

Later on in the morning, we went to the Shoah (holocaust) museum/memorial in the old city, which was founded by survivors. The main display in the musuem was a gravestone for every community which was annihilated during the Shoah. There were five rooms and a courtyard which were literally lined with tombstones. There were also images of the atrocities commited (so graciously taken by the opressors), sefer Torahs which were desecrated, memorials to synagogues, prayer books which were written by inmates from memory on scrap paper. Also, there was a jacket which had been made out of a Torah scroll (I'm not sure if it was more than one or not). The Nazis forced one of the prisoners to make this thing. However, the prisoner did not let this disgusting act degrade him - he selected all the sections of the Torah cursing our enemies and out of those verses he constructed this "jacket."

(By the way, I'm sitting in the Rova right now, in the old city, and since I've been here, I've run into Yael, who's a madricha for NCSY in St. Louis, Mrs. Bloch, along with Chani and Devorah, and Ari Roisman. Is it a small world or WHAT?)

After the museum, which was a sobering experience, we went to the Tomb of King David (it was right across the street)and we said Tehillim (Psalms) for however long we wanted. How fitting, at a time when we're under attack, when we're threatened by our enemies, we go to the tomb of our king, our leader, and beseech Hashem in the merit of King David, to deliver us.

Okay, so it was a very moving and emotional day. It might seem that I'm coming on a little strong here, but it was a very powerful experience, and it's a very intense time in the Jewish Year. I think I mentioned before, but this is a time in the Jewish Year when most of the calamities which befell our nation occured. It doesn't seem like much has changed, and that's really scary. So it's in the forefront of my mind to strengthen my faith and improve my actions.

Tonight there's a Shabbaton at Neve campus. I'm giving a dvar Torah, which is very exciting (yay!) and the theme of the Shabbaton is "Love your neighbot as yourself." A fitting theme for these days. We should all take the message to heart.

reflections

After reflecting on the events of this week, I feared that perhaps I was a bit callous in my last post, that my potentially dismissive remark for all of you to not worry about me was insensitive to all of those in the northern part of Israel who are living in bomb shelters currently, or who have lost loved ones, or even their lives. This was not my goal. My goal was to assuage the fears of those reading this blog.

Let me say that we are all very concerned with the current events, and already there have been several times that the girls at Neve have been gathered into the library to say Tehillim (Psalms) for the safety of the nation. There is a great tradition of saying Tehillim in a time of danger. King David penned numerous Tehillim when he was fleeing his enemies, some of which are said in these times as a source of protection.

For a skeptic, this may seem a little “far out.” Perhaps tanks and ammunition would seem more appropriate, or just more rational. However, when one comes to recognize from whom all power and control emanates (I’ll give you a clue: it’s not Olmert), it makes perfect sense to, and would even seem irresponsible to not, employ the spiritual method.

Rebbetzin Heller suggested saying the 79^th, 93^rd, 130^th, 142^nd Tehillim (you could also say more). The names of the soldiers who are kidnapped, which should be kept in mind, are: Gilad ben Aviva, Ehud ben Malka and Eldad ben Tova. Please keep them, as well as all of us, in your prayers during this difficult time.

Portentously these events are falling out during the period in the Jewish year known as the “Three Weeks,” which is a historically difficult and tragic period.

This is the time of year when both of the temples were destroyed, when we sinned with the golden calf in the desert (think back to the book of Exodus), and when the spies came back with their unfavorable report about the land of Israel (the book of Numbers), among other things. More recently, this was also the time of year when the inhabitants of Gush Katif had to leave their homes (it began the day after Tisha B’Av, if I’m not mistaken).

We are told that one of the reasons the second Beis HaMikdosh, the Temple, was destroyed was because of baseless hatred among Jews. Furthermore, some have said that each year the Temple is not rebuilt, it means that we are still guilty of this sin. How is this possible? The message of “love your neighbor as yourself” seems simple enough, no?

No. I think about every time when someone’s idiosyncrasy annoys me and I cringe at my reaction. Rationally I can understand that he/she is not saying/doing anything to specifically rile me, but some things just get under my skin. And that’s not even on purpose! What about when someone is outright rude to me? Or insulting? Or hostile? How many times do I harbor frustration and negativity in my heart and mind toward someone undeserving of this treatment?

During this time of year especially (though it should really be a constant), I’m trying to quell these reactions, to take a step back and acknowledge that another girls’ quirks are simply that: hers. Even more so, I should wonder how many people are annoyed by my idiosyncrasies. Hmm, that’s a little painful. And when someone is rude to me, or cuts in front of me in line, or whatever, I’m trying not to let my frustration linger.

There is an event tonight on the topic of Lashon Hara (Bad Speech, i.e. gossip, slander, etc.) where several well-known rabbis are speaking on this topic. Since Lashon Hara was included in the reason for the destruction of the second Beis HaMikdosh, it’s very fitting that we learn about these laws in order to begin to repair the damage we have wrought on the world through improper speech. Check out (books here) to learn about these laws.

Each person is created in the image of G-d, and no two people are alike. Instead of noticing the differences between us and being annoyed or appalled or judgmental, perhaps we can learn to appreciate the strengths and individuality of each person, and perhaps through this we can come to see the image of G-d in everyone, and to treat everyone with the dignity and respect they deserve, and then maybe we can merit to see the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdosh in our days.

safe and sound and on a tour

First of all – I’m safe, for those of you keeping up with the current events. Jersualem is out of range, thank G-d.

