Messages From A
Lost Israeli #5

It is so difficult for me to describe my amazing Yom Kippur experience. I spent Kol Nidrei at a minyan in the Rovah, near the Cardo. My madrichah's (staff member's) father lead the tefillot, and the ruach in the air was incredible. Singing Carlebach niggunim mixed with the powerful traditional High Holiday tunes and nusach, while still maintaining a fast-paced service will permanently stick in mind as a spiritually uplifting moment. Following this, my friends and I visited the Kotel, witnessing minyanim finishing their tefillot, and listening to various Rabbis delivering sermons. Then, walking home, noticing how all of the lights in the intersections are TURNED OFF - not blinking yellow or red - but completely turned off, as there were no cars on the road. Kids are biking in the streets, people are walking home from shuls - and we only saw a rare police car or ambulance driving. After enjoying the morning service at Yemin Moshe, I along with some fellow Nativers returned there for Mincha. Halfway through, a man told us that his wife had broken her leg, and asked if we would mind joining him in making a minyan at his house so that she could hear Ne'ilah. We entered the large apartment, and immediately noticed its beauty. Then, the shaliach tzibur (leader of the minyan) began Ashrei, and we walked out onto their balcony. It was directly overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem!!! We prayed to God, while watching the Jerusalem sky turn from orange to red, purple to darkness - imagining the Gates of Heaven slowly closing. I turned to my friend, and all I could say was, "It just does not get any better than this!" Then, singing l'shana haba'a b'yerushalayim stands out as the most meaningful incident when I have said those three words. I could only think, "Hopefully next year, I will be back in Jerusalem". Then, upon arriving at Beit Nativ, we could hear random shofarot being blasted in the streets, shouting to the whole city that the chag has ended. This 25 hour period will remain in my mind for years to come. While these types of experiences are critical to our being, we must take them one step further, and incorporate them in our attempt towards bettering ourselves.

We are concluding a long period of reflection. For the past 40 days, beginning in Elul and climaxing in Yom Kippur, we have been pondering our actions over the past year, and how we can improve them for the rest of our lives. However, we still have a small opening, where we can continue to beg God for forgiveness for any sins from the past year- until a week from yesterday, Hoshana Raba. On that day, we stop saying Psalm 21, and conclude our official time of repentance.

For every one of the shalosh regalim (Pilgrimage festivals) a megillah is read. Immediately preceding the Torah reading on Shemini Atzeret, we read Kohelet (Ecclesiastes). This book is studied intensely in Biblical philosophy courses. The main character, Kohelet, is searching for answers. He wants to discover the purpose of humankind in this world. Is it to be wise, intelligent? Or is it to be wealthy? He is constantly toying with many ideas about his observations in life, and philosophizes about how we should act.

It is very fitting for us to read Ecclesiastes this Shabbat, because it reminds us to continue contemplating about where we fit in life. Many people alter their behaviour only for the days preceding Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. However, just as I intend on carrying that spiritual revelation, and just as many Nativers will never forget this fast that meant so much, I hope that each of us will strive to be a better person every day of the year, and not forget the lessons of the Yamim Noraim once they have passed.

Ecclesiastes concludes, chapter 12 verses 13 and 14:

"The sum of the matter, when all is said and done: Revere God and observe His commandments! For this applies to all humankind; that God will call every creature to account for all their conduct, be it good or bad".

We must all try and learn from our behaviour during the High Holidays, striving to do good, praising God and obeying His Torah. And hopefully, for this year and many to come, we will be inscribed in the Book of Life not solely for our actions in the 40 day period, but for our conduct during the entire year.

Additionally, we act in this fashion to seek enjoyment in our lives. Chapter 11, verse 9 states:

"O youth, enjoy yourself while you are young! Let your heart lead you to enjoyment in the days of your youth. Follow the desires of your heart and the glances of your eyes - but know well that God will call to you on account for all such things".

We also must appreciate and derive pleasure from our lives, while still striving to correct our behaviour. So far, I along with 50 other Nativers have been grateful for every minute in Israel, enjoying all of its elements, and succeeding in integrating this wonderful county into our souls.

While you sit in shul this coming Shabbat and listen to the reading of Kohelet, look deeply into some of its verses. There are many words of wisdom that we can incorporate into our daily lives. Just because Yom Kippur is behind us, we must continue our quest for self-enjoyment and self-improvement.

Shabbat shalom v'chag sameach.