No cemetery but cheese from Zfat

B"H

This afternoon, I was on my way walking down to the famous cemetery of Zfat (Safed). The sun was burning and it was terribly hot. As ususal, I took plenty of photos while walking through Zfat. 

As I was trying to find my way through all those alleyways in the old city, I ended up in front of the house of one of the two local cheese manufacturer, "Kadosh Cheese". The door was open and I expected finding myself in some kind of a cheese store. I was surprised seeing people sitting at a wooden table and having coffee. The shop was not a shop at all but looked like a bigger kitchen. Customers were welcomed to sit down, have coffee and taste all kinds of cheese and olives. I love fresh cheese and, in the end, bought some French cheese as well as homemade goat cheese. Everything just melting on your tongue. Fresh cheese for Shavuot and I just hope that I can transport everything in a save manner to Jerusalem tomorrow. Without anything melting or making a mess.:-)

Having bought the cheese, I quit going to the cemetery but rather took pictures from far away. I went back to my accomodation in order to put the cheese into the fridge. Of course, I couldn't resist tasting some of the delicious cheese but I still have enough left for sharing it with a friend on Shavuot.

A Camembert

Creamy goat cheese

Photos: Miriam Woelke

The inner meaning of Shavuot

Photo: Zipiyah

B"H

On Saturday night and Sunday, the Jews celebrate the festival of Shavuot (weeks). In Israel we only celebrate one day (until Sunday night). Abroad, most Jews have the custom of keeping two days.

On Sivan 6th , G - d gave the Torah to the Jews at Mount Sinai. G – d reminds us several times in the Torah that the Torah itself is eternal and cannot be replaced by anything else. G - d and His Torah do not depend on time, as we do (Bnei Yissachar). After Adam and Eve (Adam and Chava) ate from the Tree of Knowledge, G – d changed the human DNA and made us mortal.

How do we approach Shavuot today ? How can we get exited at all without having been at Mount Sinai when the Torah was given ?

First of all, we do have the concept in Judaism that any souls (Neshamot) ever been created or will be created in the future, have been at Mount Sinai. All of us were there including the converts to Judaism. Before G – d gave the Torah to the Jews, He went to all the nations and asked if they would like to receive the Torah (see Midrash). The nations refused, as according to the Torah, murder, theft, adultery, not keeping kosher etc. are forbidden. However, the other nations did not want to give up their old habits and no changes in society whatsoever. Only the Jews said NA'ASEH VE NISHMA – Let's hear and we will do. The Jews said yes without knowing the conditions (Midrash).

The Vilna Gaon said that actually there were some people among the nations who did want to receive the Torah but G – d only asked their kings who refused. According to the Vilna Gaon, those people are the converts to Judaism today.

How do we prepare ourselves for Shavuot ?
 

First of all, we should internalize the Torah. We need to understand that it is not an ancient book which does not apply to me today. Rabbi Meir Weiner once said at a shiur (class) that each of us should look at the Torah as if it only speaks for himself. This thought might help us to understand the meaning of Shavuot in our days.

Everybody should spiritually prepare himself for this holiday and then we are able to reach higher and higher level and do important Tikkunim of the spiritual worlds. Furthermore, Shavuot is a Chizuk, a strengthening of the souls for all generations (Kuntres Dibrot of Toldot Avraham Yitzchak). All generations still have the eternal Mitzvah of Torah study (Bnei Yissachar). In Judaism we differentiate between different levels of Torah study. The first concept is called PSHAT where we only study on a more or less superficial level. However, our task is to internalize the inner meaning of Torah and Halachot.

During Shacharit (the morning prayer service) we add three additional readings: The Ten Commandments (Aseret HaDibrot), the famous poetic AKDAMOT prayer (written by Rabbi Meir ben Yitzchak in the 11th century) and the Book of Ruth (Megillat Ruth).

Akadamot tells us in a very poetic way about G – d's creation of the world until the World to Come (Olam HaBah). The verses are written according to the Hebrew alphabet and each sentence is being answered with the word TA. TA consists of the letters Aleph and a Tav standing for the first and last letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Symbolically, the word TA represents the whole Torah and that its study is endless.

The Book of Ruth was written by Shmuel HaNavi (the prophet Samuel), as it says in the Gemara in Talmud Bava Batra 14b. But why do we read the Book of Ruth on Shavuot ? 

Ruth was an ancestress of King David and he was born and died on Shavuot. It says that only Zaddikim (righteous people) die on their birthday. Ruth was one of the most important converts to Judaism and, therefore, Shavuot is also the day of the converts.

His whole life, King David had to suffer from bad comments of other people, as his ancestor was a Moabite and not a born Jew.

Background: The Moabites and the Ammonites (today's Jordan) came from the illicit relations between Lot and his two daughters after they fled from Sodom. Both daughters had intercourse with their father and both bore a boy. One was called Ammon and the other was called Mo Av. The Mishna in Yevamot 76b teaches that Jews are not allowed to marry male Ammonites or Moabites but marrying a female is allowed. According to this Mishna, Ruth and Boaz had a legal marriage and there should not have been any gossip or doubt about King David's Jewishness. However, all his life, King David suffered from false accusations and I think that if he entered the Rabbanut (chief rabbinate) today, the rabbis might throw him out as well.

Nevertheless, the Meschiach is coming from a Moabite. Who would have thought that, as one might assume that the Meschiach is coming from a perfect family.

