Sunday, April 5, 2009

Spring Comes to the Gush

Yom sheni, 12 Nisan 5769.

Blessed are you, Hashem, our God, King of the universe, for nothing is lacking in His universe, and He created in it good creatures and good trees, to cause mankind pleasure with them.   
In the English translation of the Modim of the Rabbis that is said during the repetition of the Shemoneh Esrei, we say "[We thank you] for inspiring us to thank You."  I have always loved that passage.  Many times throughout our day, the prayerbook inspires us to show G-d appreciation for the many gifts He gives us that we might otherwise take for granted.

One of those prayers is said only once each year, upon seeing fruit trees in bloom.

Even though this special prayer was also available to me in Chutz l'Aretz, it feels even more special to say it in this very holy place.  Please let me share some of the local Gush Etzion beauty with you.


 

 We had a few guests drop by, as the weather started to warm up.  A couple of them even posed for photos.
 And, of course, some of the greatest beauty is the Jewish people and their love for the mitzvot...  such as cleaning every inch of their homes for Pesach.
 Thank you, Borei Olam, for this beautiful Land, and for all of the lovely, colorful flowers and the interesting creatures and the fine and holy people that fill it.

Thank you most of all for friends with whom to share Your wondrous creation.

Chag Pesach sameach v'kasher l'kulam!

Haveil Havalim #211 is posted at Ima's place.  She calls it "The Preparing for Pesach Edition."  There is some fun stuff in there to take your mind off of your scrubbing and cleaning...  or to focus you more intently.  Take a break.  You deserve it!


Glossary:
Modim:  acknowledgment, gratitude, admission
Shemoneh Esrei:   prayer with "eighteen blessings (plus)"  said three times daily
Chutz l'Aretz:  everywhere outside of Israel
Mitzvot:  commandments, elevated deeds
Pesach:  Passover
Borei Olam:  Creator of the world
Chag Pesach sameach v'kasher l'kulam!:  Happy and kosher Passover to everyone!

 

12 comments:

The Gottesman Family said...

Ruti - enojying your beautiful photos, I feel like i can almost the bracha right here in my office! Thank you so much for sharing! May you and Avi and your family embrace the geula with all your heart and soul.


Mendel

bataliyah said...

You have an amazing ability to make life in Israel so incredibly real. Thank you for the photos and the sense that life in Israel really is better.

Linda said...

Ruti,
The photos are awesome! Thanks for sharing the beauty.
Linda

rickismom said...

No time for HH now! Takes tooooooo long! Hardly have time to peak at my regular reads....
Lovely photos!!!!

DrSavta said...

Beautiful!

Unknown said...

Most heartwarming and inspiring among these dazzling and brilliant flowers is my friend, Ruth! Thank you once again for bringing me to the beauty of reality as Hashem placed it before us. A gut yom tov!

Baila said...

These photos are gorgeous, Ruti! Thank you.

Schvach said...

Beautiful photos Ruti. I'm looking forward to reciting Birkat Hachamah tomorrow morning. Chag Pesach Sameach!

Avi said...

Just as the flowers blossomed following winter, so too may Am Yisrael blossom as it is redeemed from the long Exile!

Chag kasher v'sameach!

rutimizrachi said...

Mendel: AMEN! Standing right next to you and your dear family!

BatAliyah: Of course, you better than most know that it is real, and is better. I look forward to many meals with you and many wonderful conversations here in our Home.

Linda: As you always share with us.

RickisMom: Don't I know it, Girl! Now that it's Chol HaMo'ed, I'll enjoy reading what I missed during the cleaning and cooking!

DrSavta: Thank you.

Bracha: Ahhhhh. Your appreciation makes my heart dance. Gut yom tov to you, my friend.

Baila: Coffee? Soon?

Schtark: Wasn't Birkat HaChama amazing!!!

Bar Kochba: AMEN! May it be soon.

rickismom said...

I left you a blog award on my blog.
http://beneaththewings.blogspot.com/2009/04/blog-awards.html

rutimizrachi said...

Wow, RickisMom! You know how to make someone's day. Thank you for the award. More importantly, thank you for the insights into yourself. Very honest, and very sweet. We need to play some music together! (And that includes Ricki. Good percussionists are a special pleasure for me.)

"Beneath the Wings" (http://beneaththewings.blogspot.com) is a very heartwarming read, so much more than a "special needs" blog, but very good at that, too. If you have not yet taken the time to read it, please go there. You will like Ricki and her mom as much as I do.