Beginning with the 17th of the month of Tammuz, we started a period of the 3 weeks where we will progressively increase our state of mourning for the Beis HaMikdash until we reach Tisha B'Av, which commemorates the destruction of the first two temples. Unless, of course, Moshiach comes before then, and the Beis HaMikdash is rebuilt; then we will forever be in simcha! But until then, we are now in a period of mourning. I have especially felt this being in Erez Yisrael. Many of my classes revolve around the 3 weeks and the 9 days of even stricter mourning, and it has become so clear to me that we truly need to use this time to realize that all of the trials and tribulations in the world, even heat waves in the weather, would immediately be resolved if we would have the Beis HaMikdash back.
While we should constantly be praying for the return of the Beis HaMikdash and Moshiach, it seems that this period of diminished happiness is a time when it can constantly be on our minds. The halachas of this period pertain directly to events that happened when we had the Beis HaMikdash, and we refrain from doing them to remember why we are mourning. While some of the limitations during the 9 days may seem a little over the top to some people, such as not showering or doing laundry, it is with a certain mindset that one can truly begin to hit the tip of the iceberg in understanding how unbelievably tragic it really is that we are without the Beis HaMikdash. Eyaht has helped me realize that it is hard for us to actually feel the sadness of this loss because it is so far in our psst. We must take extreme measures in order to even begin to realize our sadness. So whether it is reading "To Vanquish the Dragon" by Pearl Benisch, sitting on the floor, not wearing clean clothing, or going to classes and learning about the Beis HaMikdash and the laws and the meanings behind these 9 days coming up, I believe it is so imperative for everyone to do what they can to mourn and remember exactly what all Jews are longing for.
May Moshiach come very soon and, please G-d, let this be the last time we are mourning for the Beis HaMikdash.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Simchas and Mitzvos
The past week at Eyaht has been a time of many simchas. One of our dear friends and, shall we say, glue of the school, got engaged! Can you say MAZEL TOV!? I could not be more thrilled to be here at such an exciting time, and I feel so fortunate to get to help out and participate in all of the simchas. As soon as we found out about the engagement, all the Eyaht girls were asking how they could help with the vort. Right up until the very last detail was taken care of, I did not see the girls stop taking care of our new Kallah. It is a wonderful time like this when one can truly see that Eyaht really is a family, and I have never seen people take care of each other, ever in my life, the way they do here.
You may already be able to guess, but, Baruch H-shem, there are mitzvos for a person to do everywhere. I have felt my eyes being especially open to the opportunities since I have been in Israel. H-shem put us here to do mitzvos, 613 of them, and He graciously throws them in the paths of our daily lives, whether we always choose to receive them or not. Not only does a simcha, like an engagement, give a large opportunity for mitzvos, but there truly are mitzvos everywhere. I feel that, thank Gd, I am constantly blessed with a mitzvah. I never realized how truly vital mitzvos are to our lives. They are what keeps us going, and they are our purpose for being here. That is huge. If not for that reason alone, everyone should be out doing mitzvos all day, just knowing that. I am so lucky that I am in a country where my mitzvos are handed to me. I'm in a place where people leave their trash outside their door so that I can have the mitzvah of helping another. Almost daily, I have the pleasure of crossing a small child across the street, and without even speaking a word, I like to think I've brightened their day. Giving tzedakah, helping a friend, and so many more not only brighten the lives of others, but truly brighten your neshama as well. I know I'm growing when I do what H-shem has put me here to do, and I am so thankful that I am finally in a place that is helping me understand the reasons why.
You may already be able to guess, but, Baruch H-shem, there are mitzvos for a person to do everywhere. I have felt my eyes being especially open to the opportunities since I have been in Israel. H-shem put us here to do mitzvos, 613 of them, and He graciously throws them in the paths of our daily lives, whether we always choose to receive them or not. Not only does a simcha, like an engagement, give a large opportunity for mitzvos, but there truly are mitzvos everywhere. I feel that, thank Gd, I am constantly blessed with a mitzvah. I never realized how truly vital mitzvos are to our lives. They are what keeps us going, and they are our purpose for being here. That is huge. If not for that reason alone, everyone should be out doing mitzvos all day, just knowing that. I am so lucky that I am in a country where my mitzvos are handed to me. I'm in a place where people leave their trash outside their door so that I can have the mitzvah of helping another. Almost daily, I have the pleasure of crossing a small child across the street, and without even speaking a word, I like to think I've brightened their day. Giving tzedakah, helping a friend, and so many more not only brighten the lives of others, but truly brighten your neshama as well. I know I'm growing when I do what H-shem has put me here to do, and I am so thankful that I am finally in a place that is helping me understand the reasons why.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Bitachon
Baruch H-shem! The past few weeks have been filled with so much learning, new adventures, friends, and excitement, that I have not had as much time to blog as I originally thought I would. As I am completely settled into my new summer home I have finally found a good wifi connection (hard to come by) and I am able to post!