But not only King David died on Shavuot. On Leil Shavuot, Erev Shavuot, the great founder of the chassidut, the Baal Shem Tov died. Therefore, many Chassidic groups celebrate his Yahrzeit with certain events. Especially chassidut very much emphasizes the Tikun on the night of Shavuot. Reading certain prayers and Kavanah (concentration) helps us reaching higher levels and connect the spiritual worlds with our physical world.

All over the world, thousands of Jews will stay awake and learn through the whole night. Especially in Jerusalem, people like going to different shiurim (classes). Most synagogues and religious programmes offer different classes. Daily newspapers already started publishing many addresses for Torah study on Shavuot. Classes are free of charge and light refreshments will be served. At about 4am, people will start walking to the Western Wall (Kotel) in order to pray Shacharit. Every year, it is a great experience seeing the sun rising over the Tempel Mount.

Chag Sameach – Have a great holiday & Shabbat Shalom !

Links:

The inner and outer garment of the Torah 

Shavuot Stories

Shavuot is NOW

B"H 

Right after this Shabbat ends, the Jewisg holiday of SHAVUOT is starting. SHAVUOT stands for WEEKS. Why WEEKS ? 

With the holiday of Pessach, the Jews are entering a seven – week – cycle called the OMER PERIOD. For those seven weeks, we are counting the Omer and the counting is complete on Shavuot. 

In Judaism, the number 7 always stands for completion. Something is ready, complete and perfect. Just look at the creation of the world and G – d resting on the seventh day. His creation was complete and so is the Omer cycle on Shavuot. 

Furthermore, SHAVUOT also means OATHS. At Mount Sinai, the Jews gave the oath of living according to the Torah. Those of you who have some Talmudic knowledge: There is a Talmudic Tractate called SHAVUOT dealing with all different kinds of OATHS. 

More than 3000 years ago, the Jews received the Torah directly from G – d. However, the festival of Shavuot is not just another anniversary of this particular event. Until today the Jewish task is to relive the giving of the Torah. It is our duty on Shavuot to undergo the same excitement as our ancestors did at Har Sinai. It is not only them in the past receiving the Torah but each of us has to do the same today. I and you have to receive the same Torah again and again. We have to receive the Torah for ourselves. 

 The Torah as well as the Talmud Tractate Sotah 9 ff. teach that the Jews had to prepare themselves in order to receive the Torah. They had to cleanse their bodies but they also had to undergo a spiritual cleansing. 

The question is: How do we prepare ourselves for the upcoming Shavuot ? I went to Zfat in northern Israel until Friday morning. For Shabbat and the holiday I will be back in Jerusalem. However, does my brief vacation in Zfat stand for a perfect Shavuot preparation ? The answer is that I haven’t really started preparing anything. I may tomorrow, as then I am planning a visit at the grave of the ARI (Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, 1534 – 1572). 

Each of us is experiencing a different preparation. I am already happy to be in Zfat. Breathing some clean air, having a religious atmosphere and seeing some holy sites. There is no PERFECT preparation but each of us should take some time, sit down and think about how he is going to approach Shavuot. Not only Jews but maybe also Gentiles. The latter having the "Seven Noachide Laws" in mind.

Talmud Shabbat 88: G - d covered the Jews with Har Sinai, Part 2

The Sleeping Beauty Galaxy

Photo + Details: NASA

B"H

See PART 1 HERE !

Although we find different Talmudic and Rabbinic statements that G – d was forcing the Jews to accept the Torah on Har Sinai (Mount Sinai), there are many other opinions. The famous commentator RAN, Rabbi Nissim of Gerona, for instance, said that the Jews had to accept the Torah in order to receive Eretz Israel. Thus, the Torah was their ticket to Israel.

When the Jews lived in the first Babylonian Diaspora after Nevuchadnezzar had destroyed the First Temple, many Jews thought that the Torah lost its validity. Why keeping Torah laws when they are not in the LAND anymore ? In fact, many Jews got accustomed to Babylonian idol – worship practises and assimilated because they didn’t see any future for the Jewish nation. The Land was gone and so was the Torah. Why then not be like all the other nations ?

However, after the severe incident with Haman and the Purim miracle taking place, the Jews found back to their roots. Unfortunately, not all Jews were prepared to move back to Israel when Ezra got the chance to take them back. Also here, assimilation was still a subject despite the miracle of Purim. The Talmud Tractate Yoma teaches us that only a small percentage of the Jews finally returned in order to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. Most Jews remained in Babylon, as they saw their businesses growing and weren’t interested in moving back to a devastated place. Those Jews moving back to Eretz Israel promised not to forget the Torah anymore and it should be valid for all future generations. 

The Talmudic Rabbi Resh Lakish compared the six days of creation to the 6th of Sivan. The day when the Jews received the Torah at Har Sinai. Rashi stated that the sixth day of creation actually refers to the 6th Sivan. A Gemara (rabbinic discussion) in the Talmud Tractate Shabbat 88a teaches that THE EARTH BECAME FRIGHTENED AND, IN THE END, GREW CALM. What does this mean ?

Says Rashi: The earth became frightened due to the reason that the Jews may not accept the Torah and, as a result of this, G – d would destroy His entire creation. However, the Jews did accept the Torah on 6th Sivan and the earth calmed down from its fear.

The Ramban (Nachmanides) commentates that the world was created in a way that the Jews would accept the Torah. Otherwise G – d would have destroyed His creation, as the whole purpose for creating the world had vanished. No purpose = No more creation.

