At the
beginning of this week’s parsha, Yaacov prepares for an encounter with his
brother Eisav whom had previously set out to kill him. As the first step in his
preparations Yaacov sends messengers to recap to his brother what he has been
up to since they last saw each other. One of the things Yaacov tells the
messengers to tell Eisav is that he had lived in the house of Lavan for the
last few years (Bereisheit 32:5). Rashi comments on this verse noting the fact
that not only did Yaacov live with Lavan but “ The 613 mitzvot he kept.” In
other words Yaacov stayed true to the ways of Hashem and his Torah throughout
the time he spent in the house of Lavan.Yaacov
remained true to the ways of Hashem despite the hardships that he faced both
while living with Lavan, in other words all the times Lavan cheats him while
there.
The
Jewish peoples current situation in the land of Israel is not the easiest. Over
the past few weeks, the ongoing series of attacks which seemed to have calmed
down have seemed to unfortunately worsen. However, like Yaacov Avinu we
continue to “ Keep the 613 Mitzvot” and strengthen our connection to God and
his Torah.
There
are many ways which are people have done this. Here however, are some examples
I saw just yesterday. Yesterday I attended a wedding of a friend showing our
commitment to rebuild our people despite the tragedies we have gone through.
Later that night I attended the post wedding festivities which the entire
country and for that matter the entire Jewish people were invited in
celebration of the wedding of Ariel and Sarah Beigel Wedding at Binyanei
Haeumah. For those who do not know Sarah Beigel, the bride at this wedding’s,
father and brother were tragically murdered on the way to celebrate the Ufruf of
their son-inlaw a few weeks ago. However, despite all of this they still were
able to celebrate their wedding and use it as an opportunity to unite the
Jewish people amongst the current waves of terror and the loss of their loved
ones.
I
arrived at the wedding, following the previous wedding I was at, at around
11:10 pm Israel time. The hall were the wedding was however, was packed to
capacity and I was not able to get in. To my dismay, with the exception of
something Breslov Chasidim it looked like not as much dancing was going on
outside of the hall. Suddenly however, I
noticed a large crowd of American Yeshiva students dancing. I soon realized
this crowd however, was not just any group of American Yeshiva students but
students and Rebbeim from Yeshivat Ashreinu, the Yeshiva which 18 year old Ezra
Schwartz H’’YD had been a student before he was murdered by terroists last week
in Gush Etzion. Together we sang the song “ Ashreinu Ma Tov Chalkeinu” praiseworthy
how great is our lot (i.e. how happy are we that we are part of the Jewish
people that has a special relationship with our creator). I was in awe over how
these students and Rebbeim could still feel a strong connection to God despite
the terrible loss of their friend and student.
Earlier
that night, many of the post-Highschool American Yeshivot and Seminaries also
gathered together for a memorial service and Kumtzitz (slow singing) in memory
of Ezra Schwartz. While I was not there
a friend of mine posted on Facebook a moment which I felt was one of the major
highlights of this event. The highlight was a speech given by the head of the
Yeshiva which Ezra attended Rabbi Gotch Yudin. As part of the speech Rabbi
Gotch spoke about how the Yeshiva was aiming to finish all of Tanach (i.e. all
of the bible the five books of the Torah, Prophets and Writings) which Ezra had
wanted to try and accomplish while in yeshiva over the course of this year.
Like
Yaacov Avinu we continue to, despite the tough times we may currently face,
still “ Keep the Mitzvot” and even more so use it to strengthen our commitment
to Hashem.
May we know, no more tragedies and may Moschiach come soon.
Good Shabbos, Shabbat Shalom, Gut Shabbes- Gidon Herschander
16 Kislev,5776 Yerushalayim Ir Hakodesh
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