Thursday 31 May 2007

The Rebbe's Tish

I love the fact that in Israel there are an endless number of places to go where you can daven, learn, and see just about anything! Whenever possible I like to take in new experiences, to see how other Jews celebrate Shabbat, Daven, or just live from day to day. The variety is endless.

I have a friend who writes about many things in several languages. What makes her writing good is that she does not just go to the library for information--she goes right to the subject. This past Shabbat I accompanied her to a tish at Toldot Aharon. For a good read go to her site: http://www.shearim.blogspot.com/

The bottom line to the article is that you can't believe everything you read in the press or see on TV!

Bits and Pieces..

Living in Israel (Jerusalem) is like no other place in the world. I've lived in Europe and North America in a variety of cities & towns and the northern bush country, but so far nothing can come close to life as it is here. There are people from every corner of the planet and they run the gamut from fall on your face religious fanatics to staunch atheists. What is it about this tiny country that causes people to "step outside of themselves"? Why is it that on any given day if you tune in the news and there is a good chance you will hear something about Israel? People either love it or hate it, there is not much in between.
I came to Israel to immerse myself in Orthodox Judaism, with thoughts of a gentle, peaceful lifestyle divided between my shul, my community and Torah...
Like many people I tend to "kvetch", but I also try to find a positive side to all things--because we are taught that everything was created "for good" (it is just our tunnel vision that sees only bad). I recently acquired a great little book called In the Garden of Emuna by Rabbi Shalom Aarush. Based on the teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov it provides simple tools to help you deal with life's challenges and increase your You learn to look for the positive in everything--or at least to know it is there somewhere if you look hard enough. and is one of those bedside books that you just know will be thumbed through until it is worn ragged. If you want to read a bit there is an exerpt from the book here:

Israel, Jerusalem, Judaism, Zionism, Middle East, Aliyah, Conversion, and everything else that pops up