Talmud Shabbat 88: G - d covered the Jews with Har Sinai

Thoratext

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B”H

In Israel, Shavuot is over but the Diaspora is still celebrating the holiday until tomorrow (Thursday) night an. 

When we talk about SHAVUOT (Translation: Weeks) then we usually refer to the giving of the Torah and anything related to Torah. The Talmud provides us with quite a few interesting insights about what happened at Har Sinai (Mount Sinai).

The Talmud Tractatc Shabbat 88a lists a few teachings which have their roots in aggadaic literature. One of the most famous teachings is that G - d covered the Jews with Har Sinai. The Talmud commentator Maharsha stated that the Jews were actually inside the mountain. The Talmud continues by quoting G - d: "If you accept the Torah, fine. But if not, your burial will be there !"

When we look at this teaching we should have in mind that Aggadot and the Talmud many times use a symbolic language. Teaching us in metaphors and this is why it is so important to study Midrashim, Talmud and Aggadah with a professional teacher and / or with many different commentators in order to understand the true message. 


How can G - d lift up the mountain and the Jews and cover the Jews ? And why did G - d use this method when the Jews had already announced that they were ready to accept the Torah ? Why did G - d use such force ?

Parts of the answers we find in Talmudic and Kabbalistic teachings. When G - d started talking to the Jews, every Jew heard His voice in his soul. The result was shocking, as the Jews couldn't grasp the direct voice of G - d. What happened was that their souls temporarily left their bodies. There is a teaching that at this very moment, the Jews died but, at the same time, G - d caused them to be resurrected. Afterwards, G - d spoke to Moshe only. 


The Tosafot commentate that maybe this shocking experience may have caused the Jews to change their minds and thus, G - d decided to force the Jews to accept the Torah.

The Midrash, on the other hand, commentates that the Jews were willing to accept the Torah and its Mitzvot regarding Eretz Israel but were not too excited accepting the Torah Mitzvot for the Diaspora. This only happened many years later in Babylon; in the days of Esther and Mordechai (see also the RAMBAN).

The Maharal of Prague states that if the Jews had changed their minds and refused accepting the Torah, the world would have returned to its pre - creation state of TOHU. Meaning: If the Jews had said that they don't want the Torah, G - d may have destroyed our world and have returned everything to Tohu. 


Remark: Kabbalah defines the "World of Tohu" as a non - existing physical world but as a kind of world only existing in G - d's thoughts.

Photo: M. Day

Source: A Simple Jew

Now we have to ask ourselves whether G - d didn't take away the "Free Will" of the Jews when He forced them to accept the Torah. On the other hand, He obviously left them a choice but not such a positive one.

______________________________

Part 2 is going to follow tomorrow !

I admit that those teaching are rather complicated and not easy to understand. I just hope that I am expressing myself, more or less, clear.

Chag Sameach - Happy Shavuot !

At Gan Sacher (Sacher Park) in Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

I was planning to write much more on Shavuot but, in the end, didn't have enough time putting everything together. When I write about a subject, I do research, look through I don't know how many books and also make plenty of copies. I am always trying to be a perfectionist and don't do this quick "Fast Food Research". However, when you really go into something, time is running out and the day is over.

What I am going to do is writing some further articles connected to Shavuot after the Chag is over. I found some great teachings in the Talmudic Tractates of Bava Batra and Shabbat and would like to share them.

In the meantime, have a great Shavuot, Yom Tov and Chag Sameach !

The inner meaning of Shavuot

Photo: Zipiyah

B"H

Tomorrow night and Wednesday, the Jews celebrate the festival of Shavuot (weeks). In Israel we only celebrate one day (until Wednesday night) and abroad two days.

On Sivan 6th , G - d gave the Torah to the Jews at Mount Sinai. G – d reminds us several times in the Torah that the Torah itself is eternal and cannot be replaced by anything else. G - d and His Torah do not depend on time, as we do (Bnei Yissachar). After Adam and Eve (Adam and Chava) ate from the Tree of Knowledge, G – d changed the human DNA and made us mortal.

How do we approach Shavuot today ? How can we get exited at all without having been at Mount Sinai when the Torah was given ?

First of all, we do have the concept in Judaism that any souls (Neshamot) ever been created or will be created in the future, have been at Mount Sinai. All of us were there including the converts to Judaism. Before G – d gave the Torah to the Jews, He went to all the nations and asked if they would like to receive the Torah (see Midrash). The nations refused, as according to the Torah, murder, theft, adultery, not keeping kosher etc. are forbidden. However, the other nations did not want to give up their old habits and no changes in society whatsoever. Only the Jews said NA'ASEH VE NISHMA – Let's hear and we will do. The Jews said yes without knowing the conditions (Midrash).

The Vilna Gaon said that actually there were some people among the nations who did want to receive the Torah but G – d only asked their kings who refused. According to the Vilna Gaon, those people are the converts to Judaism today.

How do we prepare ourselves for Shavuot ?
 

First of all, we should internalize the Torah. We need to understand that it is not an ancient book which does not apply to me today. Rabbi Meir Weiner once said at a shiur (class) that each of us should look at the Torah as if it only speaks for himself. This thought might help us to understand the meaning of Shavuot in our days.

