GRATITUDE

Today my mind turns to gratitude and feelings of appreciation. I remember a prayer that I once read “You have given so much to me. Give me one more thing- a grateful heart” We must continuously express gratitude whenever possible. Too often we take our lives for granted. Learn to appreciate and savor the wonderful things in life, from the the people we know, to the food we eat, from nature and from a simple smile.

As I look around, I begin to realize more and more a need to cultivate the art of appreciation and gratitude. A simple “ thank you “ can go a long way in bringing people closer together and to form greater bonds of friendship.

 

We are to express our appreciation, sincerely, without the expectation of anything in return. When we truly appreciate those around us we will soonfind many who will surround us.  When we truly appreciate life, we will find that we have more of it.

 

The question I pose; "Do we appreciate what we have and do we show our appreciation to others?"

 

A few months ago, I read about Walter Davis, thirty three years of age, who was divorced from his wife, Barbara. He enlisted the aid of a computer dating service in his search for a new mate. He filled out a lengthy questionnaire in which he provided a great deal of information about himself and about the qualities he sought for in a wife.

 

The computer ran through thirty thousand prospects and then came up with four names. The first name on the list was that of Barbara, his former wife. She had filed a similar form with the same computer dating service.

 

This story is worth pondering; "Why do we not appreciate what we have and only do so after its absence?"

 

This thought is so apropos for all of us today.  Just think, that the first thing we do when we arise in the morning is to utter the beautiful Tefillah “Modeh Ani", expressing a great sense of gratitude for life itself, which Hashem grants us every day.

 

In this week’s Sedrah, Vayetzeh, we read of how Leah, the wife of Yaakov, after giving birth to her fourth son, names him Yehudah. Why? Because הפעם אודה את הדי "This time I will praise Hashem"

 

The Gemara says that Leah had a grateful nature. She took charge of the scepter of gratitude and bequeathed it to her offspring. Leah taught us well the true feeling of profound gratitude to Hashem and to appreciate all that life has to offer us and never, never, to take anything for granted.

 

Through Leah's personality and her strong demeanor, and surely her life of Appreciation, the Jewish People were deemed worthy to be called "Yehudim". Especially, when we realize that in the name יהודים, the ineffable name of G-D,  שם הוי  is reflected as it shines forth on the Jewish People.

Thereby, the destiny of the Jew is forever linked to the Divine Name, a name that bespeaks Gratitude and Appreciation. What a magnificent heritage to be blessed with. All that it entails is that we appreciate what we have and show our gratitude for the blessings of life.

                     .............. מודים אנחנו לך על חיינו המסורים בידך

 

Feelings of despondency continue to overwhelm me as I reflect on the horrific murderous act that took place in a Har Nof Synagogue. We inevitably rise up in desperation and cry out “What is life all about"? In our despondency we find that it is hard for us to move on and it is at that precise moment, our Emunah kicks in  and we say “In spite of it all”, “מודים אנחנו לך.” We gather whatever strength we have and hope that tomorrow will be a better time for K'lal Yisroel because we hold dear the legacy of Mother Leah in expressing our deep gratitude to Hashem.

 

This terrible and frightful awakening experience brought forth greater realizations for our need to cherish the gift of life and to embrace it with more love and compassion, and to forge a greater bond of Achdut with each other, for, סוף כל סוף, all we have is each other.

 

The words of Dovid Hamelech, ring out to us,

הודו להי כי טוב כי לעולם חסדו "Give thanks to Hashem for He is good and His love lasts forever."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JEWISH BLOOD IS NOT CHEAP

The tears of our hearts continue to flow unabaitantly for the victims of the modern day Holocaust that took place in a synagogue in Har Nof.

 

    I searched for words of consolation and for Chizuk in this most devastating and demonizing hour for our brethren in Israel, but, I am sorry to say, the words were not forthcoming. Then I searched and found in this weeks Parsha, the words that Yitzchak said to Yaakov when Yaakov came to be blessed  הקול קול יעקב והידים ידי עשו. Yitzchak did not realize that he was foretelling the future, that at the moment when “Our Jacobs” were davening and uttering the words of Shemone Esray, the beast Esauv/Moslem murderers would come with their evil hands and murder innocent, pure and righteous Jews in a most demonic way.

 

   One of the murdered victims was Rabbi Moshe Twersky, the grandson of our Rebbe, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. A colleague reminded me of a statement the Rav wrote in the year 1960 in  “Kol Dodi Dofek”, which best sums up my feelings at this hour and needs to be read by world Jewry.

 "the fifth knock of the Beloved is perhaps the most important. For the first time in the annals of exile, Divine Providence has amazed our enemies with the astounding discovery that Jewish blood is not cheap. G-D did not seek honor and recognition. He wanted Pharoah, Moshe’s contemporary, to know that he must pay a high price for his edict that "Every male child born shall be cast into the river". His present desire is that the blood of the Jewish children who were slain, as they recited the

eighteen benedictions of the daily Amidah prayer, shall also be avenged. When G-D smote the Egyptians, He sought to demonstrate that there will always be accountability for the spilling of Jewish blood. At present, it is necessary not only to convince the dictator of Egypt, Nasser, but the self righteous Nehru, the Foreign Office in London, and the sanctimonious members of the United Nations that Jewish blood is not cheap. A people that cannot defend its freedom and tranquility is neither free nor independent".

 

It is frightening that the Rav said this many years ago and here we are today experiencing those self same feelings.

I will let the words of the Rav speak for themselves.

I pray that the injured should have a Refuah Sh’leymah.

