Earlier this week, as I read about Switzerland bravely outlawing minarets (prayer towers attached to a mosque) the first thing I thought was, “Wow…they should really beef up their security now.”

Then the talk at the yeshiva turned to the subject of whether or not it is good or bad, etc.  One of the first points made was that yarmulkes and Jewish prayer shawls are next.  Which, to my understanding has already happened to an extent.  I had an acquaintance that lived in Holland who said that no outward signs of one’s religion are acceptable in Holland (or maybe the EU?).  He couldn’t wear a yarmulke to work, nor wear his Star of David necklace, but the Christians couldn’t wear a crucifix either.  This is the face of Socialism…making everyone the same and equal…even though we’re not and never will be.

The case of minarets made someone mention church bells  and how those would or should be outlawed to be fair since they are of a similar nature (than the great leap to articles of clothing or jewelry).  This in turn sparked a different thought for me entirely.  Church bells/steeples and minarets…what attention getters!

For all the similarities among the three religions “of the Book” (with ironically most of the similarities being between Judaism and Islam), Judaism is by far the least imposing.  I mean a prayer tower that you use to shout all across the land that it’s time to pray and church bells that sound out all over town?  It’s like both are saying, “LOOK AT ME!!  I’M HERE!!  I’M HERE!!”  Judaism on the other hand says, “I’m not here.  You don’t see me.”

The oldest of the three faiths seems to have a more mature approach to its own existence.  I have often found that often the most insecure people are the ones who crave attention, who seek to legitimize their sense of security by being the life of the party.  The two young “upstarts” are very interested in making their impact on the party and go out of their way to gain this popularity.  Whereas the “old hat” knows he’s cool…and stands in the corner and waits for the people to come to him (enter image of the Fonz here).

Or could it be something else entirely?  Just over two thousand years ago Judaism did proselytize among the nations, and this ended about the time of the destruction of the Second Temple.  Since then, after being obliterated and humiliated by Rome, Judaism has suffered her wrath again in the form of Christianity (spiritual Rome).    Crusades, inquisitions, pogroms, and the Holocaust have really taken their toll.  I think it would make anyone reluctant to step into the world scene and announce “I’M HERE!”  Islam also obviously has their share of hate and murder and Jews that live in Muslim lands are very much flying under the radar.

So is Judaism’s approach to the world now a result of centuries of persecution or is it a type of “maturity” and confidence that doesn’t need to be advertised?  Maybe a little of both?

It’s been said that knowledge is power.   I can see how this may be true (if one acts on their knowledge), but I would also argue that in some cases a lack of knowledge is also powerful…power of a different nature.

In this past week’s parasha (Toldot) we see for the first time in his commentary on the Torah, Rashi admitting to not knowing the reason for some particular wording in a verse.  Rashi (acronym for Rabbi Shlomo Yitzhaki), who is the foremost commentator on Jewish Scripture, gives a simple meaning of a verse, but without his input a deeper meaning (and even basic understanding) of the verse is lost.

The verse in question is Genesis 28:5 where it repeats the genealogy of Rivkah and her two sons.  This is already known information…why repeat it here!?  This is probably what was bothering Rashi about this verse, but in his commentary what does he say?  That he doesn’t know the reason for it!  This really blew me away.  Think about it for a second.  The most brilliant and widely recognized commentator of all time saying he doesn’t know something!

At first it may seem like a letdown that he doesn’t know what’s going on there, but then you have to realize he could have just written nothing at all for that verse.  He doesn’t comment on every single verse in the Torah, only ones that he felt need elaboration.  In this verse, the repetition was bothering him, he admits this much by even mentioning it, but then offers no solution!  Such humility!  Most people in his place would feel compelled to make something up on the spot if they don’t know the real answer, but he doesn’t.  Most people would just not write anything than expose the fact that they don’t know something.

This is truly impressive stuff, and he does it in quite a few other places in the corpus of his commentary.  This simple act has truly revealed his character I think, and it is a trait that I hope to be able to emulate in my life…the power of not knowing something, and being able to admit it.  That’s real power…the power over one’s ego.  If I do my best will I be able to follow his example?  I don’t know…

Recently I updated my Facebook status as something to the effect that I’m very happy right now, and I haven’t been this happy in a LONG time. The speculation as to why I am so happy was honed in to basically one possible reason: my being engaged. As much as I think that would make me happier than I’ve been in a while…I’m happy to write that I’m very happy even not being engaged!