Everybody should spiritually prepare himself for this holiday and then we are able to reach higher and higher level and do important Tikkunim of the spiritual worlds. Furthermore, Shavuot is a Chizuk, a strengthening of the souls for all generations (Kuntres Dibrot of Toldot Avraham Yitzchak). All generations still have the eternal Mitzvah of Torah study (Bnei Yissachar). In Judaism we differentiate between different levels of Torah study. The first concept is called PSHAT where we only study on a more or less superficial level. However, our task is to internalize the inner meaning of Torah and Halachot.

During Shacharit (the morning prayer service) we add three additional readings: The Ten Commandments (Aseret HaDibrot), the famous poetic AKDAMOT prayer (written by Rabbi Meir ben Yitzchak in the 11th century) and the Book of Ruth (Megillat Ruth).

Akadamot tells us in a very poetic way about G – d's creation of the world until the World to Come (Olam HaBah). The verses are written according to the Hebrew alphabet and each sentence is being answered with the word TA. TA consists of the letters Aleph and a Tav standing for the first and last letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Symbolically, the word TA represents the whole Torah and that its study is endless.

The Book of Ruth was written by Shmuel HaNavi (the prophet Samuel), as it says in the Gemara in Talmud Bava Batra 14b. But why do we read the Book of Ruth on Shavuot ?

Ruth was an ancestress of King David and he was born and died on Shavuot. It says that only Zaddikim (righteous people) die on their birthday. Ruth was one of the most important converts to Judaism and, therefore, Shavuot is also the day of the converts.

His whole life, King David had to suffer from bad comments of other people, as his ancestor was a Moabite and not a born Jew.

Background: The Moabites and the Ammonites (today's Jordan) came from the illicit relations between Lot and his two daughters after they fled from Sodom. Both daughters had intercourse with their father and both bore a boy. One was called Ammon and the other was called Mo Av. The Mishna in Yevamot 76b teaches that Jews are not allowed to marry male Ammonites or Moabites but marrying a female is allowed. According to this Mishna, Ruth and Boaz had a legal marriage and there should not have been any gossip or doubt about King David's Jewishness. However, all his life, King David suffered from false accusations and I think that if he entered the Rabbanut (chief rabbinate) today, the rabbis might throw him out as well.

Nevertheless, the Meschiach is coming from a Moabite. Who would have thought that, as one might assume that the Meschiach is coming from a perfect family.

But not only King David died on Shavuot. On Leil Shavuot, Erev Shavuot, the great founder of the chassidut, the Baal Shem Tov died. Therefore, many Chassidic groups celebrate his Yahrzeit with certain events. Especially chassidut very much emphasizes the Tikun on the night of Shavuot. Reading certain prayers and Kavanah (concentration) helps us reaching higher levels and connect the spiritual worlds with our physical world.

All over the world, thousands of Jews will stay awake and learn through the whole night. Especially in Jerusalem, people like going to different shiurim (classes). Most synagogues and religious programmes offer different classes. Daily newspapers already started publishing many addresses for Torah study on Shavuot. Classes are free of charge and light refreshments will be served. At about 4am, people will start walking to the Western Wall (Kotel) in order to pray Shacharit. Every year, it is a great experience seeing the sun rising over the Tempel Mount.

Chag Sameach – Have a great holiday !

Yahrzeit of the Baal Shem Tov

B"H

We don't only commemorate King David's Yahrzeit (day, someone passed away) on Shavuot but also the Yahrzeit of the great chassidic Master, the Baal Shem Tov.

The Baal Shem Tov died on 6 Sivan (in the year 1760, according to the worldly calendar).

Shavuot Stories

B"H

Shavuot is ahead and this Tuesday night, thousands of Jews are going to study the night through and thus doing their "Tikkun Leil Shavuot". Shavuot is the Jewish holiday where G - d gave the Torah to the Jews at Mount Sinai (Har Sinai) and our task is to accept the Torah with the same enthusiasm, as our ancestors did. 

The Talmud Tractate Shabbat 88 teaches that, at Har Sinai, the Jews didn't fully accept the Torah but rather out of fear. The moment they fully accepted the Torah was in Shushan when Haman prepared his extermination attempt but the Jews were saved by Esther and Mordechai.

Shavuot is a nice holiday with so much joy and great Shiurim at night. Even in secular Tel Aviv, secular Jews love to participate in the famous "Tikkun Leil Shavuot" and religious lectures will be crowded. Of course, what is missing in the Tel Aviv but Jerusalem easily provides: The walk to the Kotel (Western Wall) at 4am on Wednesday. Thousands of Jews will be going to the Kotel throughout the entire night and pray Shacharit. 

I am not the kind of person staying awake an entire night in order to study. I have done this in the past with the result that my Shavuot was finished. I felt bad, went to bed and hardly got up for a very late Kiddush and lunch. 

A famous Jewish custom on Shavuot is "eating dairy products" such as cheese cake, cheese, milk, yoghurts or even lasagne. But be aware that the prices for those products will be up before Shavuot !

The question I am asking myself before every Shavuot is whether I am ready for the festival. There is this feeling of getting ready and being ready for the Torah. Am I ready ? I would rather not think about an answer.:-)

But the festival of Shavuot always reminds of my worst Shavuot ever taking place at the haredi neighbourhood of Kiryat Mattersdorf in Jerusalem. 

It was on Shavuot in 1997, when I was still studying with the national religious but started moving over into a haredi direction. Some girls from a haredi Ba'alei Teshuva Seminary located in Kiryat Mattersdorf invited me to stay with them on Shavuot. In Israel, Shavuot only consists of one day whereas in the Diaspora, Shavuot is being celebrated on two days.

