200403
4th
April 2020
Good
morning, Shabbat Shalom, a Blessed Holy Week, almost Ramadan Kareem
As a
Jew, each morning I thank the Almighty for giving me back my soul with a very
simple prayer. Some say this prayer as soon as they wake, some say it once they
have washed their hands, but all of us should say it in some form, in our own
way, in our own faith, to express our gratitude for every moment, especially in
these uncertain days.
We
really shouldn't take anything for granted.
Each
morning I wake, say "Modeh Ani", "I give thanks before you, my living and eternal King,
for You have given me back my soul with compassion; In Your abundant faith in
me!" and head off to the lounge, press the button to raise the
electric shutter and wait with bated breath for the view from our verandah!
This morning the sun was shining on all my work of yesterday, clipping back,
sweeping up dead leaves, taking cuttings, refreshing the soil and preparing for
spring. Our 40 square metres of veranda is the closest I can get to nature in
urban Jerusalem! There is an eerie sense of silence, or near silence as the
roads are nigh empty, the mall car park has not had a single vehicle for 2
weeks now, the only signs of activity are those going to the underground car
park to reach the supermarket on the ground floor – but even that is very slow,
most people are ordering online and the stores, not just food stores but every
type, are delivering to doorsteps, the goods ready for washing, spraying and
cleaning!
Our
morning walk has been curtailed, for now, although many older people (that's
us) do venture forth just to get some fresh air, keeping a careful distance and
not more than 100 metres from their place of residence.
We
had a lovely surprise two days ago. Danny Robas, a very well-known Israeli
singer/songwriter, arrived in the parallel road beneath ours, on a flat-bed
truck with a small band, armed with full speakers and police escort, and gave
us a concert!! It was so much fun! Everyone came out onto their verandas, so
happy to see each other, and we danced and joined in his concert, waving
Israeli flags. It was a joy. Apparently they basically covered Jerusalem,
stopping and setting up in every neighbourhood. Rachel said they came to their
street too!
Everyone
is trying to be positive about the fact that we will have a lonely Passover
Seder; children far away from parents and grandparents away from grandchildren.
Whatever ones religion, we will not be going to traditional places of worship,
but on the other hand our very solitude will change the manner of prayer to a
much more personal one, a genuine spiritual connection rather than a social
event.
I
have no choice,
I have to speak a little about politics and "the situation". Above
all I firmly believe that this is not the time for political disputes – the war
of words has to cease, for now anyway. That is why I am so full of admiration
for Benny Gantz, who decided to be the adult in the room, to take a chance and
form an emergency government despite that obvious fact that his apparent
acquiescence would be taken advantage of. He did it out of an almost altruistic
understanding that Israel needs leadership now, not political ambition. I love
what one political correspondent said "One cannot argue with Benny Gantz –
he will always bring it down to a quiet discussion with good nature"
Surely that is what the world needs right now.
Attacking
our leaders is a fascinating game under normal circumstances but since
virtually every leader of every country made bad assessments of the situation,
let's just pray they find solutions. It isn't the time for dissent but rather
for unity.
Talking
about solutions, the Shabak, the Israeli Secret Service, has played a
most unexpected role in providing solutions! They found the desperately needed
masks and ventilators for hospitals. The difficult decision to allow them to
use surveillance to enable discovery of contacts of known virus patients has,
in fact, been of the utmost importance in isolating contacts. In fact soldiers
have become a very important social aid as they bring Passover packages to the
needy and help the elderly by collecting prescriptions or doing shopping. Our
very own Shelly couldn't get back to her base so she is volunteering, helping
those who cannot get out.
The Ultra-Orthodox community in Israel
(and elsewhere) is in real trouble, albeit to an extent, self-imposed. Their insistence
upon gathering in synagogues, markets etc., refusing to abide by the isolation
laws has created a very sad situation whereby in some communities up to 32% are
infected. The neighborhood/town of Bnei Brak has actually been curfewed, nobody
in or out without a permit. Finally, several, if not all of the big Rabbis have
demanded their flocks follow the rules and have closed places of worship - big
and small. My beloved father, Jack, was a partially
lapsed Yeshiva student. His teachings to all his children was simple - The
Almighty created us with a brain so we must use it and never follow any human
like sheep, but use that God given brain to assess every situation on its merit
and help ourselves. https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Bnei-Brak-the-coronavirus-capital-of-the-Jewish-state-623414
Our Health
Minister, Rabbi Litzman, a member of the Gur Hassidim, despite imposing
isolation laws on the people, did not abide by them himself, has the Corona
virus and has possibly infected the entire political leadership.
