Elul 2013

We are now in the middle of Elul zman in school, and the 8:30 am - 5:30 pm schooldays are full of Chumash: we are currently learning about the Akeidas Yitzchak otherwise known as the binding of Yitzchak on Mt. Moriah. This parsha is read during Rosh Hashanah so we are learning it beforehand in school. For those who aren't familiar, the Akeidas Yitzchak is when Hashem told Avraham to take Yitzchak and offer him as a sacrifice. Of course, you may be thinking, "Why are those crazy Jews sacrificing humans?!" Don't be fooled by Hashem's seemingly outrageous command to Avraham, it was/is/always will be against Torah law to not only sacrifice a human being, but also kill anyone in general (see 10 Commandments for further info...lol). The real lesson we are taught through this parsha is that Avraham had so much yiras Shamayim (awe of Hashem) that he was willing to sacrifice his own son for the sake of Hashem's name. What's even greater, is that until Yitzchak and Avraham were on the mountain alone, Yitzchak simply thought he was going to help Avraham sacrifice a lamb. When Yitzchak found out that HE was the sacrifice, he willingly layed down and allowed Avraham to bind him with the wood. ***Please note: Yitzchak was not actually harmed during this parsha.*** We learn from our forefathers that especially during this time of teshuva and working on ourselves, we should always be constantly striving to have yiras Shamayim and to always trust Hashem and His ways. 

In addition to Chumash, we are also learning a lot of Mussar. The Mussar Movement was founded in the 1800's by a famous rabbi, Rabbi Yisroel Salanter. The word mussar itself means ethics or values, and through R' Yisroel Salanter's teachings we learn how to improve ourselves from within. Since this time before Yom HaDin (Day of Judgement), is all about improving ourselves, mussar is a great thing to learn at this time. Every morning we have breakfast class with the head of our school. We are currently learning "Discourse on Free Will" by Rav Eliyahu Dessler, who I could take up an entire post just speaking about his greatness and teachings. What's even more exciting than learning an essay from "Strive for the Truth" is that this particular essay happens to be the very first thing I ever learned (torah-wise) with my Rabbi from Indiana. I feel like learning this essay again really signifies the full circle I have made, and will continue to make in my Jewish learning.

Thursday night I went with two of my friends to the Jerusalem International Arts Festival. There were booths from all over the world, and also from Israel, displaying their work. For all the Louisvillians, it was basically like the St. James Art Fair, so it was pretty awesome. It may have even been better than that because there was kosher food that I could eat! They had live music including some of my southern favorites: Country Roads and Blowing in the Wind (circa 8th grade music class #throwback). My two friends I was with are from Canada and South Africa, and they thought I was very weird for jammin' to the music. You can take the girl out of the South, but you can't take the South out of the girl. I found the artist I have been searching all over Jerusalem to find his work, and I got my finishing piece (for the moment anyway) to hang over my bed. It's the Etz Chaim (Tree of Life), and it is SO fabulous. 

This Shabbos, I went to one of the tutors from Shearim in Ramat Eshkol. Her beds and pillows were 100% American and comfier than a 5 star hotel. The salads were first class, and the dessert was homemade but I thought it came from a bakery. Let's just say I was wined and dined this Shabbos, and I'm not complaining. In addition, her kids were super cute, and we had a really great time. 

I am now going to call my cute, baby cousin to wish her a happy 4th Birthday and go to sleep. I have to really get my rest because the days are long, and I have to be on my A-game. I hope you're all having a meaningful Elul, and are surviving the summer heat wherever you are in the world. Lailah tov! 

xoxo, Frum Girl