Prayers for a month (until close to Tishrei) for Chana bas Gisela
Ed-Op Rabbi Rachamim Pauli: Shoftim 14:14 Out of the eater came forth food, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. I have been learning with Rabbi Mimran Shlita for about 23 to close to 24 years. We have had our ups and downs as I sometimes miss my entrance to the Beis Medrash for various reasons and I do sports for my heart and body health. The Covid crises has taken us from the Beis Medrash to Telephone. So rather than travel 10 to 12 minutes with parking back and forth, I save the 20 or more minutes for learning via phone.
The results have been amazing. We have Completed about 1/3rd of the laws of Shabbos. Eben HaEzer from the Shulchan Aruch and as I write this, we are finishing the laws of kosher Slaughter without the pictures but we get the idea and I hope to photocopy the picture pages and review it again later. We are returning to the laws of salting, mixtures and milk and meat that are required for ordination and after over 10 years of hiatus deserve a review.
The Torah that Am Yisrael is doing has risen. It is no secret that during the summer most Jews go on vacation. Rabbi Shalom Shwadron of saintly memory used to call summer vacations and traveling the curse of Kayn. Beresheis 4:12 When thou till the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a wanderer shalt thou be in the earth. So this year most Jews are less wanders and by staying home are learning more Torah. I can see this as it is not unusual for my readership to drop to 1/3rd or 1/4th what it was when the summer began. The other times for readership drop are from students during the examinations that occur in Colleges.
In conclusion, the more Torah, the more Peace, the more Mitzvos, the more cleanliness, the more holiness, the more modesty and this brings the Moshiach closer. Also there because of the closures and lawlessness in Blue States where there is a large Jewish Population a new surge in Aliyah to Israel is quietly occurring. MAY IT BE THE WILL OF HASHEM THAT THE MOSHIACH WILL COME SPEEDILY AND WE MERIT TO SEE THE THIRD BEIS HAMIKDASH AND ATONE THROUGH KORBANOS.
Parsha Eikev Part 2
This week is the conclusion of Moshe’s first Drasha of Mussar in Sefer Devarim.
8:1 All the commandment which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD swore unto your fathers.
We again have the theme of Parsha Bechukosai. Observe the Mitzvos and you will live, have children and merit to live in Eretz Yisrael.
2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God hath led thee these forty years in the wilderness, that He might afflict thee, to prove thee, to know what was in thy heart, whether thou would keep His commandments, or not. 3 And He afflicted thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knew not, neither did thy fathers know; that He might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
One does not live off of physical food
but only what HASHEM allows you to eat. Rav Yerachmiel Boyer Shlita told me
that the wealthy man who owned Hadar Bakery had enough food to feed all of
Yerushalayim in his stores and yet he had a rare illness in his digestive
system and died of starvation from the inability to absorb nutrition.
4 Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.
Miraculously your garments did not wear out these 40 years in the desert.
5 And thou shalt consider in thy heart, that, as a man chastens his son, so the LORD thy God chastens thee.
You got punished for your non-observance or rebellion like a father punishes his child.
6 And thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in His ways, and to fear Him. 7 For the LORD thy God brings thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths, springing forth in valleys and hills; 8 a land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig-trees and pomegranates; a land of olive-trees and honey;
You are about to enter a land with two main types of grain and five main types of trees that grow naturally there.
…19 And it shall be, if thou shalt forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I forewarn you this day that ye shall surely perish.
But be careful not to go after the current local Canaan gods for if you do so just as with Baal Peor, you shall perish.
20 As the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so shall ye perish; because ye would not hearken unto the voice of the LORD your God.
Don’t think that you are better than them. You are only the children of G-D when you emulate ME though the Statues, Ordinances and Laws that you have been commanded to observe.
9:1 Hear, O Israel: thou art to pass over the Jordan this day, to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great and fortified up to heaven, 2 a people great and tall, the sons of the Anakim, whom thou know, and of whom thou hast heard say: 'Who can stand before the sons of Anak?'
How can we possibly fight and defeat these very tall enemies?
3 Know therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is He who goes over before thee as a devouring fire; He will destroy them, and He will bring them down before thee; so shalt thou drive them out, and make them to perish quickly, as the LORD hath spoken unto thee.
He will go before you and defeat the Anak. What is it for the L-RD to defeat 5 Arab countries with 75 million people by 3 million Bnei Yisrael in six days!