"Well, on day or a few hours with the haredi girls I can manage", I thought. In case if not, I could walk back to my seminary dormitory any time, as it wasn't too far away. 

I went to Kiryat Matterdorf but already on the way, I started feeling sick. Not because of the frum surrounding but because I had caught a virus. When I arrived at the seminary, the girls sent me to lay down in order to feel better in the evening. The plan was to go to some families for dinner. 

I didn't feel better but worse. Fever and the feeling of throwing up any minute. Shavuot seemed to be over for me but nor according to my roomate. My roomate for the day was a German woman and the first thing she did when she entered the room was spotting out Muktzeh items such as pens on a table and throwing them aside. I wouldn't have touched those pens anyway. 

My Shavuot got worse. I was sick and at the edge of sticking my head into the toilet and this German woman announced that she had organized a dinner invitation with her friends. I must come because it is a holiday and we have to fulfill our Mitzvah. However, my only Mitzvah seemed to consist of staying in bed or at least near a toilet. 

She dragged me to this family and I remember that they were very nice indeed. What I cannot remember is any name or face. I think they were litvish and I was sitting half unconscious at the table and trying not to throw up over the Kiddush cups. I remember this great lasagne they served and I even had a small piece. The rest of my memory is gone and the only thing I remember is my roommate telling me all about this family and how I should behave.

I think I fell asleep at the table and finally made it back to bed at the seminary. Then the next shocking announcement took place: The walk to the Kotel in the morning. 

I didn't go but stayed in bed. At noon I got so fed up with seeing those who hadn't gone to the Kotel sitting and saying Tehillim (Psalms) that I just left. The girls were worried whether I can make it make alone but I managed. I just wanted to escape from those rules, sticky atmosphere, good behaviour and pressure. 

Back at my own seminary dormitory, my roommates were happy and having discussions. No Tehillim, no "Do this, do that" but fun. I went back to bed but got up after an hour. Suddenly I felt much better and after another hour or two, I was healthy again. The virus seemed to be gone and I myself couldn't believe it.

It was the first time I realized that one may be perfect in one way and doing all the holiday programmes from the beginning until the end; however, sometimes I wish there was a little more Rachmunes (mercy) with those who have a different mind set or are just not as "perfect" as others. We all have our potential and should try using it. But my potential is not that of this particular roommate dragging me to the lasagne and my potential is not spending an entire day with the "Book of Tehillim".

So, how was your Shavuot ?

B"H

I had a wonderful lazy relaxed Shavuot ! 

A Shearim reader from New Jersey and I went to the Karlin - Stolin Synagogue in Mea Shearim. Shavuot seems to be one of the few occasions when the Karliner Rebbe comes over to his Jerusalem Beit Midrash from his residence in Givat Ze'ev (outside Jerusalem).

On Erev Shavuot, most Karliner Chassidim were to be found outside the Synagogue. Already standing on the metal benches and awaiting the Rebbe. Even some women were standing at the Ezrat Nashim (women's side) which is very unusual when you look at Erev Shabbat. Hardy any women show up on Friday nights for Kabbalat Shabbat. However, for holidays (Chagim) they do.

First I placed myself inside the Synagogue, the Karliner Rebbe walked from the Aron HaKodesh (Torah Shrine) towards the exit (metal benches outside) and all Chassidim sitting inside the Synagogue stood up. Then the Maariv (evening service) began.

As usual, prayers were shouted out loud and whoever is not used to the wild Karliner prayer may be in a state of shock. The Chazan screams out the first words / first sentence of a prayer and the rest is being shouted out loud by all the other Chassidim. A kind of a mess but very emotional.

After the service, the New Jersey guy and were invited to the house of a Karliner Chassid and his family. The food being served was the best Shavuot food I have ever eaten ! At least ten dishes were served: Pancakes, red pepper stuffed with rice, salmon, salads, lasagne, potatoe slices with something dairy on them. Later on onion soup and white / brown chocolate cake.

Our plan was going back to the Tish of the Karliner Rebbe at about 11pm. However, we decided to go to other places in Mea Shearim first but, in the end, missed all Tishes. Obviously they had started much earlier than we thought. We even missed the Karliner Tish.

Nevertheless, it was nice walking through Mea Shearim and seeing hundreds of Chassidim walking with their books under their arms into different Batei Midrash (study places) where they were doing their "Tikkun Leil Shavuot - Soul rectification on Shavuot by Torah study). 

After this kind of adventurous walk and all the food, I made my way into bed.

"CHAG SAMEACH - Happy Shavuot !"

Photo and lots of more cheese: Chadrei HaCharedim

B"H

King David as well as the Baal Shem Tov passed away on Shavuot. Chassidic communities celebrate Shavuot with special Tishes of their Rebbes and Mea Shearim will be busy as well.

Another tradition is eating dairy products on Shavuot. If you are in Israel and you haven't bought your dairy stuff yet, prices will be extremely high today. The shops want to make their profits and a holiday is always used as an opportunity.

Temperature went down a lot. From 34, 30 degrees to around 20 degrees Celsius. The perfect weather and those Jews going to pray their Shacharit at the Kotel (Western Wall) tomorrow morning won't melt away as soon as the sun is coming out.