My time spent at Eyaht has been nothing but wonderful. I have been sitting in some of the most inspirational and educational classes of my life: Halacha, tefillos, 48 ways, Medrash, just to name a few favorites. I really have learned so much, that I feel like my brain could explode, but H-shem knows that it is so important for me to know all that I am learningmthat He somehow does not let me get overwhelmed. I have also been fortunate enough to make some of the most amazing friends. The girls here are truly wonderful. They do not let me starve when I cannot light the gas stove, and they are always there to listen when I need to talk. They are true friends. In addition, the community here is something that I have never experienced before. I have loved becoming close with families in the community and spending time helping them in their homes. While they think that I am doing them so much chessed by holding their baby, really I am learning so much just by watching them in their homes.
Among all of the other amazing experiences I have had so far such as swimming in the Kineret, davening at Amuka, seeing the light show in Tiveria, and tubing in the Banyas, one of the biggest lessons that I believe gets more engraved into my heart by the day is learning to trust in H-shem. When the number 72 bus doesn't come for 30 minutes, and I really need to get to work, I have learned to leave my frustration behind, call the lady, and simply ask H-shem that the bus should come soon. Everything is in His hands, and I truly do not have control over anything. On the opposite spectrum, when something good and totally unexpected happens, like when I found 50 shekel in the street erev Shabbos, I can also appreciate and know that, this too, is from H-shem. Being at Eyaht has really made me see everything I do in my daily life with a new pair of eyes. My experience here has really made the world so much more beautiful to me, and I am so grateful. While it is true that I was becoming frum before now, I truly believe that without this aspect of total trust in H-shem that I really did not understand one of the most basic principles of Judaism. I can honestly say that I really think I was ignorant before, and I have really learned a crucial lesson here in the past few weeks, out of many others of course.
To conclude my first weeks as a sem girl, I am a seasoned bus rider, rav cav holder, I bought another pair of crocs, I bought 4 new skirts all at 50% off, fed cats on the street, taken out random people's garbage, sweat A LOT, not gotten my nails done!, I've made some friends for forever, learned some lessons for life, and many more. And to all this I truly say Baruch H-shem. Thank You, for leading me here, and blessing me with this priceless and life changing opportunity.
I'm off to take in more of this amazing place while I can. I hope that all of you will travel to Eretz Yisrael soon because there truly is no place in the world that can even compare.
My time spent at Eyaht has been nothing but wonderful. I have been sitting in some of the most inspirational and educational classes of my life: Halacha, tefillos, 48 ways, Medrash, just to name a few favorites. I really have learned so much, that I feel like my brain could explode, but H-shem knows that it is so important for me to know all that I am learningmthat He somehow does not let me get overwhelmed. I have also been fortunate enough to make some of the most amazing friends. The girls here are truly wonderful. They do not let me starve when I cannot light the gas stove, and they are always there to listen when I need to talk. They are true friends. In addition, the community here is something that I have never experienced before. I have loved becoming close with families in the community and spending time helping them in their homes. While they think that I am doing them so much chessed by holding their baby, really I am learning so much just by watching them in their homes.
Among all of the other amazing experiences I have had so far such as swimming in the Kineret, davening at Amuka, seeing the light show in Tiveria, and tubing in the Banyas, one of the biggest lessons that I believe gets more engraved into my heart by the day is learning to trust in H-shem. When the number 72 bus doesn't come for 30 minutes, and I really need to get to work, I have learned to leave my frustration behind, call the lady, and simply ask H-shem that the bus should come soon. Everything is in His hands, and I truly do not have control over anything. On the opposite spectrum, when something good and totally unexpected happens, like when I found 50 shekel in the street erev Shabbos, I can also appreciate and know that, this too, is from H-shem. Being at Eyaht has really made me see everything I do in my daily life with a new pair of eyes. My experience here has really made the world so much more beautiful to me, and I am so grateful. While it is true that I was becoming frum before now, I truly believe that without this aspect of total trust in H-shem that I really did not understand one of the most basic principles of Judaism. I can honestly say that I really think I was ignorant before, and I have really learned a crucial lesson here in the past few weeks, out of many others of course.
To conclude my first weeks as a sem girl, I am a seasoned bus rider, rav cav holder, I bought another pair of crocs, I bought 4 new skirts all at 50% off, fed cats on the street, taken out random people's garbage, sweat A LOT, not gotten my nails done!, I've made some friends for forever, learned some lessons for life, and many more. And to all this I truly say Baruch H-shem. Thank You, for leading me here, and blessing me with this priceless and life changing opportunity.
I'm off to take in more of this amazing place while I can. I hope that all of you will travel to Eretz Yisrael soon because there truly is no place in the world that can even compare.
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