4 Speak not thou in thy heart, after that the LORD thy God hath thrust them out from before thee, saying: 'For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land'; whereas for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee. 5 Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thy heart, dost thou go in to possess their land; but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that He may establish the word which the LORD swore unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
You are not righteous enough to merit that the land would be given to you but the merits your forefathers earned gave you the land.
… 8 Also in Horev ye made the LORD wroth, and the LORD was angered with you to have destroyed you. 9 When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights; I did neither eat bread nor drink water. 10 And the LORD delivered unto me the two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them was written according to all the words, which the LORD spoke with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly. 11 And it came to pass at the end of forty days and forty nights, that the LORD gave me the two tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant. 12 And the LORD said unto me: 'Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people that thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have dealt corruptly; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image.' 13 Furthermore the LORD spoke unto me, saying: 'I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people; 14 let Me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under heaven; and I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they.' 15 So I turned and came down from the mount, and the mount burned with fire; and the two tables of the covenant were in my two hands. 16 And I looked, and, behold, ye had sinned against the LORD your God; ye had made you a molten calf; ye had turned aside quickly out of the way which the LORD had commanded you. 17 And I took hold of the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and broke them before your eyes.
I had to pray for the lives of this rebellious nation that you would not be destroyed.
18 And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights; I did neither eat bread nor drink water; because of all your sin which ye sinned, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him. 19 For I was in dread of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me that time also. 20 Moreover the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him; and I prayed for Aaron also the same time. 21 And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and beat it in pieces, grinding it very small, until it was as fine as dust; and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount.
And you drank the ground gold that tasted horrible. It was a bitter period both physically and spiritually.
22 And at Taberah, and at Massah, and at Kibroth-hattaavah, ye made the LORD wroth.
With your gluttony for meat.
23 And when the LORD sent you from Kadesh-barnea, saying: 'Go up and possess the land which I have given you'; then ye rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God, and ye believed Him not, nor hearkened to His voice. 24 Ye have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you. 25 So I fell down before the LORD the forty days and forty nights that I fell down; because the LORD had said He would destroy you.
Because of the wicked tongues and impression of the land.
26 And I prayed unto the LORD, and said: 'O Lord GOD, destroy not Thy people and Thine inheritance, that Thou hast redeemed through Thy greatness, that Thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand. 27 Remember Thy servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; look not unto the stubbornness of this people, nor to their wickedness, nor to their sin; 28 lest the land whence Thou brought us out say: Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which He promised unto them, and because He hated them, He hath brought them out to slay them in the wilderness. 29 Yet they are Thy people and Thine inheritance, that Thou didst bring out by Thy great power and by Thy outstretched arm.'
So after my prayers, the current generation would be allowed to enter the land even though all except Calev and Yoshua.
… 10:1 At that time the LORD said unto me: 'Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto Me into the mount; and make thee an ark of wood. 2 And I will write on the tables the words that were on the first tables which thou didst break, and thou shalt put them in the ark.' 3 So I made an ark of acacia-wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in my hand. 4 And He wrote on the tables according to the first writing, the ten words, which the LORD spoke unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly; and the LORD gave them unto me. 5 And I turned and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they are, as the LORD commanded me.
And this time instead of Divine Tablets, you had man-made Tablets and broken Divine Tablets.
…10 Now I stayed in the mount, as at the first time, forty days and forty nights; and the LORD hearkened unto me that time also; the LORD would not destroy thee. 11 And the LORD said unto me: 'Arise, go before the people, causing them to set forward, that they may go in and possess the land, which I swore unto their fathers to give unto them.'
Again and again I had to pray to stop you from being killed by your rebellions.
…16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. 17 For the LORD your God, He is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the awful, who regards not persons, nor taketh reward. 18 He doth execute justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. 19 Love ye therefore the stranger; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. 20 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; Him shalt thou serve; and to Him shalt thou cleave, and by His name shalt thou swear.
Now when you go into the land: CLEAVE UNTO THE L-RD.
11:1 Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep His charge, and His statutes, and His ordinances, and His commandments, always. 2 And know ye this day; for I speak not with your children that have not known, and that have not seen the chastisement of the LORD your God, His greatness, His mighty hand, and His outstretched arm, … 10 For the land, whither thou go in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou didst sow thy seed, and didst water it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs; 11 but the land, whither ye go over to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drink water as the rain of heaven cometh down; 12 a land which the LORD thy God cares for; the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
If you cleave unto G-D you will have plenty of food and water.