Most of the cause I think is the fact that I’m finally living a goal I set almost 5 years ago, and that sense of accomplishment, coupled with the elation that comes with doing what I think I was created to do, sends my soul soaring! But there is another key to my “success” at finding the ever elusive happiness I’ve been seeking so long.

What’s the secret? I’m so glad you asked! The secret is how you begin your day. I don’t mean what toothpaste you use, or whether you take a shower or not, or even what cereal you choose. It begins before you even step out of bed. What is the first thing you think about or say? That’s how you really begin your day. So how do I begin my day? I think most would envy it, but I think it’s certainly possible to duplicate where you are.

Let me begin by demonstrating how I started my day today:

A gentle knock on the door, it unlocks and then I hear the voice of Riki, the yeshiva’s Israeli cook and “mom away from mom”:

She says, “Boker tov, Boaz! Boaz HaTzaddik ani ahevet otach!” (Good morning, Boaz! Boaz the righteous, I love you!)

I’d imagine that most people would like to be greeted that way as a wakeup call (I know I do), but this is only part of the equation. The first thing I do is focus my mind and say is a quick prayer of thanksgiving to G-d, the One who protected my soul while I slept, and Who removes sleep from my eyes.

The prayer is recited thus:  Modeh ani lifanecha melech chai v’kayam shehechezarta bi nishmahti b’chemlah, rabah emunatecha! (I offer thanks before You, living and eternal King, for You have mercifully restored my soul within me; how great is Your faithfulness!)

Not going too deep into Jewish law, but this is the first thing that should pass the lips of a Jew upon waking. It’s a simple prayer that establishes G-d as first in my thoughts, and my thankfulness for that fact. I have found that if I really concentrate when I recite this and truly feel thankful for waking to another day—I get out of bed with an almost cheery disposition (or at least happy on the inside until I completely wake up). So in essence, how you begin your day can affect the rest of the day greatly.

I find that even how you’ll react to stressful situations later on (if they occur) is greatly affected by a good start to the day. I also think that just as Jewish days begin the night before, so should one’s prep for a good next day. You should try to get a good night’s rest (usually around 8 hours for most people) beforehand.

So just to recap, I’ve had happier, more positive days lately because of three basic elements:

1.) Waking up and immediately thanking G-d for being alive

2.) Having some positive affirmation along with the thankfulness of being alive (Riki does that for me here, but one can do this alone or with a partner. If alone, after saying modeh/modah ani [or if you’re not Jewish, perhaps a prayer you’ve written on your own] just remind yourself that performing a mitzvah [commandment] is pleasing to G-d and that He loves you and appreciates you like no one else can. If you’re married, this is also easy. Let your spouse know shortly after waking up how much you love them and how you feel blessed being married to them, how you appreciate them and what they do for the family, etc. And don’t forget to realize for yourself the things about G-d mentioned above also.

3.) Getting a good amount of sleep the night before.

So that’s my mussar (practical advice for improving one’s life) for today. Don’t forget that first impressions are often the longest lasting and most impacting…so let the first impression made on our minds in the morning be one of thankfulness and appreciation!

I’ve now been in Israel two months and wanted to give an update of what’s going on in my world for those that are interested.

Our yeshiva has grown to about 23 guys now (I think) and that’s the full group. As a group we’re starting to normalize socially with our new “audience” and environment, and I’ve adapted to our tedious learning schedule. For several weeks I’ve had trouble falling asleep. This often happens to me in cycles…not sure why, not sure how to predict. Thank G-d I was able to procure a fan and the white noise it provides has been really helpful in finding that elusive companion known as slumber.

We’re holding at about a daf (page) or so a week in our Gemara shiur. My Gemara reading skills have improved quite a bit. Having not really any skills to speak of beforehand, I guess anything is an improvement. I’m retaining a lot of information despite the disadvantage of my age and I am most thankful for this. In fact, I’m thankful for so much in my life and I do my best to thank the Creator of the Universe everyday for being in Israel and learning Torah full-time (which has been a goal of mine for years), for excellent health, food in my stomach, a roof over my head, clothing, for good faculties, function of all my five senses, for amazing friends and family, and for having another day in the service of Hakodesh Baruch Hu (The Holy One, blessed be He).

