Soul Effects

~ This is dedicated to God's protection over our brothers in battle in Israel. May we all pray for them and increase in goodness in the merit of their safety ~

A preschool teacher was once teaching her class. Taking out a few pictures depicting the weather, she points to the first picture which depicts a sunny day, and asks: "Class, what's the weather here?" 

"Sunny!" Everyone yells.

How did they know? Simply because they saw the sun and its rays. Next came a picture depicting a rainy day. The children all guess correctly again, pointing to the dark clouds and numerous rain drops.Out came the 3rd picture.

"What's the weather here?" asks the teacher.
"It's windy!" Everyone yells.
But how did the children know? Unlike the sunny day or rainfall, there's no wind to point to. 

The children could see the effects of the wind - the leaves flying off, the man and kite bending backward, and more. Love works like this as well. It can't be seen, weighed or heard. But its effects on our lives are clear. 

Radio waves as well. They're everywhere even though we don't see them. If one brings a radio into their room and turns it on, the waves can be heard; they just needed a proper vessel to be expressed. 

The soul too can't be seen and it can't be heard. But its effects are apparent. Like radio waves, the soul too needs a body to express itself and to carry out its purpose. Through a smile, a laugh, a tear, or a moving experience, we can see hints of the soul. 

If we look at the Hebrew words for wind and rain, we discover something fascinating. Wind is Ruach, as is the word for soul/spirit. Spirituality/matters of spirit is known as Ruchaniyut. Like the wind in the picture, the spiritual can't be seen. Rain in Hebrew is Geshem, and  physicality is called Gashmiut. Rain, like all things physical, is clear and apparent. 

Judaism teaches that a spiritual, Godly life force exists and sustains all of reality. It may not be seen, but through its effects - such as the movement of life and the Divine Providence in our lives and so much more, we can deduce its existence. Each of us are holy souls passing ourselves off as just pieces of flesh (some with better abs than others). The challenge is to notice that which isn't readily apparent, to see with our mind's eye, sensing the subtleties of this world, the silent underlying force pulsing through our bodies and this universe. Sometimes it doesn't take a miracle or momentous occasion, but rather a simple, subtle, silent moment in nature.

...And a great and strong wind splitting mountains and shattering boulders before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake-not in the earthquake was the Lord. After the earthquake - fire, not in the fire was the Lord. And after the fire came a still, soft voice. (Kings 1, Ch.19:11-12)

Shabbat Shalom from Tzfat, Israel!

Preparing for Battle

This past week, hundreds of rockets have rained on Israeli cities from the Gaza Strip. Despite the fear felt within Israel and in the Jewish community, there has also been an amazing display of unity and resilience among our worldwide community. While casualties on both sides are regrettable and awful, the ability for a free nation to provide safety and normalcy to its people when attacked is a necessary and fundamental right. Make no mistake, it is Islamic terror groups in Gaza (and now Lebanon) who are forcing Israel into action, not vice versa.

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Years ago, I met a French man who had immigrated to Israel in the late 1980’s. In 1991, while living in Tel Aviv, Saddam Hussein rained 39 scud missiles on his city. When the dust had settled, not one Israeli had been killed by the rocket fire. To give us an idea of how incredible this was, one scud missile in February of that year struck a U.S. army base in Saudi Arabia, killing 28 and wounding 98. This man was so moved by the miracles in front of his eyes, that he renewed a stronger bond to Judaism and God in his life.

Does Judaism emphasize practicality and safety, or pure faith and trust in God's assistance? One of the earliest examples of dealing with threat of conflict in the Torah is seen with our forefather Jacob's meeting with his brother Esau and his army. First, Jacob sent messengers of good will and peace to his brother. He asked that he forget the old grievances of the past. Jacob had experienced great hardship during the past twenty years under the conniving Laban, whereas Esau was now a great chieftain. The messengers returned with disappointment. They had failed in their mission, and reported that Esau and his army seemed in the mood for a fight.

Jacob had no choice but to prepare for battle against his brother. He wisely divided his camp into two, so that one could escape if the other were defeated. Only then, feeling that safety and deliverance were in the hands of G-d alone, he prayed that He be with him in this fight against the superior troops of Esau.

Even though he had prepared for war, Jacob did not abandon hope for a friendly settlement with Esau. He sent servants bearing rich presents for Esau, to try and arouse his compassion. At the same time, he fervently prayed to G-d to turn Esau’s anger into a feeling of brotherhood.

Peace talks have failed time and again. The prospect of a lasting and practical peace for both sides must be pursued, but in the meantime Israel must deal with the reality of the situation, preparing for war as Jacob did, all the while praying to G-d for protection and a successful outcome. Just as the rockets of the Gulf war in 1991 couldn't kill any Jews, the hundreds of rockets in 2014 have failed as well. G-d's protection in the times of Jacob apply now more than ever. The Iron Dome has proven a true gift from G-d, through the incredible intelligence and ingenuity of Israel's Technicians at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.

But what can we can do to help? Just as Jacob placed his faith in Divine protection, while doing everything he could practically to achieve success, so can we. Together with advocating for Israel's right to self defense in our newspapers, on social media and on radio, our prayers and good deeds can serve as a spiritual boost of energy to our Israeli family. We have the right to bare arms with the Mitzvah of Tefillin, and light up the darkness of the world with Shabbat candles Friday evening. May our prayers and increase in goodness lead G-d to finally end conflict and pain for our people and the world, once and for all, speedily in our days.

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem!

Rabbi Daniel Bortz

Twins in the Womb

This Email is dedicated to our fallen brothers of Israel, Eyal Yirfrach, Gilad Shaar, and Naftali Frankel

Imagine twins living peacefully in their Mother's womb. They're happily enjoying their 9 month vacation, being fed via the navel, every need accounted for. The whole world, to these twins, is the interior of the womb. As they grow They begin to wonder: “Surely if this continues, we will exit this world one day. What will happen after we leave?”

 

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The first infant tells the other: “I think that after this, there will be a new and great world. We will experience so much more! We will see amazing wonders over great distances, we'll hear through our ears and taste all types of foods with our mouths, we'll walk with our feet and think up endless ideas with our brains!"

The second child looks skeptically at his twin: “You’re crazy! You have a great imagination, but you have no proof. You are looking for something to calm your fear of the unknown. There is only this world that we experience. If you ask me, I think when we leave this environment, we will sink into oblivion. Nothing. A black void. An end to consciousness. This may not be comforting, but it's the logical outcome.”

Suddenly, the water inside the womb bursts. Upheaval & Turmoil. The optimistic twin exits to the sound of shouts from loving family members and friends. The second twin bewails and bemoans the tragedy - Why him?

This analogy pertains to our lives in this physical world, where a spiritual reality isn't readily apparent. However, unlike the twins in the story who had very little access to perceiving a greater reality than they're own, we have endless opportunities and insights int the spiritual, from the infinite complexities and beauty of our universe, to the wisdom of the Torah and the miracle which is the land of Israel.

As we mourn the loss of our loved ones, may we be comforted in the knowledge that there is more than what we see, and that those who leave this world, move to a better reality, greeted by loved ones.

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem!