Messages From A
Lost Israeli #4

Many years ago, Rabbis would only deliver divray torah to their kehilot (congregations) twice a year - on Shabbat Hagadol (Shabbat preceding Pesach), and this Shabbat Shuva, which lies between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Their addresses would be lengthy, but rare. Hopefully this d'var torah will not seem overly long and yet will still be enjoyable.

In the movie Braveheart, Mel Gibson beseeches the future Queen, begging: "you must open your eyes", and assist the Scottish people in their plight for freedom. I feel that a central theme of the Yamim Nora'im (High Holidays) is opening our eyes. Despite the fact that I have only been in Israel for a month, I have experienced many eye-opening moments that have taught me about influencing other people, and changing ourselves for the better. Last week, the entire Nativ group dressed up as clowns and visited various hospitals in the Jerusalem area. We sang and spent time with the patients, bringing a smile upon their faces. We brightened their day wishing them a shana tova. Equally as important, they opened our eyes, teaching us about the small things that they enjoy. Even though they are sick and in the hospital, they are revelling in the New Year's atmosphere. When they have the chance to speak to people, even strangers, it puts a huge smile on their face. When one of our clowns gave a candy to a young child, a cheeyuch (smile) the size of a rainbow shone across the hall. Their eyes are open, and they can see the good in any bad situation.

Last week on Rosh Hashana, we read from sefer Breishit. In two different stories, we notice that both of the main characters do not see the full picture- their eyes are not fully open. In chapter 21, verse 15 and 19, Hagar is incredibly distressed, as her son Yishmael is on the brink of death (they had been travelling in the desert and he required water), she does not realize that she had placed him beside a bush:

"And the water was finished from the vessel, and she placed the child underneath one of the plants"

In order for plants to grow, they tend to require water. Considering this, and the fact that in the following verse, there is no mention of a miracle from God, we can tell that it is only Hagar's lack of noticing the obvious that she cried out to Him. Verse 19 states

"And God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water"

Avraham also falls guilty to obscured vision. The angel of God points out that he should not sacrifice Yitzchak, and then we see, in Chapter 22, Verse 13:

And Avraham lifted his eyes, and saw there was a lamb"

Both Avraham and Hagar missed the blessings that were in front of them, both of which would save their sons. They did not notice the wells of water or the lamb. However, God opened their eyes so that they could find these b'rachot which ended up saving the lives of their sons. They lived in a time when God spoke directly to people. However, we do not have this relationship with God. Every morning we pray pokeach ivreem, praying God for giving sight to the blind. But we can not rely on God - we have to look for ourselves to find the good in every situation.

We must ensure that our eyes our open, as there are many people who watch us. They are witnesses to our everyday actions. This Shabbat, we read parshat Ha'azinu, which opens Chapter 32, Verse 1:

"Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; and hear O earth, the words of my mouth"

In Moshe's final address to the people, he opens by asking the heavens and earth to take part in his meaningful song. This seems a little out of place, as the speech is meant to be for the people. Rashi comments: "'Give ear, O heavens' and 'hear O earth' are present as I (God) am warning Israel, and you are witnesses in this matter, that I said to them that you will be witnesses. Moses said that I am flesh and blood, and tomorrow I shall be dead. If the Israelites will say that they did not receive the covenant, who will come and refute them? Therefore, he called on the heavens and earth, witnesses that will endure forever."

Rashi is stating that they will always be watching us, ensuring that we are following the moral path of God and Torah. However, they have a further obligation - they ensure that we keep our eyes open. Rashi continues:

"Furthermore, if they (the Israelites) should act worthily the witnesses can give them reward - the vine might yield fruit... but if they should act sinfully, the hand of the witnesses may be against them... there will be no rain..."

We notice that the heavens and earth survey us, and further they provide positive or negative consequences that are dependent on our actions. We must open our eyes, trying to help out those around us, and in return we can receive miracles.

On Yom Kippur, we read from parshat Vayikra. Chapter 16, verse 1, states:

"And God spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aharon"

Rashi relates this section to a parable of Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah:

"It may be compared to the case of a sick person whom a doctor visits. The physician states: 'Do not eat cold things or sleep in a damp place'. A second doctor came and said to the sick person: 'Do not eat cold things or sleep in a damp place so that you may not die like Ploni (another person did)'. Certainly the latter puts him on guard more than the former."

God is emphasizing that Aharon and the Kohanim must be careful with their actions. They must not follow in the wrongdoings of the sons of Aaron, who abused their power and brought improper sacrifices in the mishkan. This emphasis on avoiding the path of improper action relates directly to the reading on Rosh Hashana. Despite the fact that Avraham lived as a great tzaddik, even he made a mistake. He did not open his eyes. He was blinded by his ultimate devotion to God, so much that he almost killed his own son. Hagar was so distraught about her son's illness that she did not open her eyes. The Yom Kippur text, emphasizing how Aharon and the Kohanim must not follow in the footsteps of Nadav and Abihu teaches that we must remember the mistake that Avraham and Hagar made, and ensure that we avoid making this mistake ourselves.

Sitting on the meerpeset (balcony) in the most beautiful city on earth, I, along with 50 other Nativers, are all trying to keep our eyes as open as we can. We are all growing in maturity, intellectually, spiritually, and religiously. We are all trying to experience everything that Israel has to offer. And most of all, we are all striving to integrate ourselves in Israeli society, attempting to contribute to the country that has given so much to her people. I hope that all of you will come soon to visit and open your eyes with us.

It is my prayer for all of we that we will keep our eyes open, watching over our actions and attempting to help those around us, as there are eternal witnesses watching everything we do. It is our mission to pursue the good in every person and every situation, as they are ever-present: it is just a question of whether our vision is obscured or not.

G'mar chatimah tovah.