I wanted to share with you a walking tour I took this morning of the courtyards of some neighborhoods in Jerusalem. This was a very special tour of neighborhoods which were established before and around the turn of the century (yes, there were Jews living in Israel before the establishment of the Jewish state).

In order of the pictures:

1. This is Davidka – a fake mortar war-thing, which the Jews used in war (I think in 47-48?) because they didn’t have enough ammunition. This little guy made a big “boom,” and was used for psychological warfare. It worked, by the way.
2. This is by the entrance of Tiferet Yerushalayim – Ezrat Yisrael (founded 1892)
3. A courtyard in the Even Yisroel (est. 1875) – it’s absolutely gorgeous, with flowers blooming around it and a furniture restoration store behind it. Yofi.
4. Here is an example of a typical window in this old neighborhood. Note the archway, double window, and small hole in between. These were everywhere.
5. This is the entrance to Ohel Moshe (est. 1883).
6. A gorgeous entrance way to an old synagogue. The doors display imagery of the 12 tribes. This was the first synagogue to leave the old city.
7. Here is a plaque outside of a house in Mishkenot Yisroel (est. 1875) which proudly displays the fact that the gadols (the great people), Rabbi Meltzer and Rabbi Pardes used to live in this building. We were able to schmooze little with the woman who currently resides in the home, and she regaled us with stories of how the descendents of these great men will periodically come to the home to visit. Amazing!!
8. These beautiful figures are the artwork of Chaim Peretz, who is a very modest artist living in this area. When asked why he didn’t place his gallery/store in a more populated area, he replied that Hashem is in charge of his income, and if he is to prosper, Hashem will send him the business. It seems to be working.
9. The door of the home of Rabbi Aryeh Levine. His son gives brachos (blessings) from this building. Hopefully, I’ll go back and get one.
10. This is a real Yerushalmi challah in the area of Batei Rand (est 1910)! It’s representative of the twelve tribes, or it could also be representative of the twelve loaves which were displayed in the Beis HaMikdosh (The Temple) every Shabbos. We are trying to recruit this lady to come and teach us at Neve how to make this delicious bread!
11. Why would I take a picture of a blue dumpster? Because it’s not a dumpster! This container is used to put papers which contain the name of G-d, or a verse from the Torah. We don’t throw these pieces of paper away, out of respect for G-d and the Torah. This is a neighborhood service. Can you imagine?
12. In this neighborhood of Batei Broide (est. 1902) there was some real action. If you look closely, you can see the bullet hole on this iron gate. Yikes!
13. This is a Syrian shul in Nachlat Tziyon (est 1893). Inside (which was locked) is some beautiful artwork. I had to take the tourguide’s word.

That’s it – there’s the tour. Enjoy! Come visit!

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a trip to the south

ach Friday in the summer Neve organizes a tiyul, a trip. This week the trip was to Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea. I decided to come along on this trip, and was it ever worth it! We left at seven in the morning, and traveled down to Ein Gedi. Our tour guide, Daniel, commented on various facts and figures along the way. However, I was mainly sleeping, so I didn’t really benefit from his knowledge. The moments I was conscious I was taken by the gorgeous landscape.

We were traveling through the Judean desert, which consisted mainly of massive rolling rocky hills peppered with little Bedouin settlement. Now, when I saw settlement, I don’t mean like the suburbs. There homes appeared to be little metal shacks which looked as though they wouldn’t withstand a gusty day, much less inclement weather. Or sandstorms (do they have those in this desert?). Daniel mentioned that the Bedouins don’t wander as they used to, but rather, settle in this little groupings. It looked like abject poverty to me.

So we finally arrived at Ein Gedi and were given a little background information. Like, for instance, there was Jewish settlement in Ein Gedi in the times of King David, and that King David, when being pursued by his father-in-law, King Saul (okay, so he wasn’t yet King David), fled to this oasis, Ein Gedi, where they finally had a confrontation and King Saul realized the err of his ways, so to speak.

King David wrote at least one Psalm about this location (which I think we say in Hallel). It was beautiful, mountain peppered with foliage and natural springs, waterfalls, rock formations. Here are some images, which don’t really do it any justice, of course. We got to splash around in the water a little bit, too, which was great fun.

Daniel passed around pictures of an ancient synagogue, dating back 1500 years or so, which was found in an excavation of the area. There are inscriptions warning against speaking negatively against your fellow Jew, even back then. When will we get the hint?

Then we all piled back into the bus and headed out to the dead sea (Which was only about 15 minutes away). This, in case you don’t know, is the lowest place on the globe. Cool. Also, we got to pass Masada on the way, which is location of a famous stand-off between the Jews and the Romans

Finally, we arrived at the Dead Sea, where the madrichot (r.a’s) promptly set up the food (since we were all pretty famished). Tuna and cheese sandwiches, carrots, cucumbers, pudding and apples. Yum yum. We went in to the water and it was such a crazy experience – I walked in until the water was up to my waist and then I simply leaned back. The water was so buoyant that I was floating effortlessly.

In fact, it was so buoyant that t was very difficult for me to stand back up. It was great fun, and my skin felt really smooth afterwards. I also took some of the salt from the floor of the sea and rubbed it on my face in the vain hope that it would do something for my complexion. Haha.

In any case, it was a wonderful, amazing trip, and I was tuckered out by the end, so I slept the entire way home, then went and did my chesed job, went to the Lists and the Epstein for Shabbos. It was wonderful.

Me at Ein Gedi. Like the bandana? These are all Ein Gedi. Pictures of the Dead Sea to follow. Enjoy!