The Gates of Repentance

This is a fragment from Rabbeinu Yonah's Gates of Repentance, that reminds me a lot of some literary motives in the work of F. Kafka. I do not have any information though that Kafka was familiar with those writings.

'In the Midrash (Kohelles Rabbah 7:`15), our Sages, of blessed memory, compared his situation to that of a band of thieves. Having been captured and imprisoned by the king, together they dug a tunnel through which to escape the dungeon. All escaped but one gang member, who was afraid of the unknown path which lay before him. When the jail warden discovered the breach and saw the man who saw the man who stayed behindm he began strike him with his rod, exclaiming: 'Miserable soul! Don't you see the breach opened wide before you - why did you not seize the opportunity to save yourself as well?' (Shaarei Teshuvah I:2)

Light vs. rockets

You don't need to know one of the miluim drafted in the last days to realize how close the danger are. You may only wonder why everything is going so slowly and why in the last 7 years, everything went worse. We were supposed to have peace, isn't it? Or I did not grasp correctly the message in 2005?

Israel is one of the most developed country in the world, producing bright minds and Nobel Prize Winners, a country in the forefront of science and technology. Isn't it ridiculous to risk the life of our citizens because of some underdeveloped morons that don't have anything to offer to their people than bombs and the bright professional choice of qualified suicide bombers? Isn't it a shame for the Western civilization to accept the reign of terror imposed by Hamas and their cronies?

And what we are doing in time of crisis? We unite, join our prayers, learn, do charity, sing and hope that this will also come to pass. In the month of Kislev, when we are about to celebrate Hanukka, we give another example of humanity. We turn into our books or to our military basis and fight for light. 

'Behold, the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps!'

Chessed

Watching the social media feeds during and after 'Sandy' it was impossible to do not notice the wave of chessed that went far beyond Brooklyn: people ready to donate clothes and to host Shabbos meals, yeshivot mobilized to welcome people in need, children ready to help their parents to prepare more space for those without electricity or whose houses were destroyed overnight.

The generosity went beyond our 'tribe' as many offered their homes and food to anyone in need in the Brooklyn area and beyond. Very often I try to understand how we can be 'light into the nations', but such examples of human involvement are the proof that we can show to the world how to move forward in case of deep sadness and when a helping hand is needed.

This article from the New York Times can also show what we can do for those in need. 

The article is four years old, but the force of the example is still important. 

We need to have more articles in the mainstream media. With a pinch of chessed we can change the world.

When it is better to keep silent

Blogging and social media in general opened the door to a lot of temptations. One is that you want to share as much as possible about your personal ups and downs first online instead of talking with a friend, a rabbi or anyone close to you that may known. It is a certain voyeurism and a temptation of public drama that pushes many blog authors to keep us updated with their marriage failures, unaccomplished shidduchim dreams or any other personal aspects that could be important for the moment, but could harm the credibility of the person on the long term. When other people on the same wavelength use the information to spread lashon hara, those person consider themselves victims, and of course they are, but first and foremost of their own naivity.

Sooner or later, it pays back.

Also, each mistake that it is not corrected in time, pays back more than ten times. Sometimes it is the direct responsibility of the community to rebuke those who make mistakes, even they are considered wise persons with immense knowledge. Being indifferent when some small abuses or infringements take place could create a lot of problems for the community. It may be an innocent touch, but when it is done more than 3 times, it is a minhag, Is the community keen to accept it?

The mistake may be that some could be considered powerful and rich and wise and unique sources of authorities. Their mistakes remind us that it is only one judge and only one holy way. I don't want to call people 'holy', not because lack of respect, but because I believe in the humanity of each of us, that gives us the possibility to correct our mistakes, before it is too late.

In such cases, the Internet could be used as a weapon to reveal the truth, but the choice of wording is very important to prevent the spread of lashon hara. 

Each day is a new occasion to do mitzvos and improve our character treats. Thinking twice and being able to focus on ideas rather than on persons could help to improve the world. This may be a good defense against any odds that may endanger us, often the result of our indifference. 

Amid Aleppo violence, fate unknown for one of Judaism's greatest buildings | The Times of Israel

Amid Aleppo violence, fate unknown for one of Judaism's greatest buildings | The Times of Israel

Happy 5773!

For me and my family, 5772 was a full year, with a lot of personal changes, ups and downs, discoveries and understanding of the power of silence when no need is for worries, as long as Hashem is guiding us.

Wasn't always easy, but looking back I cannot be but amazed by the tremendous process I went through. 

And I wish to have the wisdom and force to continue for many years from now.

Shana tova and may all be written in the Book of life!

Be back soon after 5773 is here!

The forgotten refugees

The fate of the Jews from Arab countries is a topic that was not addressed accordingly and sometimes I wondered why. Instead, I've heard very often, including among other Jews, what a better life some Sephardim had in the Arab lands. Being a little bit familiar with stories of refugees and survivors I never realized from where this stereotype originated.

Maybe there were not pogroms and crusades and not too much religious awakening and extremism, but I met many former Yemeni Jews who were forced to change their religion. Sadly enough, many Askenazim used to have fun of their Mizrahi neighbors calling them 'Arabs', but they did not know that they were forced to learn this Arabic. Similarly as many of the Askenazim needed to learn the language of the place - Russian, Frech, German, Hungarian or English etc. - as the only way to be accepted and got professional success. More than all of us, they understand very well what does it mean to deal with the Arab world, their prejudices and stereotypes. 

I wonder why it took so long until the media approached the issue of ethnic cleansing of Jews from the Arab lands. There are so many people for decades talking about the fate of the 'Palestinian refugees' - many leaving the country at the advice of their leaders - but not too many were curious to find out what happened with the Mizrahi Jews. They don't have where to go, their property were stolen and their chances to see the graves where their families rest aren't almost impossible. The rich culture of Mizrahi Jews were took upon in Israel, where many found their home after being forced to leave. 

We are used to think about the strong Zionism of the Jews from Europe and America, but we hardly remember the brave Mizrahi and Sephardim who suffered a lot for being Jews. Many left their houses with their kids in their hand and nothing in their pockets, their properties being held illegally by their Arab hosts. 

After the fall of communism, in many Eastern European countries, a symbolic restitution was sometimes possible. Our brethren from the Arab lands can't have their houses back. Some were even stolen their memories and their religion. 

Better late than never, the world should know more about their fate, and hope that more and more testimonies will be collected and published. Until it is not too late.