13 And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto My commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, 14 that I will give the rain of your land in its season, the former rain and the latter rain, that thou may gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.
This is the second portion of the Shema and important to pay diligent attention to each word and earn your food, wine, oil and grain.
15 And I will give grass in thy fields for thy cattle, and thou shalt eat and be satisfied. 16 Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; 17 and the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and He shut up the heaven, so that there shall be no rain, and the ground shall not yield her fruit; and ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you. 18 Therefore shall ye lay up these My words in your heart and in your soul; and ye shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes. 19 And ye shall teach them your children, talking of them, when thou sit in thy house, and when thou walk by the way, and when thou lie down, and when thou rise up. 20 And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts of thy house, and upon thy gates; 21 that your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, upon the land which the LORD swore unto your fathers to give them, as the days of the heavens above the earth.
If you observe the commandments upon entering the land you shall make this so.
22 For if ye shall diligently keep all this commandment which I command you, to do it, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, and to cleave unto Him, 23 then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall dispossess nations greater and mightier than yourselves. 24 Every place whereon the sole of your foot shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness, and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the hinder sea shall be your border.
Yisrael never possessed this, but we will inherit it in the future and Yerushalayim will extend as far north and Damascus.
25 There shall no man be able to stand against you: the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as He hath spoken unto you.
No nation can limit you in possessing this land. Thus Moshe concludes the Mussar Drasha.
Parsha Re’eh
This week, is the start of the second Drasha of Moshe. It is the new and old Halachic Review Drasha and the final preparation from coming into the land of Yisrael.
11:26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if ye shall hearken unto the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day; 28 and the curse, if ye shall not hearken unto the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.
The Drasha continues a number of Parshiyos and contains many Mitzvos. What is in the blessings and curses we shall not see this Parsha even if the nation heard it from Moshe in one day.
29 And it shall come to pass, when the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou go to possess it, that thou shalt set the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Eval. 30 Are they not beyond the Jordan, behind the way of the going down of the sun, in the land of the Canaanites that dwell in the Arabah, over against Gilgal, beside the terebinths of Moreh?
This is the physical area by Schem where you shall hear the blessings and curses.
31 For ye are to pass over the Jordan to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God giveth you, and ye shall possess it, and dwell therein. 32 And ye shall observe to do all the statutes and the ordinances which I set before you this day.
You observe the Mitzvos by doing them it is a practical and physical observance of all the laws, statutes and ordinances.
12:1 These are the statutes and the ordinances, which ye shall observe to do in the land which the LORD, the God of thy fathers, hath given thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth. 2 Ye shall surely destroy all the places, wherein the nations that ye are to dispossess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every leafy tree. 3 And ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their Asherim with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods; and ye shall destroy their name out of that place.
All idols shall be physically destroyed.
4 Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God. 5 But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put His name there, even unto His habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come; 6 and thither ye shall bring your burnt-offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and the offering of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill-offerings, and the firstlings of your herd and of your flock; 7 and there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.
One shall go to the Mishkan and future Mikdash for central observance.
8 Ye shall not do after all that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes;
Your tithes shall come from your heart between 10 to 20% and giving the best of the best.
9 for ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the LORD your God giveth thee. 10 But when ye go over the Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God causes you to inherit, and He giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety;
You are safe because of the charity, prayer and the Mitzvah of learning Torah and teaching your children Torah.
11 then it shall come to pass that the place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause His name to dwell there, thither shall ye bring all that I command you: your burnt-offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD. 12 And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and the Levite that is within your gates, forasmuch as he hath no portion nor inheritance with you.
Rejoicing before G-D like Mizmor Le Todah (Tehillim 100) Serve the L-RD with Simcha (joy).
13 Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt-offerings in every place that thou see; 14 but in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt-offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee.
Korbanos are only in the Mikdash today and not everywhere.
15 Notwithstanding thou may slaughter and eat flesh within all thy gates, after all the desire of thy soul, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which He hath given thee; the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the gazelle, and as of the hart. 16 Only ye shall not eat the blood; thou shalt pour it out upon the earth as water.
Unlike in the desert where slaughter was done before the Ohel Moed, one can do it anywhere in Eretz Yisrael or the diaspora. Only the blood of the animals one cannot eat and fowl and wild kosher animals require dust to cover their blood.