I don't know who published this Pashkevili but there are some of this kind hanging on the Mea Shearim walls. "Modest Jewish Daughters" are asked to stay at home until 10am on Wednesday morning. Not home but refraining from going to the Kotel. Too much "Prostitution - Prizut - Immodest Behaviour" would be going on early in the morning, as thousands of Jews make their way through the Jewish Quarter down to the Wall. The alleyways are very narrow and thus men and women pass each other too tight. So, the very modest woman should wait until the masses are gone. I suppose that most Chassidim pray Shacharit in their Batei Mirdash anyway.

I may be not too modest but I am still refraining from going to the Kotel. It is far too crowded and you cannot really concentrate on the prayers. However, it is still great seeing so many Jews praying at the same place.

"Chag Samaech - Happy Shavuot" and lets all try to take some Torah giving spirituality into our daily lives.

Rabbi Mordechai Machlis (Jerusalem) on SHAVUOT

Avivah Gottlieb - Zornberg on "Megillath Ruth"

The inner meaning of Shavuot

Photo: Zipiyah

B"H

Tomorrow night and Wednesday, the Jews celebrate the festival of Shavuot (weeks). In Israel we only celebrate one day (until Wednesday night) and abroad two days.

On Sivan 6th , G - d gave the Torah to the Jews at Mount Sinai. G – d reminds us several times in the Torah that the Torah itself is eternal and cannot be replaced by anything else. G - d and His Torah do not depend on time, as we do (Bnei Yissachar). After Adam and Eve (Adam and Chava) ate from the Tree of Knowledge, G – d changed the human DNA and made us mortal.

How do we approach Shavuot today ? How can we get exited at all without having been at Mount Sinai when the Torah was given ?

First of all, we do have the concept in Judaism that any souls (Neshamot) ever been created or will be created in the future, have been at Mount Sinai. All of us were there including the converts to Judaism. Before G – d gave the Torah to the Jews, He went to all the nations and asked if they would like to receive the Torah (see Midrash). The nations refused, as according to the Torah, murder, theft, adultery, not keeping kosher etc. are forbidden. However, the other nations did not want to give up their old habits and no changes in society whatsoever. Only the Jews said NA'ASEH VE NISHMA – Let's hear and we will do. The Jews said yes without knowing the conditions (Midrash).

The Vilna Gaon said that actually there were some people among the nations who did want to receive the Torah but G – d only asked their kings who refused. According to the Vilna Gaon, those people are the converts to Judaism today.

How do we prepare ourselves for Shavuot ?

First of all, we should internalize the Torah. We need to understand that it is not an ancient book which does not apply to me today. Rabbi Meir Weiner once said at a shiur (class) that each of us should look at the Torah as if it only speaks for himself. This thought might help us to understand the meaning of Shavuot in our days.

Everybody should spiritually prepare himself for this holiday and then we are able to reach higher and higher level and do important Tikkunim of the spiritual worlds. Furthermore, Shavuot is a Chizuk, a strengthening of the souls for all generations (Kuntres Dibrot of Toldot Avraham Yitzchak). All generations still have the eternal Mitzvah of Torah study (Bnei Yissachar). In Judaism we differentiate between different levels of Torah study. The first concept is called PSHAT where we only study on a more or less superficial level. However, our task is to internalize the inner meaning of Torah and Halachot.

During Shacharit (the morning prayer service) we add three additional readings: The Ten Commandments (Aseret HaDibrot), the famous poetic AKDAMOT prayer (written by Rabbi Meir ben Yitzchak in the 11th century) and the Book of Ruth (Megillat Ruth).

Akadamot tells us in a very poetic way about G – d's creation of the world until the World to Come (Olam HaBah). The verses are written according to the Hebrew alphabet and each sentence is being answered with the word TA. TA consists of the letters Aleph and a Tav standing for the first and last letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Symbolically, the word TA represents the whole Torah and that its study is endless.

The Book of Ruth was written by Shmuel HaNavi (the prophet Samuel), as it says in the Gemara in Talmud Bava Batra 14b. But why do we read the Book of Ruth on Shavuot ?

Ruth was an ancestress of King David and he was born and died on Shavuot. It says that only Zaddikim (righteous people) die on their birthday. Ruth was one of the most important converts to Judaism and, therefore, Shavuot is also the day of the converts.

His whole life, King David had to suffer from bad comments of other people, as his ancestor was a Moabite and not a born Jew.

Background: The Moabites and the Ammonites (today's Jordan) came from the illicit relations between Lot and his two daughters after they fled from Sodom. Both daughters had intercourse with their father and both bore a boy. One was called Ammon and the other was called Mo Av. The Mishna in Yevamot 76b teaches that Jews are not allowed to marry male Ammonites or Moabites but marrying a female is allowed. According to this Mishna, Ruth and Boaz had a legal marriage and there should not have been any gossip or doubt about King David's Jewishness. However, all his life, King David suffered from false accusations and I think that if he entered the Rabbanut (chief rabbinate) today, the rabbis might throw him out as well.

Nevertheless, the Meschiach is coming from a Moabite. Who would have thought that, as one might assume that the Meschiach is coming from a perfect family.

But not only King David died on Shavuot. On Leil Shavuot, Erev Shavuot, the great founder of the chassidut, the Baal Shem Tov died. Therefore, many Chassidic groups celebrate his Yahrzeit with certain events. Especially chassidut very much emphasizes the Tikun on the night of Shavuot. Reading certain prayers and Kavanah (concentration) helps us reaching higher levels and connect the spiritual worlds with our physical world.