Out of everything I’m learning here (which is a lot), I most appreciate the Chumash class. Chumash, as a short answer, refers to the 5 Books of Moses. The Chumash is broken down into different readings for each week of the year, and during the week we study that particular parasha (portion) before the public reading on Shabbat. Anyhoo, we have an in-depth study of the portion during the week using the commentary by Rashi and taught by our Rosh Yeshiva (head honcho), Rabbi Gershenfeld who is a world-wide recognized Chumash chacham (guy who really knows his stuff). This class has been life-changing. I’ve read through the Torah several times in the last few years, but the depth that he draws from the text and shares with is some next level stuff. There is such depth to the personalities of the Bible that you just don’t get by reading it without the Oral Tradition. Very impressive…and worth the price of admission alone.

As far as exciting stuff, not too much goes on. I guess in many ways this is a good thing. Once in a while we have a shiur (class) at the Kotel (such as last night) and that’s always powerful. A few times we went to a “kosher bar” on Ben Yehuda Street. It’s quite the experience seeing guys with yarmulkes and girls with long sleeves and skirts in the bar scene. It’s pretty therapeutic to get out of the yeshiva from time to time though I must say. Some guys never leave except to go to meals on Shabbat…I’d go crazy doing that.
The weather here has turned pretty cold and wet, and almost overnight. I really prefer this kind of weather (for a season), and am currently enjoying it. Not sure what else to report. If anyone has any specific questions, please don’t hesitate to let me know via this blog or on Facebook. Until next time…

Rosh HaShanah seems so long ago now…I’m writing after the completion of the High Holiday season and I’m not the same person I was a mere few weeks ago.

Hashem has been so very kind to me in regards to His festivals.  By that I mean, my experiences on these days usually transcend what’s written in the prayer book, Torah reading for the day, shiurim (sermons), etc., and often these expereinces correlate with the theme of the festival.

For example, several years ago I was “let off” by the Air Force which was downsizing at the time, and it was just in time for the High Holidays of that year (2006).  I was still getting paid through Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, but about the time Sukkot rolled around the paychecks had stopped and bills were due.  Now, when we build Sukkot (booths) we’re attempting to recreate the temporary dwellings that the Children of Israel built when traversing the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt.  In doing this, we’re reminding ourselves of 1.) Where we came from and 2.) That it is Hashem that protects us/sustains us, not our own hands.  Just as His Cloud of Glory/Pillar of Fire protected Israel in the Wilderness, He continues to protect and sustain Israel today.

So, that being established, after being reminded of approaching bills with zero income, with no job on the horizon with ushpizin (guests) on the way to eat in the sukkah…I didn’t know what to do, or how to “fix it” and I decided to just trust Hashem to help me, and I’d continue my job search after the holiday and things would work out.  G-d did one better.  Just before we sat down to dinner I got a call from a friend who pulled weight at his firm and he told me he talked to the owner and he was willing to hire me and I can start right after the holiday.  Talk about timing!

There was also one year in Spring that I was working in Cairo for less than minimum wage and Passover was coming up…ok, joking about that one, but this year’s Rosh HaShanah was similar to my Sukkot several years ago.

The synagogue I was to daven at had morning prayers starting at sunrise which I think meant I had to get up before 5 a.m. (which I hadn’t done in awhile) and walk to the shul while it was still dark.  On the way, we heard the Muslim call to prayer over a loud speaker from the next town over…I thought it was kind of ironic  or something like that.

To say I was tired is an understatement.  I was nodding off almost from the beginning of the prayer service.  I found it impossible to concentrate, to really feel what I was saying, etc.  It was just awful.  During the rabbi’s shiur I just plain fell asleep with my head on the desk.  Basically I drifted through the service in a dream-like state and felt awful the whole time…wanting to eat or do something to wake me up.  I couldn’t believe that on such a holy day I was not where I needed to be mentally.  Eventually the service ended…I shuffled home, we had lunch and I struggled through the rest of the day, and then everything repeated again the next day (Rosh HaShanah is two days long, even in Israel which usually has one day long festivals).