… 23 Only be steadfast in not eating the blood; for the blood is the life; and thou shalt not eat the life with the flesh. 24 Thou shalt not eat it; thou shalt pour it out upon the earth as water… 30 take heed to thyself that thou be not ensnared to follow them, after that they are destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying: 'How used these nations to serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.'
A warning against following the Canaan gods or gods of a country that you are in via the diaspora.
31 Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God; for every abomination to the LORD, which He hates, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters do they burn in the fire to their gods. 13:1 All this word which I command you, that shall ye observe to do; thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
Here it says not to diminish from the Torah else we are warned not to add to it either.
2 If there arise in the midst of thee a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams--and he give thee a sign or a wonder, 3 and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spoke unto thee--saying: 'Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them'; 4 thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or unto that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God put you to proof, to know whether ye do love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 5 After the LORD your God shall ye walk, and Him shall ye fear, and His commandments shall ye keep, and unto His voice shall ye hearken, and Him shall ye serve, and unto Him shall ye cleave. 6 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken perversion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of bondage, to draw thee aside out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put away the evil from the midst of thee.
It does not matter if this person is a prophet or not. There are a few people that run around from time to time claiming that they are the Moshiach or G-D HIMSELF. These can easily be checked into and institutionalized. However, Jews for Yeshu, Islam, Buddha, etc. we cannot bring before a Sanhedrin and we vomit them out and put a strong warning about them. The same go for charity con-artists.
7 If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, that is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying: 'Let us go and serve other gods,' which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; 8 of the gods of the peoples that are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; 9 thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him; 10 but thou shalt surely kill him; thy hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.
Even a close family member that we cannot kill today shall we vomit them out of our presence. When the Jew for Yeshu did not divorce his wife, the Chatam Sofer asked him nicely to give her a Get to free her of their marriage. He refused and the Chatam Sofer warned him, “A woman shall become free either by a Get or by the death of the husband. As he left in fury, the Chatam Sofer repeated, “By the death of the husband” a few times. He was so furious he went out on the street and expired on the spot.
11 And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to draw thee away from the LORD thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
The death penalty by the Sanhedrin is Skilla or stoning.
12 And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is in the midst of thee.
What happens when a whole city or the majority thereof become ensnared in idol or foreign worship? Vicarious Atonement that somebody 2000 years ago died for your sins is a strange belief and falls under this category. For unlike the modern snowflake generation or born free blacks and your father came penniless before or after World War II each of us are responsible for our own actions and don’t have to pay reparations to slaves that we never owned and who died many decades ago.
14:1 Ye are the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.
Like the Shiites of Lebanon on the day that one of their prophets died.
2 For thou art a holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be His own treasure out of all peoples that are upon the face of the earth. 3 Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing. 4 These are the beasts which ye may eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat, 5 the hart, and the gazelle, and the roebuck, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the antelope, and the mountain-sheep. 6 And every beast that parts the hoof, and hath the hoof wholly cloven in two, and chews the cud, among the beasts, that ye may eat. 7 Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that only chew the cud, or of them that only have the hoof cloven: the camel, and the hare, and the rock-badger, because they chew the cud but part not the hoof, they are unclean unto you; 8 and the swine, because he parts the hoof but chews not the cud, he is unclean unto you; of their flesh ye shall not eat, and their carcasses ye shall not touch. 9 These ye may eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales may ye eat; 10 and whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye shall not eat; it is unclean unto you.
These are the Kosher animals and fish.
11 Of all clean birds ye may eat. 12 But these are they of which ye shall not eat: the great vulture, and the bearded vulture, and the ospray; 13 and the glede, and the falcon, and the kite after its kinds; 14 and every raven after its kinds; 15 and the ostrich, and the night-hawk, and the sea-mew, and the hawk after its kinds; 16 the little owl, and the great owl, and the horned owl; 17 and the pelican, and the carrion-vulture, and the cormorant; 18 and the stork, and the heron after its kinds, and the hoopoe, and the bat. 19 And all winged swarming things are unclean unto you; they shall not be eaten. 20 Of all clean winged things ye may eat. 21 Ye shall not eat of anything that dies of itself; thou may give it unto the stranger that is within thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou may sell it unto a foreigner; for thou art a holy people unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in its mother's milk.
