Diane and I are anticipating our return to the US.
Diane and I are anticipating our return to the US. I can’t say it’s been a relaxing trip. It’s certainly been a pleasure visiting with friends and family, especially our son Dani and his wife Chana. Traveling around the country and spending time in Jerusalem again has been an awesome experience, to reconnect with the sacredness of the land, the accomplishments of Israelis and Palestinians, their blood, sweat and tears in building this modern country. Of course, there are many conflicting realities here. One reality is that everyone loves this Land. The majority of the people here want to live in peace with each other.
During our visit, a new government came into power that is threatening to destroy many hard earned hopeful relationships that exist. Everyone that I’ve met decries the act of the new security minister, Ben-Gvir, in his visit yesterday to the Temple Mount. Perhaps he should have the position as “insecurity minister.” Even the more right wing Israelis I’ve spoken with are upset with this move. Ali and Emili at the Taghyeer Non-violence Center in the West Bank are fearful of increased violence coming from both sides. Many, on both sides, also feel this government will soon fall apart.
This morning we met with an old friend Rabbi Yitzhak Marmorstein, a prominent student of Rav Kook’s teachings and the Gabbai of Rav Kook House in Jerusalem. Rav Kook was the chief rabbi of Palestine in the ‘30’s, a vegetarian and a Jewish universalist. Yitzhak, also associated with Jewish Renewal, shared the following Rav Kook teaching:
“Jacob, the man of integrity said of his reunion with Esau: “I have seen you, it is like seeing the face of God" (Gen. 33:10). His word shall not go down as a vain utterance. The brotherly love of Esau and Jacob, of Isaac and Ishmael, will assert itself above all the confusion that the evil brought on by our bodily nature has engendered. It will over-come them and transform them to eternal light and compassion. This broad concept, sweetened by the enlightenment of the true teaching of the Torah, must be our guide on all our ways in the end of days, to seal our understanding of the Torah with the imprint of the Messiah by turning the bitter to sweet, and darkness to light.”
This week’s Parsha, VaYechi, closes with Jacob’s sons gathered round him on his death bed. He offers words to his sons, some receive his blessings others are rebuked for their behavior and the ultimate judgement of Acharit HaYamin, at the End of Days.
Jacob speaks to us today.
B’Shalom u-Vracha,
Reb David