Again, same thing.  I even went to bed at a reasonable hour to no avail.  Walked in a zombie, during prayer was a zombie…during shiur asleep again.  I was getting angry at myself.  The coronation of the King over Kings of Kings was taking place before me and I felt like a wicked, lethargic servant.  Then it happened.  We didn’t blow the shofar on the first day because it fell on Shabbat, but on this second day we blew the shofar (which is the main commandment of the holiday) and when I heard that crisp blast of the ram’s horn, it immediately removed all of my lethargy, and I kid you not, I became simultaneously alert, focused, awed and grateful to be able to call G-d my King.  It was simply amazing…and to be honest, that single moment was more powerful and meaningful to me than the two previous days praying for this very same thing.

I also felt that the experience was to be a lesson of a sort.  That we (klal Israel) need to wake up, shake off the dust, and arise!  To stop messing around and start taking Torah and the lifestyle it demands seriously.  To appear in darkness, light needs to just be a spark…but to penetrate and overcome darkness, the light needs to be overwhelming.  That’s what klal Israel needs to strive for as we embrace the commandment to be a Light to the Nations.

The first week of class I kept looking for ways to sneak out to see the Kotel (Western Wall).  I mean, it’s the highlight of the tour so to speak and I didn’t want to spend another moment nearby but not seeing it.  It didn’t take long to find out that another student wanted to go also, and we decided to go on our day off (Friday).  We took a cab instead of the bus because of time constraints and we VERY quickly arrived at out destination in typical Israeli cab driver fashion.

Several years of anticipation had built up to this moment.  How would I react?  Would I cry?  Would I smile?  I cried when I ordered my ticket, surely I’d cry as I approached the Wall…

We went through the metal detectors and entered the main walkway.  Just around the corner you could see the Wall with the Dome just above it.  At this point there is a custom to rend your garment as a sign of mourning…that the Temple is destroyed, and that there is a mosque where the Temple should be.  It just so happened that I went after midday on the eve of Shabbat (Sabbath) and public mourning is prohibited, but I for sure did it in spirit.

As I approached the Kotel for the first time, I remember very clearly that I didn’t cry….but I also remember such a profound silence.  I didn’t hear talking, birds….or even my own thoughts.  It was like time stood still.  At last I reached the Wall and kissed it tenderly, and still without tears just said over and over “thank you, thank you, thank you”.  I was just extremely thankful to be able to be there and was just so overwhelmed with finally making it.  Visiting the Kotel has been a personal goal of mine for years, and at last all the patience has finally paid off.

Since that first visit, I’ve returned to the Kotel at least once a week, each time has been special/powerful in its own way.  One evening the yeshiva went as a group and davened maariv there.  It was so powerful to pray there as a group…it’s hard to describe.  I just realized that every Jewish prayer in the world goes to the Kotel.  I was literally surrounded by the prayers of the Jewish people on their way to Hashem.  You can feel the power pass through and over you as you stand there….it’s surreal!

One day soon, I hope we merit seeing the rebuilding of the Holy Temple, the return of the Jewish people to their Land, and the arrival of Mashiach and the ultimate redemption.

I grabbed a van from the airport to the yeshiva.  The drive I think was about 45 min…I managed to doze off a few times so I’m not really sure.  On this van were several girls going to seminary (Jewish girl’s school) that were complaining about the lack of air conditioning…not a good start in my opinion upon entry to the holiest place on earth.

I arrived at the yeshiva, walked in and was greeted by a few of the guys.  Got the grand tour and shown my room.  The school is essentially three floors inside of an apartment building.  Bottom floor is kitchen/dining area with a few rooms, middle floor is the beit midrash and classrooms, and the top floor has the bulk of the rooms and the laundry room.

Within 20 mins of arriving at the yeshiva, I was already learning gemara (please see my glossary for this, and other such terms) in the evening preparation class.  This yeshiva doesn’t mess around.

I had a room to myself this first week…no a/c but a window that opens onto the main street and perfect, perfect weather.