This is the law of the Kosher Birds and swarming things that are forbidden. But one can sell Trafe, Nevaillah or non-kosher fish or reptiles to non-Jews. One may even raise frogs and turtles to sell to Mitt Romney and other non-Jews who love to eat them.
22 Thou shalt surely tithe all the increase of thy seed, that which is brought forth in the field year by year. 23 And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which He shall choose to cause His name to dwell there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herd and of thy flock; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always. 24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it, because the place is too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set His name there, when the LORD thy God shall bless thee; 25 then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thy hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose. 26 And thou shalt bestow the money for whatsoever thy soul desireth, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul asketh of thee; and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou and thy household. 27 And the Levite that is within thy gates, thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no portion nor inheritance with thee. {S} 28 At the end of every three years, even in the same year, thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase, and shall lay it up within thy gates. 29 And the Levite, because he hath no portion nor inheritance with thee, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thy hand which thou do.
15:1 At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release. 2 And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release that which he hath lent unto his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother; because the LORD'S release hath been proclaimed.
A person can take it as a charity ‘write-off’ the Prosbul is more for another poor man lending to somebody on his level or a rich man lending to a bank or company money like what we call a “Heter Iskar” today.
3 Of a foreigner thou may exact it; but whatsoever of thine is with thy brother thy hand shall release.
If it is a loan to a non-Jew and you are acting like a bank, you can extract interest.
4 Howbeit there shall be no needy among you--for the LORD will surely bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it. 5 if only thou diligently hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all this commandment which I command thee this day. 6 For the LORD thy God will bless thee, as He promised thee; and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over thee.
Lend to the poor of Israel so that nobody will stave or be in rags among you and you will be blessed.
7 If there be among you a needy man, one of thy brethren, within any of thy gates, in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thy heart, nor shut thy hand from thy needy brother;
This is a hard Mitzvah not to shut out a neighbor in need. However, when strangers from other towns start coming to your area for handouts give what you can give but some situations have them becoming dependent upon you instead of working hard and earning an honest living. At this point you can say enough is enough for my town has its own poor that need help from me and go to the wealthy of your town. If you have, then give.
8 but thou shalt surely open thy hand unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need in that which he wants. … 12 If thy brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, he shall serve thee six years; and in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee. 13 And when thou lett him go free from thee, thou shalt not let him go empty; 14 thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy threshing-floor, and out of thy winepress; of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him. 15 And thou shalt remember that thou were a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee; therefore I command thee this thing to-day.
He shall receive worker’s compensation from you such that he can survive without reselling himself until the end of the eighth year.
16 And it shall be, if he say unto thee: 'I will not go out from thee'; because he loveth thee and thy house, because he fares well with thee; 17 then thou shalt take an awl, and thrust it through his ear and into the door, and he shall be thy bondman forever. And also unto thy bondwoman thou shalt do likewise.
Forever is until the Yovel Year. The reason for the awl to the earlobe is that the same ear that heard on Sinai, “I am the L-RD your G-D … no other gods besides ME” should have put HASHEM before his master.
18 It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou let him go free from thee; for to the double of the hire of a hireling hath he served thee six years; and the LORD thy God will bless thee in all that thou do.
The Mitzvah is to free him.
19 All the firstling males that are born of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto the LORD thy God; thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thine ox, nor shear the firstling of thy flock. … 16:1 Observe the month of Abib, and keep the Passover unto the LORD thy God; for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night. 2 And thou shalt sacrifice the Passover-offering unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to cause His name to dwell there. 3 Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for in haste didst thou come forth out of the land of Egypt; that thou may remember the day when thou came forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life. 4 And there shall be no leaven seen with thee in all they borders seven days; … 9 Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee; from the time the sickle is first put to the standing corn shalt thou begin to number seven weeks. … 13 Thou shalt keep the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in from thy threshing-floor and from thy winepress. … 16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which He shall choose; on the feast of unleavened bread, and on the feast of weeks, and on the feast of tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty; 17 every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which He hath given thee.
Give from the heart as thanks for the abundance that you have been given.
The Impossible Dream of a Chinese Girl in Singapore
By Sofya Sara Esther Tamarkin https://www.chabad.org/theJewishWoman/article_cdo/aid/4624330/jewish/The-Impossible-Dream-of-a-Chinese-Girl-in-Singapore.htm
Ten years ago, my husband and I traveled to Singapore. Before the trip, as is my habit, I reached out to the local Chabad Center.
