We hit the ground running. Running mostly back and forth between Jerusalem and Afula, taking full advantage of the just-opened Highway #16 and its amazing tunnels. Now, as I type, we're slowing the pace just enough to take some deep breaths of holy air before re-packing our bags. Sandwiched between multiple trips to see the kids up north (see previous post) were a few other treats that made this trip to Israel particularly special for me. Special Treat #1: A full day (8:30 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. the next morning) on a bus with about 50 like-minded women, guided by Rebbetzin Tziporah (Heller) Gottlieb, heading north (yet again) - this time to the burial sites of seven holy men in our illustrious history. At each one, the Rebbetzin taught us about their lives and their spiritual legacies, instructing us on how to properly focus our own thoughts and prayers based on their priorities and personalities. We visited the tombs of the prophet Havakuk and Rabbeinu Bachayei, Yehonasan ben Uziel and Benayahu ben Yehoyada. We learned, we prayed and we petitioned - for ourselves, for our loved ones and for all Am Yisrael. What a way to take on the month of Elul! One of our last stops was the gravesite of the second-century sage, Rabbi Nachum Ish Gamzu. You can read a bit about Rabbi Nachum
here but the bottom line is that he is famous for always saying "
gam zu l'tovah" - "this, too, is for the good". He believed with perfect faith that nothing happens by accident or chance, only with G-d orchestrating it. And since G-d is good, nothing bad can happen! So simple, right? Such a powerful message as we enter a new year with whatever it brings our way.
Special Treat #2: Last year around this time, I told you about the small plot of Shemittah land that Bill and I "acquired" by partnering with a farmer who would be letting his land lie fallow for the Sabbatical Year. I said I hoped I would merit to visit it. So with only two-and-a-half weeks left to this Shemittah year, I was off to Moshav Gimzo. Many of the fields along the way proudly displayed their "Here We Observe Shemittah" signs.
Once on the Moshav, I met Shimon and Rachel Hazut who have been farming their olive trees and grape vines through eight Shemittah cycles (that's 56 years, for the mathematically challenged). I was literally moved to tears by their love of the Land, their dedication to the mitzvah of Shemittah and the blessings they showered upon me. Shimon drove me through some of their many acres of farmland and I took home a souvenir bag-full of wine grapes clipped right off the vine, dripping with Sabbatical-year holiness.Special Treat #3: An icy vanilla caramel milkshake with bits of pecan and chocolate chips. Enjoyed with old friends at Cafe Gan Sipur located in Jerusalem's newly and beautifully renovated Gan Sacher park. I can hardly think of a sweeter way to Remember Jerusalem.
Shabbos is coming and we've got a plane to catch tomorrow night but I couldn't imagine leaving without wishing you and yours a Shana Tova while still on holy soil.
May you see the good in whatever the New Year brings.
May your labors bear beautiful fruit and
May all your days be filled with sweetness.
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K'sivah v'Chasimah Tova
from the Hazut Family's farm-to-table
and from Yours Truly |
