Everything old is new again.

Yom revi'i, 1 Sivan 5772, Rosh Chodesh.

There is an expression I like to quote from the 1998 edition of the Artscroll Chumash.  "To the degree that one trusts in God's help, one receives it."

Someone else -- I can't remember who it was -- said it very nicely.  When you notice Hashem's gifts and acknowledge them, it is as if He says, "You liked that?  Wait till you see this!  I've got a lot more to show you, since you're interested..."

Living in the Holy Land -- within the "local call zone" of all that kedusha (holiness) -- it feels as if there are even more opportunities to notice little gifts of hashgacha (G-d's involvement in each and every moment of our lives).

I was in Jerusalem the other day to do some banking.  (I never get tired of remembering that I do my mundane life tasks in the holiest city on the planet.  And in response to that little twinge I just caused in your neshama, Shprintz, I'm still davening for you to be doing the same.  Very soon.)

Behind the Central Bus Station is a short cut that takes me down some steps, into an alley, and onto Yafo Street.  In that alley is a little apartment behind a green gate.  I notice there has been some mini-landscaping done in the yard, and they've put up a couple of interesting signs.

I must admit to a failing caused by laziness.  In all my years of learning Torah, I have mostly studied in English.  So while I know that "lo tignov" is "don't steal" from the Ten Commandments, I wasn't too sure about the other one.  (Yes, I know you figured it out already; but wait for me.)

I asked a Sephardi gentleman who was passing by to decipher the sign for me.  (This is another miracle of the Holy Land.  Since we are family, it is not quite so extraordinary to stop apparent strangers on the street and ask them questions beyond the usual directions.  Asking them advice is not even that odd.  Receiving life-altering answers is common.  Even when you don't ask.)

He didn't feel qualified to answer.  This was because he didn't have English, and didn't realize how easy it would be to tell it to me in simple Hebrew (like he probably told his kids and grandkids many times.  Later, I felt sorry for him for his missed opportunity).






I had a great morning, getting tasks accomplished and visiting with favorite "regulars" along the way.  Then, with a few minutes to spare before my bus home arrived, I visited one of my favorite bookstores.  "Divrei Shir (Words of Song)" is a really lovely little bookstore, situated on the third floor of the bus station (conveniently near the bus platforms).  I was browsing for a book by Emunah Alon, who writes children's books in Hebrew that I can (mostly) understand.

Suddenly I noticed that Rav Shlomo Aviner has published a number of children's books!  (I should not have been surprised.  "Prolific" and "Aviner" are right near each other in the dictionary.)  One in particular caught my eye, perhaps because it wasn't the usual extremely slim picture book, and I wanted to challenge myself.  I picked it up and opened it at random.  To my delight, I could read the story, only needing to guess at the meaning of a few words.

And that went so well...  I shuffled through a few more pages...  Mah pitom!  I discovered a story that seemed very relevant to this very day.

In easy Hebrew (sorry about your missed opportunity, sweet old Sephardi guy), I learned the meaning of my word.

Just as I guessed.  "Do not covet."  A lesson to little Avri of the story about not wanting that which belongs to his friend.

I could have stumbled upon this book any number of times that I visited this store.

But Hashem often doesn't work that way.  He so very often speaks directly to us, if we will simply open the book.

I love being a Jew.  And I love living in Israel.

Don't forget Tefilat Sh'lah Hakadosh for your children today: http://matzav.com/a-parents-tefillah-from-the-shelah-to-be-recited-today-2  Chodesh tov!

Rav Aviner's Song for the Soldiers

23 Tevet 5769.

Rav Shlomo Aviner has a blog, called "Torat HaRav Aviner," which gives me a lot of chizuk, especially in these challenging times.  He has written beautiful lyrics for which Eliyon Shemesh has created a joyful and powerful melody, which remind us of what Rav Goldberger has always taught us is true of the Jewish people:  V'ameich kulam tzadikim!  [And all of Your people are righteous!]

A Slow Line Enters Gaza:

A Song for Israeli Soldiers

(Many thanks to Rabbi Mordechai Friedfertig, as always, for his translation of Rav Aviner's words.)

The unit commander is a factory owner.
The regimental commander is an engineer.
The company commander is a nature guide.
The platoon commander is in his mandatory army service.
The sergeant major sells holy books.
The sergeant is somewhat of a carpenter.
The squad leader is currently unemployed.
And the private is retired.

But all of them are excellent soldiers
Marching in the quiet of the night in a slow line
Entering enemy territory
Without fear
In order to wage war for our Nation
As their parents had done for them.

The unit commander has a bad back.
The regimental commander – high cholesterol.
The company commander – digestive problems.
The platoon commander just doesn't look good.
The sergeant major – problems with his eyes.
The sergeant has trouble sleeping.
The squad leader is scratching.
And the private has corns on his foot.

But all of them are excellent soldiers
Who slip into the darkness in a slow line
Entering enemy territory
Forgetting that they are pampered and sensitive
Filled each day with drops, oils and pills
And they are suddenly healthy.
And these men who are afraid of shots and dentists
Are suddenly courageous
They are not afraid of anything
They do anything that needs to be done
Because what is needed is needed.
They don't think about themselves
But about the national goal
Because it is enough of this mess
And we must now act to protect our Nation
And this is only the appetizer.

The unit commander is a leftist against the settlements.
The regimental commander is a settler for the settlements.
The company commander votes for the centrist party.
The platoon commander is a Religious-Zionist who is deciding between two parties.
The sergeant major is Ultra-Orthodox.
The sergeant is a socialist.
The squad leader votes for all the parties.
And the private has still not decided.

But all of them are excellent soldiers
Marching silently in the darkness of the night.
Under the smiling moon
With preparedness and strength
And the same people who do not agreed
About anyting in politics and religion
Have suddenly become brothers.
Brothers in arms and brothers in battle
Who sacrifice for each other with their heart and soul
Everyone suddenly agrees
That the best thing we have
Is our country and the army which defends us
And they are ready to completely strike the enemy
For once and all
So that we will be left in peace.