Traveling the world is one of my biggest joys. I strongly believe that we are sent exactly where we are needed to bring light to others. Transcending the physical distance is allegorical to the emotional, spiritual and cultural differences between people.
I often joke that my hobby is to visit. We are sent exactly where we are needed every Chabad center in the world. With thousands of centers in more than 100 countries and with a presence in every state in America, this might take a while. Yet any time there is an opportunity to travel the continents and meet these Chabad families who dedicate their lives to unconditionally embrace their fellow Jews is a highlight of my life.
Our Singapore trip ended with a beautiful Shabbat experience in the community shul.
Before Shabbat, I was instructed by the Chabad Rabbi, Rabbi Mordechai Abergel, to go up a flight of stairs to light the Friday-night candles. Standing next to the small table with prepared candles, I saw a young girl hiding in the shadows. She was about 16 with Asian features.
I smiled, but was a little surprised by her behavior. Then, just as I was about to light Shabbat candles, she came towards me and asked in a broken English if I was a “real Jew.” I wasn’t sure if this was a joke or a prank, but I replied, with all seriousness, that I was. I told her it was time to light Shabbat candles, and I proceeded to do that.
She stood next to me, observing and crying. I shifted between being uncomfortable, inspired and a little nervous by this behavior. She asked if she could hug me, considering that, after all, I was the “real thing.” And, of course, I agreed.
I invited her to come downstairs with me to participate in the Shabbat services, but she was too shy.
I couldn’t stop thinking about this strange experience. After the meal, I returned to the area with the candles, but she wasn’t there. I walked around the building, hoping to find her. I was so excited when I finally spotted her seated on the couch near the children’s playroom.
I sat down next to her. She shifted, clearly feeling timid. I said to her that I was visiting from Philadelphia, and that I was born in the former Soviet Union. I explained to her that I didn’t know much about “real” Jews until I was about her age.
I asked her to share her story, for in a way I felt like I was once that girl who watched women light Shabbat candles with awe, curiosity and envy. After a few minutes of chatting about my life, she opened up enough to tell me about her journey.
She was born in a small town in China. Her father was abusive, and so her mother left him. They lived in poverty and despair. Her mother had terrible depression and moments of darkness.
Once, a co-worker in school took notice of her mother and told her that he will help her heal by giving her a page from a sacred book, called Tehillim, the Psalms of David that someone sneaked into China. The story didn’t explain why the book was brought to this gentleman. Yet it was clear that he thought very highly of the author and its people. This woman knew a little English because she was a teacher, but nothing about the existence of Jews. Still, she was desperate for any remedy to overcome her inner darkness. She read the words on the page to herself over and over again, connecting to the light through these mystical poems.
After some time, the woman came up with an idea that would infuse her life with hope. She told her young daughter that somewhere there lives a nation of people who bring the purest light and peace into the world. She made it clear that her daughter was going to find these people and live among them, regardless of the effort it took.
At this point of the story, I realized that I was barely breathing. I was frozen, listening intensely to her quiet voice. It was unimaginable that in China, a woman found her salvation through a page of Psalms. I felt overwhelmed with pride about my Jewish heritage. After all, we are the light unto the nations. Up until this moment, it was more of an allegorical concept for me, but now it has become as real and practical as can be.
The story took a new turn as this girl’s mother came up with a plan. She managed to discover that Jews pray in a synagogue, and the closest country that had one was Singapore.
This young girl’s mother sold everything she could in order to buy a one-way ticket to Singapore for her as a high school senior exchange student.
When the girl arrived, she went directly to the address of the synagogue that her mother had given her. This was the beginning of her magnificent journey.
The rabbi and his wife embraced her with respectful caution. Apparently, there are many people who are trying to find the “way in” to become Jewish for many unauthentic reasons. Despite their cautious approach, she was given a couch to sleep on, food and an opportunity to talk with Jewish visitors.
Time was passing quickly, and I had to return to my husband, who was probably very worried about my whereabouts.
I embraced her with the biggest hug I could offer, and she smiled. I was surprised because up until this moment, she was timid and serious. “Do you know what’s my biggest dream?” she asked. Without waiting for my answer, she continued, “To walk the streets of Jerusalem, wearing a long skirt, just as all real Jewish women.”
Now I became serious. This was one of the purest souls I have ever encountered. A teenager who wanted so little, yet such an almost impossible transformation, considering her life circumstances.