The
World Health Organisation has, surprisingly, praised Israel for her control of
the virus. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278094 The full
cooperation on all levels between the Palestinian Authority Health Ministry and
the Israeli Ministry of Health is absolute and Israel sent 3,000 test kit and
50,000 masks to Gaza. https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/COGAT-delivers-3000-coronavirus-test-kits-50000-masks-to-PA-622371
I don't
know about you but we are sick of hearing about the virus, whatever you call
it. Zvi and I are not complaining about the isolation, we just pray that it
will work and that once we come out into the wide world again we will not be
vulnerable. We are still carrying out meetings online and talking to the
grandchildren through the various Zoom, WhatsApp, Facetime etc, but personally
I cannot bear the ensuing cacophony, I'm a one on one person!!
The
opening words of the Passover meal, the Seder, "We were slaves" open
the Passover story. We then ask "Why is this night different to all other
nights?" which this year will have even deeper meaning than before! The
purpose of the service is to tell the story, especially to children, so that
what happened, our fight for freedom, our fight to return to our land, will not
be forgotten by those who follow us. If the children are ignorant of their
history then we have no future. If well told, the story is an adventure story
with huge characters and clear heroes. It teaches the children the results of
their actions and also how to listen. The four brothers are the perfect
example. The Wise brother, the Wicked, the Simple and the one who doesn't even
know how to ask. Think carefully, it is the explanation of mankind, not just
Judaism. Which one are you and what are your children? As you know I'm far from
being a Torah scholar but I know someone who is and he talks about Passover in
his singular and wonderful manner, Jeremy Rosen. http://jeremyrosen.com/2020/04/passover-or-passunder.html
On the
subject of the Rosen Family, Rabbi David Rosen broke through the previously
solid barrier to Jews, religious Jews, going to an inter-religious conference
in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Bravo David, so proud of your work. Here he describes
his incredible experience. https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/israel-middle-east/articles/rabbi-david-rosen-saudi-arabia?fbclid=IwAR2pt8zOCjkCt48kzXx6C5XXktgOu10QwKD77Na7BsjPdKtdg8k_vWj5C1g
If
nothing else, a consequence of this insane situation is appreciation of the
most incredible, selfless, hard-working, amazing healthcare workers, from the
top professors to the simple ancillary staff. They are deserving of our
admiration, gratitude and hopefully, our governments will show they're
appreciation by paying them the salaries they deserve.
This
Shabbat is called Shabbat ha Gadol, the Great Shabbat or my favourite name the
Special Shabbat. Just five days before the Jews left slavery in Egypt it has
many special aspects https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/1692/jewish/Shabbat-Hagadol.htm
So we
come to music, yes I know that lots of you wade through my words so that you can enjoy the music at
the end!!
Biglal
Ha Ruach –
because of the spirit, is a beautiful song for tough times. Ninet Tyeb sings
and it has English subtitles. https://youtu.be/PViwIr3pEUQ
We have
an exceptional President. Reuven Ruvi Rivlin was a very outspoken politician
but since becoming President he has become the Saba, the Grandpa, of the
nation. His determined effort to bring us all together, young and old, left and
right, orthodox and secular, are exceptional. Here he sings Halleva'i (
a prayer saying I wish everything would be alright) with Boaz Sharabi. https://youtu.be/Xnnlqj9Fdeg
David
Broza sings Yihyhe Tov – It will be alright. Surely the most appropriate song
for our times https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtI7h5A9eEQ
There's
one more – a Passover Song – THE Passover song. Vehi Sheamda, in case
you hadn't guessed – I love it!! The words of this prayer speak to us all "And this (Hashem’s
blessings and the Torah) is what kept our
fathers and what keeps us surviving. For, not just one arose and tried to
destroy us, rather in every generation they try to destroy us, and Hashem saves
us from their hands." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnnKFpiP1hs
I just
took a break to join Zvi and half the country in front of Avri Gilad on Channel
13 to do our daily 10 minute workout!!
So,
wonderful people, this is going to be a challenge but it's one we are more than
capable of dealing with. We will be in
our own homes but tradition will keep us together as it has done for a
thousand, thousands of years. Tradition! To all our family whether blood
relatives or deep friendship, we will miss you but, never forget………throughout
those thousands of years we sang just one song "Next year in
Jerusalem" and for everyone who cancelled their trip to our table – next
year!!
Be
strong, be safe, do as you are told and then some. Don't visit relatives, don't
let your children play with others, by protecting yourselves you protect
everyone in your building, your street, your neighborhood and your town.
Wish
you a beautiful Shabbat with time for prayer and contemplation, appreciating
every bloom and blossom heralding the time we can go out and greet our loved
ones in person. A hug has taken on new meaning eh?
Shabbat
Shalom from Jerusalem, beautiful, golden Jerusalem and of course, the view from
our veranda.
Sheila
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