I went to bed early to attempt to adapt to the sleep cycle, ended up waking up at 6 a.m. and that’s when I went around taking some of the first pictures including my first sunrise in Israel.

I discovered that the students don’t lead davening here which was disappointing, but not a huge deal.

We have an Israeli cook named Ricki that is AMAZING…I haven’t eaten this well in years!  Mostly meat dishes of the Sephardic fare.  She’s also great to practice Hebrew with.  I now also have a paid job at the yeshiva as the “morning purchaser”.  Basically I get a list from Ricki and head down to the local shop before davening and buy some things for her.  Another opportunity to practice Hebrew.

My daily schedule is as follows:

- 0730 Morning Prayer

Breakfast

- 0930 Morning Gemara Shiur (class)

- 1200 Halacha or other various topics with varying rabbis teaching

- Afternoon Prayers

- Lunch/Break

- 1530 Chumash with Rashi (Bible)

-1700 Mesillat Yesharim (Path of the Just–a guide to ethical behavior)

-1830 Evening Gemara Shiur

-1945 Gemara tutoring

-2030 Evening Prayers

After this formal schedule, most guys stay up a few more hours working on Gemara and other stuff.  I usually learn gemara for about an hour with my chavruta (learning partner) and then work on my modern Hebrew.

The group of guys here is very impressive.  I almost feel out of place.  We have several guys who were physics and math majors, financial planners, an Arabic linguist, Computer Science majors, chemists, etc and then me…the Sociology major.  The intelligence factor here is quite evident.  The rabbeim (rabbis) also are most impressive.  We have a rabbi here that graduated from Juliard at 15, and finished his PhD at 21 in quantum mechanics just for starters.

I thought of a few funny websites…hopefully they never come to light:

Jihad Me at Hello—a fundamental Muslim dating site

Jews for Juices—a kosher, health drink site

So much time has passed already since I mentioned updating this journal that I’m afraid I will leave something out, but G-d willing I won’t.

The Departure:

My friend Danny dropped me off at the airport, and it’s the first time that I’ve been flying in quite a while.  I went though check-in and and security with no issues and borded the plan destined for Frankfurt, Germany also without incident.  On the plane I sat next to a talkative American soldier on his way to be stationed to Germany on one side, and an Indian woman on the other.  Yes, I was scrunched in the middle.

I tend to avoid conversation on planes.  I’m not sure why, but I do.  I’m not interested enough in the stranger next to me to wonder where it is they are going or why, but if someone initiates such an exchange I do oblige them.  Thankfully, the talkative solder was sleepy and went to sleep quickly after take off.  The flight was long and boring.  I don’t sleep on planes at all, especially when I’m scrunched into a tiny area.

I usually travel incognito, i.e. wear a hat over my yarmulke, because I have a theory (that has yet to be proven false) that when I travel with a yarmulke in plain sight, I encourage more conversation of a different nature.  Also, security is more “thorough”.  On the plane, this was harder to hide since I ordered the kosher meal, and the flight attendant had to reach across other passengers just to ask me if I did in fact order the kosher meal.  By the way, I got my food before anyone else…even before they passed out the drinks.  This is probably the real reason (or at least another) why non-Jews don’t like Jews…we get fed first on planes.

I was flying Lufthansa and I couldn’t help but appreciate the irony of having Germans fly me to Israel.  More interestingly, when arriving in Germany on Wednesday morning, I davened shacharit (morning prayers) in the airport terminal with a few other guys, which was a pretty powerful statement.  The terminal for the Tel Aviv flight had an extra security section and separate entrance too…another statement being made there.

On the flight to Tel Aviv (again being scrunched in the middle of a three seat section), I saw a man with his number tattoo from a concentration camp on the flight…and I’m sure he noticed the irony of flying a German airline.  Amazingly enough, the woman next to me was German, Jewish and moving to Israel in hopes of making aliyah (immigrating).  We both cried as the plane landed and taxi’d to the gate…

B”H I was accepted to Machon Shlomo yeshiva in Har Nof, Jerusalem, Israel and am leaving 1 September.  I plan on journaling as much as possible, where I’m visiting, who I’m meeting and what I’m learning for those interested to read along.  Hopefully the updates will be pretty frequent…depending on how much free time I have