Years have gone by, but this incredible girl remains an inspiration in my life. These were the moments that we shared together, which changed me forever.
Being a rather proactive person, I ran to the apartment where Rabbi Abergel lived and asked to speak to him. He reassured me that he was aware of the girl’s desire to embrace Judaism. As customary, he was waiting to see if she was serious about her decision to embrace Judaism. It had been about four months since she had arrived from China, and the rabbi was getting more confident about her determination to embark on the journey to conversion.
The next day, I walked through the building again and again, but couldn’t find the young woman. I felt that meeting her brought clarity to my own life. According to our sages, we are reassured that G‑d helps us to achieve the impossible: “Open for Me an opening the size of the eye of a needle, and I will open for you an opening the size of a hall.”
I knew with absolute certainty that this spiritual, lofty teenager will find her way. I left behind a check, asking the Rebbetzin to purchase skirts for my future Jewish sister. This was my little contribution to the dream of a Chinese-born girl in another part of the world, who I felt would share my heritage one day.
We are sent exactly where we are meant be. I knew that I needed this encounter just as much as she did. Soon after meeting her, I resolved to commit myself to dressing modestly, wearing skirts. I now wear them proudly.
I am not going to leave you wondering what happened at the end of this incredible journey. After all, some stories do have happy endings.
A few months later, I sent an email to Rabbi Abergel asking about her progress. He replied that he had arranged for her to see the head of the rabbinical court from Sydney, Australia, who was brought down to Singapore for the express purpose of facilitating her and other’s conversion process. This would eventually mean that she will be sent to Israel to study. Reading these words, I burst into tears. There is something so transcendent about impossible dreams becoming a reality.
Sometimes, before I fall asleep, I imagine this timid Chinese-born Jewish woman walking the streets of Jerusalem. In my dream, she is holding hands with her skirt-wearing daughters, while her kippah-wearing husband is talking to her in a soft, kind voice. Her warrior of a mother is walking right next to them. She is holding a complete book of Psalms.
This visionary mother was right, after all, that somewhere in this world lives a nation that knows G‑d, is connected to the truth, and sings the Psalms of the greatest poet, King David.
Every Jew is part of this legacy. Connect your voice to the melody of eternal music and sing along.
Editor's Note: After this story was published, the author was put in touch with the protagonist of this story.
“Don’t misplace humility, the universe depends on you. The universe depends on each one of us.” — Baal Shem Tov
From the author: When I shared my experience in The Impossible Dream of a Chinese Girl in Singapore, I could never have imagined that there would be a continuation of this incredible story. I tried to infuse myself and my readers with a sense of hope about her life today, but I had no idea what it would be.
I was overwhelmed by emails of people throughout the world who also met this young lady and were still impacted by their encounter. Then, thanks to modern technology and G‑d’s mysterious plan, I received an email from “Elisheva Martinetti.” Despite the Italian surname, I instantly knew that “my” girl had found me.
We spoke for a long time on the telephone, and I imagine that readers want to know what happened after our first memorable encounter. I asked Elisheva to share her story. I’ll just add: Make sure you have tissues nearby.
At the end of Shabbat, a friend sent me a link to an article on Chabad.org. She asked me if the Chinese girl written in the article is possibly me. Curious and excited, I clicked on the link and started reading.
The author, Sofya, recounted a beautiful encounter she had with a Chinese girl in the Chabad community of Singapore. The scenes, which were so eloquently written, replayed in my mind. Without a shadow of doubt, I knew this was me, the timid yet determined me, 11 years ago.
Sensing my emotions, my husband encouraged me to contact the author to fill her in with part two of this story: “The fulfilment of that impossible dream.”
The Alter Rebbe wrote in Tanya that it is the obligation of every single Jew to re-experience the Exodus from Egypt every day. For me, this takes on an additional meaning. It meant physically leaving my homeland, a modern-day Egypt ruled by a modern day “Pharaoh.” It also meant leaving my personal, spiritual Egypt, my mindset, as well as my naturally introverted nature.
With G‑d’s help, and my mother’s incredible sacrifice and staunch support, the impossible dream came true in the most beautiful way.
My mother came across stories from the Talmud and Midrashim (ancient commentaries and interpretation on part of the Hebrew scriptures, attached to biblical text), and felt an instant pull, to the extent that she was certain that she must have possessed a Jewish soul. From then on, she would inspire me in whatever way possible to be more excited about Judaism. Chachmat nashim banta beita—“the wisdom of the woman builds her home.”1 True to these words, my mother kindled the fire within my soul.