May our Kedoshim find repose in Gan Eden.

May we herald the coming of the Meshiach, who will bring Peace and Tranqulity to the Jewish People and to the State of Israel.

WHO ARE WE? גר ותושב

As we continue to read Sefer Beraishis, one Medrash stands out in my mind as we strive to understand the entire story of creation and the ensuing lives of our Patriarchs and Matriarchs.

 

The Medrash states “Adam was created last by Hashem after all else was created, in order to prove to mankind that man was G-D's crowning glory at creation. ” By this act, Hashem proclaims to the world, that every person, whoever they may be, is most significant and important and precious in His eyes."

 

 The life of a Jew is unique and can best be understood when experienced.

 

I read recently, when Moshe Dayan was asked ‘What he was? he replied, “First I am Moshe and then I am General Dayan".

 

He was simply saying, ‘My first name Moshe is Hebrew and of historic origin and I belong to the Jewish People. Then I am Israeli, with a specific responsibility to the State of Israel."

 

The question for all to answer, ‘How do we identify ourselves?’

 

In this week’s Parsha, Chayeh Sarah, when Avraham was negotiating with  Bnei Cheis for Maarat Hamachpala as a burial place for Sarah he identifies himself in a fascinating way “גר ותושב אנכי עמכם” "I am a stranger and a resident among you." With these unique and strange combination of words, Avraham was reiterating how he saw himself vis a vis others in his generation and equally reflecting the historic destiny of the Jewish People.

 

The Rav, Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik zt”l, suggests the following idea as Jews see themselves in our American society – He writes, ”It is true I am one of you, as I engage in business as you do , I speak your language, and I take full part in your social and economic institutions and in these aspects I am a resident in your community. However, at the same time I am a foreigner, a Geir.  I belong to a particular world - one that is completely foreign to you. It is a world where I am one with the Creator. We live within a tradition that you do not understand, with spiritual values that are strange to you. We live in a world of Torah, of loving kindness, of sanctity, and purity. You live differently, pray differently, and observe your Sabbath differently. In all these aspects, I am a Geir in your midst”.

 

Reflecting on the Rav’s remarks we, as Americans, will continue to dialogue with loyal citizens of our country and at all times maintain our strict observance of Torah and Mitzvot.

 

As Jews in the Diaspora the world does not understand our loyalty and dedication to the State of Israel.  But we will continue to muster all our efforts for the survival of our Jewish State.  We hope and pray that the world powers will recognize the importance of the State of Israel, not only for the Jewish People but for all persons throughout the universe. The world must know that the State of Israel will continue to grow and thrive, and we, the so called Geirim, in their midst, will continue to speak out on it’s behalf.

 

The expression of being a stranger and a citizen may seem antithetical, but it is our way of declaring who we are and with pride maintain that magnificent Jewish Identity.

 

Who are we?        גר ותושב !!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

WORDS OF INSPIRATION

Permit me to share with you a statement made by Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, a great spiritual leader of the Jewish People and a profound Jewish Thinker.

 

"There is one who sings the songs of his own self and in himself finds everything. Then there is the one who sings the song of his people and cleaves with a tender love to Israel. And there is one whose spirit is in all worlds, and with all of them does he join in his song. The song of self, the song of One’s people, the song of man, the song of the world-they all merge within him continually. And this song, in its completeness and fullness, rises to become the song of Holiness."

 

These words of inspiration ring out to all humanity, with the simple question; “What song do we have in our lives that bespeaks the essence of our existence?”

 

More so, my quest is; “What song was in the hearts and minds of our patriarchs, especially in the heart and mind of our Father Avraham.”

 

I pose this question as we read in this week’s Parsha the story of the Akedah, when Avraham was asked by Hashem to bring his beloved son Yitzchak as an offering, attesting to his loyalty and unequivocal obedience to G-D'S behest.

 

I find the entire Akedah episode very difficult to comprehend because the Torah gives no description of Avraham’s state of mind or his feelings at this trying time. I do not see any conversation taking place, except when the Torah states "And Avraham rose early in the morning and went to the place of which G-D had told him".

 

One wonders ‘What were the inner thoughts, feelings and reactions of Avraham to such a severe Nisayon?’

 

A most enigmatic Medrash addresses Avraham’s dilemma as he walks with Yitzchak to fulfill the wishes of Hashem.

 

The Medrash relates; “The Satan appeared in different guises with the intention of dissuading Avraham from fulfilling his task. The Satan, in a very nefarious, way tries to show him the absurdity of such a venture.”

 

As I begin to think of the significance of this Medrash, I venture to say, that it may be a symbolic representation of an internal struggle that was taking place in the psychic of Avraham as he begins to realize more and more as he is rapidly approaches Mt. Moriah of the dire consequence of this mission.  However, his immense loyalty and dedication to Hashem energizes him to fend off all the efforts of the Satan and of his inner struggle and to forge ahead with his mission,  hoping, deep down in his heart and mind that the end result of such a Nisayon will be to his benefit.

 

Many of us face ‘Inner Struggle Forces’ which often deter us from our mission and our Tafkid in life.  We must, with all the energies we can muster, to fend off our ‘Inner Struggles’ that will take us off our path,  leading to success and to happiness.

 

Once again remembering the words of Rav Kook, “We all have a song of life that needs to be expressed and we must strive to sing that song that will continue to influence the way we live and to always be vigilant never to permit the Satans of negativity to block our road of achieving our spiritual goals for ourselves, for our families and for K'lal Yisrael.”