All over the world, thousands of Jews will stay awake and learn through the whole night. Especially in Jerusalem, people like going to different shiurim (classes). Most synagogues and religious programmes offer different classes. Daily newspapers already started publishing many addresses for Torah study on Shavuot. Classes are free of charge and light refreshments will be served. At about 4am, people will start walking to the Western Wall (Kotel) in order to pray Shacharit. Every year, it is a great experience seeing the sun rising over the Tempel Mount.

Tomorrow night, on Leil Shavuot, several chassidic Tishes are going to take place. Shorter than usual but it will be interesting walking around in haredi areas and going to those Tishes. The Toldot Avraham Yitzchak have one, Belz does or Karlin - Stolin. Some even have a Tish in the afternoon on Shavuot day. Originally I was planning to go to some religious lectures but now it seems that I am stuck in Mea Shearim on Tuesday night. Invited in Karlin and going to the Rebbe's Tisch. Nevertheless, the Stoliners celebrate their Shavuot Tish outside which is not too good for the women. They either stand on the rooftop of the Beit Midrash or squeeze themselves near small alleyways in order to see something.

Chag Sameach – Have a great holiday !

Tikkun Leil Shavuot in Jerusalem

B"H

"Tikkun Leil Shavuot" is a famous tradition on the night of Shavuot. Jerusalem is full of different study offers on Tuesday night. People usually eat their festive meal and then stream out to study somewhere. Within the past few years, the tradition has also become very popular among secular Israelis. Personally, I very much prefer lectures in Hebrew and if possible, something halachic. Besides going to Mea Shearim on Erev Shavuot.

As I have already mentioned, the best Hebrew programmes in Jerusalems are taking place at the Great Synagogue as well as at the Yeshurun Synagogue in King George Street.

The present Chief Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, Jonah Metzger, will speak at Yeshurun, and the former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, Israel Lau, is going to speak at the Great Synagogue. Not only, as there will be plenty of other speakers but both Rabbis chose halachic issues.

The Menachem begin Center is offering a rather strange lecture as a Tikkun Leil Shavuot. The doctor of sociology, Sima Zalcberg, is going to talk about how, as a university researcher, she smuggled herself into the Toldot Aharon in order to write her doktorat (PhD). This happened some years ago and Ms. Zalcberg describes in her PhD., how she basically lied herself into the group in order to get some invitations for Shabbat. Her subject was "how the Toldot Aharon women shave their hair".

I spoke to Sima Zalcberg on the phone after I read her doktorat and here is the astonishing result:

http://shearim.blogspot.com/2008/02/does-science-justify-anything.html

As I said many times, I am against such Chutzpah using other people for one's own purposes. Furthermore, the lecture itself may give Christian missionaries or other people with negative goals ideas about how to make their way through. Sima Zalcberg has not much to say anyway. Before she actually went to the Toldot Aharon in a rather clumsy way, she read reports of how scientist make their way into African tribes. This says a lot about the quality of her doktorat where she refers to the women in Toldot Aharon as "subjects" and as "uneducated".

For those of you who are seriously interested in chassidic women shaving their hair after getting married:

Most chassidic women do shave their hair (Vishnitz, Belz, Satmar and many others). One doesn't need to sneak into the Toldot Aharon in order to collect information !

Shabbat & Shavuot

B"H

Last Shabbat I met one of my American readers and took him to the Tish of the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe in Mea Shearim. The Toldot Aharon weren't on but later I found out that the Shomrei Emunim as well as the Mishkenot HaRoim obviously were having Tishes. Never mind, as on Erev Shavuot, many groups may have some events which I am going to check out.

Furthermore, there are plenty of "Tikkunei Leil Shavuot - Torah studies on Shavuot" around. In Tel Aviv as well in Jerusalem.

In case you are looking for something halachic and intensively religious, you can either go to a Beit Midrash in Mea Shearim (as a man), to the Great Synagogue or to the Yeshurun Synagogue (both in King George Street). Both Synagogue are offering fantastic Shiurim (lectures) in HEBREW !

I want to apologize to all readers who sent me e - mails and have not yet received a response. They will hopefully do so today !

A Jewish Tourist in Israel on Shavuot

B"H

This upcoming Tuesday night, the Jewish holiday of SHAVUOT starts. It was then when G - d gave us the Torah at Mount Sinai (Har Sinai). Thus, the Jews accepted the Torah and its Mitzvot and the task of the Gentiles is to keep the "Seven Noachide Laws". According to Judaism, every human being, no matter of Jew or non - Jew, has a place in the "World to Come - Olam HaBah" ! From where do we see this ?

From a verse (passuk) in Talmud Sanhedrin where the question is asked whether Bilam (the famous Gentile prophet who failed to curse the Israelites in the desert) has a place in the world to come (after his death). Why would the Talmud ask this questions if there wasn't a chance for a Gentile to get into Olam HaBah anyway ? Thus, we know that every human being does have a chance. However, Gentiles should commit themselves of keeping the "Seven Noachide Laws" and not worship idols as, for instance, Christianity does.

In Israel, we only celebrate the festival of Shavuot for ONE day. Beginning this Tuesday night until Wednesday night. Diaspora Jews, however, add a second day and celebrate until Thursday night.

The question comes up: What should a Diaspora Jew do when he is visiting Israel in Shavuot ? Is he supposed to keep one day (as the Jews in Israel do) or two days (because he still lives in the Diaspora) ?

The same question also comes up on Sukkot and Pessach.

