Shalom

Shalom and welcome to my new blog, Ba’Aretz. The word b’aretz means, in Hebrew, “in the Land” which is kind of a shorthand way of saying in the Land of Israel (which is where I am). I plan to write each Erev Shabbat and, with G-d’s help, hope to keep you updated about the miraculous life we lead in the Land of Israel.

Each week I want to bring you some special insight from the weekly Torah portion. Since early in the Babylonian Exile (6th Century B.C.), we have read the Torah aloud in synagogues throughout the world on the Sabbath, as well as on Mondays and Thursdays (market days in the ancient Middle East). The Torah (the first five books of the Bible) has been divided into 54 portions and, beginning the first Shabbat after the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) we read the entire Torah – section after section - in order throughout the year,. We celebrate its completion on Simchat Torah at the end of Sukkot.

This week’s Torah portion is Parashat Ekev (Parashat means “the portion of…”, “Ekev” is the first significant word in the portion) and contains this verse that we all witnessed as true so recently: “For the Lord your G-d is bringing you into a good land, a land with streams and springs and fountains issuing from plain and hill; a land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey… (Deuteronomy 8:7).

Yes, this is a very good land, a blessed land, a land of miracles. And, what a blessing for us all that you were here with us in the Land. You’ve had the chance to see the Jewish people alive again in our own land, to witness all that, with G-d’s help, we have created, and learned about the very complicated and threatening situation in which Israel and all Israelis live.

The latest pronouncement from Hamas, which continues to hold the people of Gaza hostage, which continued this week to fire rockets into S’derot and the surrounding area, which continues to hold our soldier Gilad Shalit captive – now for more than 775 days – is that all Israelis are targets everywhere they travel. No Israeli can ever feel safe anywhere in the world.

This is vacation time for Israelis. Millions are on holiday inside the Land… all hotel rooms are booked, the cities are crowded with tourists, and the Ultra-Orthodox are filling the parks (as they always do the two weeks after the 9th of Av). And millions of Israelis are abroad, as well. But, they are not safe, as Hamas reminds us again and again.

Wednesday, windsurfer Shahar Tzabari won a bronze medal for Israel in the Olympics in China – our first (and perhaps only) medal this year. We’re proud of Shahar and the entire Israeli team (many are new immigrants, four are residents of our town – Herzliya) as we remember the Israeli athletes murdered by Palestinian terrorists at the Munich Games in 1972. Security has improved, but the threat has not lessened.

Stephanie and I want you all to think of us as friends… and resources in Israel. If we can be of any help, in any way, please be in touch!

Shabbat Shalom –