Years ago, I worked in an office of Halacha Poskim (experts) and we received many e - mails on this matter. The Rabbis answered that a Diaspora Jew making Aliyah and already has his Aliyah documents in his hand (because he is arriving in Israel within a few days / weeks) can even keep one day of Shavuot at his place in the Diaspora. Whereas Jews from Israel living in the Diaspora have to keep the second day after constantly living outside Israel for three years.

In the book "Celebration of the Soul" - The Holidays in the Life and Thought of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook - by Rabbi Moshe Zvi Neriah, I found the following story:

Whenever tourists asked Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook (1865 - 1935) about observing the second day of a festival (Pessach, Shavuot or Sukkot where the Diaspora adds another day), the Rav would urge them to consider settling in the Land. He would emphasize that the decisive halachic criterion of "intention to return" alludes to the inner connection of the Jewish soul to Eretz Israel. Thus, everyone who visits the Land and tastes its heady atmosphere no longer wishes to leave. Of course, circumstances frequently force one to return to the Diaspora. However, this is the decision of the mind, which determines man's intentions. But his heart, his inner will always desires to remain in the land of our forefathers.

Chag Sameach & Shabbat Shalom

B"H

I just had arrived in Tel Aviv and now, this afternoon, I am already returning to Jerusalem. There is nothing like spending Shavuot in the Holy City.

This week, I worked on nightshift twice and last night, I participated in the secular event "Laila Lavan". Shame on me, because the result may be that tonight, after the festive Shavuot meal, I may go to bed early. If I am lucky, I can make it for one Shiur (class) but I don't see myself studying through the whole night. Not even going to the Kotel (Western Wall) in the morning.

Those of you spending Shavuot in Jerusalem as well - there are plenty of places where you can study through the night. The most popular places among English speakers are probably the "Orthodox Union (Israel Center)" in Keren HaYesod and Rabbi David Aaron (running his program near the Sephardi Center in the Old City tonight). For beginners, those two programs are interesting although, I always see the OU more for the elderly public.

I wish you all a great inspiring holiday and that we all may have the Sechut to receive the Torah. Even the participants in the "Laila Lavan".:-)

"Chag Sameach - Gut Yom Tov" and "Shabbat Shalom - Gut Schabbes" to all of you !!!

Yosef Robinson's way to Judaism

B"H

The holiday of Shavuot is coming up (starting on Thursday night) and especially Shavuot is seen as the "Day of Converts to Judaism". King David was born and died on that day, and it was him being a descendant of Ruth the Moabite. Who would think that the great King David actually comes from a family of converts ? And if we go a little further it also means that Meshiach is going to be from a house of converts, too.

I found this on "Frum from Rebirth" (including an interview) and it sounds quite interesting:



See also: Yosef's Homepage

Jerusalem before and on Shavuot

B"H

This time, no one can claim that I was lazy and didn't go to any chassidic Tish last Shabbat. However, all my energy and activities were in vain because no chassidic Tish whatsoever took place. Obviously everyone got ready for the coming Shavuot. It is a custom to study throughout the night of Shavuot and with a friend I went to the "Israel Center of the Orthodox Union" in Jerusalem in order to listen to some religious Shiurim (classes). A decision I soon regretted except for the great buffet with junk food and fruit.

The first speaker, a woman, turned out to be a complete failure, as she misinterpreted her subject. Already after a few sentences I realized that her speech will lead us to nowhere and decided to take a nap on the chair. The following speakers, two litvishe rabbis, on the other hand, were brilliant and my conclusion was that you shouldn't allow every woman who turns to be out the wife of a rabbi, to teach.

At 4 o'clock in the morning we went to the Kotel (Western Wall). Thousands were on their way to the morning prayer Shacharit and police as well as the army border police were guarding the entire way. We went through the Arab market and arrived without any difficulties at the Kotel. Although millions of visitors had been announced, there was still plenty of space and the line - ups were managed fast by the security staff. In the middle of the place in front of the Kotel, a Mechitzah (separation wall between men and women) was placed but not too many paid so much attention. This was more or less fine with me but what started bothering a lot was a group of national religious girls sitting in a big circle at the women's site. Approx. 25 teens with short skirts and no sox sat down and sung religious songs.

Halachically a woman is forbidden to sing out loud when she is accompanied by strange men. Only a married men is allowed to hear the singing of his wife or daughters but he is forbidden listening to songs of other women. This would arouse in him certain immodest feelings and, thus, his Yetzer.

A few haredi guys coming to the Kotel passed the girls group quickly and on their way they closed their ears. This, on the other hand, seemed a little too exaggerated for me. But I still asked myself why no one complained about the national religious sitting there and singing. Usually the Haredim are the first to complain about anything.

Suddenly a haredi woman showed up and started yelling at the girls group. If they are not ashamed of sitting here immodest and singing. The national religious first appeared to be stunned but then got up and the group disappeared quickly. They knew that the haredi woman was right but still couldn't really get the point.

One can say that the haredi woman was a religious fanatic but, on the other hand, she also was right. If you are at a place like the Kotel, you should behave in a certain way. And the national religious who claim to be religious should know Halachot.
Lately, the Jerusalem national religious girls appear far too immodest anyway. Short skirts, no sox, shiny colours and short sleeves. Okay, okay, I do wear pants and maybe shouldn't complain but still….The national religious should know better and realize that soon hardly anyone will consider them religious.

By the way, I did wear a long skirt that morning on Shavuot.