I became increasingly thirsty for more Jewish knowledge; I wanted to live like a full-fledged Jewess. This indeed was an impossible dream if I stayed in China.
My mother and I needed to choose my first destination. It needed to be a country that would open its doors to a 15-year-old Chinese-born girl. Through Divine Providence, we discovered that Singapore was a perfect starting point. Not too far from China, it is a country heavily influenced by Chinese culture, yet it has a Western outlook and system. The best part is that it had an established Jewish community.
As soon as my mother decided that this was the right direction, she sold our house and made every effort humanly possible to acquire an exit visa for me to go to Singapore, with the intention of me getting closer to a “real” Jewish community, to learn more about G‑d and His commandments.
The only possible way to get me to Singapore was for me to become an exchange student. With my student visa, I was allowed to stay in Singapore for one year until I passed my GCSE exam. (This is similar to a British high school entrance exam; the education system in Singapore is on par with that of Great Britain since it was once a colony of the British empire.)
We weren’t sure what would happen after this one year, but my mother told me that we needed to take the plunge and then, like the Jewish people leaving Egypt, G‑d would surely split the Red Sea for us and guide us where to go next.
This is how I landed in Changi Airport, Singapore, on March 9, 2009.
My mother came along to help me settle in, but visa limitations meant she could only stay for five days. On the last day we parted ways at the train station inside the airport.
I remember sitting on the train, looking out the window, watching my mother wave with a big smile on her face, her eyes full of love and encouragement. I held back my tears thinking that I would show her how strong and determined I was. My throat was getting drier by the minute, and I silently prayed for the train to leave quickly so I could let my guard down. As soon as it pulled away, my mother’s image became gradually blurry, my eyes flooded with tears. I knew I might never see her again.
My mother understood this as her Akeidat Yitzchak; she was willing to sacrifice her own needs for her child. I thought this was my Lech Lecha, just like our first patriarch, Abraham, I was called by G‑d, Himself, to “Go forth from your land and from your birthplace and from your father’s house, to the land that I will show you.”2
As mentioned in Sofya’s article, joining the community was not an easy feat, both because of the cautious approach of the Chabad emissary and my introverted nature. I was prepared to give up everything I had, but my biggest worry was that the community might justifiably look at me as someone who came to take advantage of them since I was a lone, young girl, with no family or relatives.
I tried to stay low-profile. All I wanted was to learn more about Judaism and be recognized as a “real” Jew. The more I learned about keeping the holy Shabbat, the more desperate I felt to be able to keep it the way Jews were commanded. Lighting Shabbat candles 18 minutes before sunset was the most precious experience I could have dreamed of, but not wanting to bother other congregants and feeling extremely shy, I always watched other women from an invisible corner, waiting to light my own after they had finished.
Initially, I was unable to join community meals on Shabbat. I spent Friday nights and Shabbat days reading and learning in the synagogue’s study hall, which also served as a small library in the community center. I would tell G‑d that though the commandment of Shabbat was to eat extra delicacies, for me it would be to fast, rather than eat any of the non-kosher food in the dormitory. I was too shy to ask for food.
Eventually, after Rabbi Abergel, a Chabad rabbi in Singapore connected me with Rabbi Gutnick from the Sydney Rabbinical Court who specialized in conversions, I was allowed to participate in the community meals. I thought, this must be how the Jews felt in the desert after receiving the manna everyday from heaven. I was beyond emotional. I felt G‑d’s guiding hand leading me to His chosen nation.
I was given a syllabus to learn in order to complete my conversion study, but I was determined to learn far more than what the syllabus covered. I wanted to be the best Jew I could be!
I taught myself to read Hebrew and pray from a siddur, a prayer book. While standing in the women’s section, I would try to pray with a minyan, a public prayer quorum of 10 Jewish men, whenever possible. At the time, I thought that was the most praiseworthy way to “speak” to G‑d, and I didn’t know women were not obligated to pray with a minyan. I took off school to celebrate Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot. My education process was not easy because in addition to learning Hebrew language and grammar, I also had to master some English, the language in which many books on Judaism are written.
Every day, I picked up more practices as I learned more Jewish laws. I remember the excitement I felt when I ate my first matzah, and when I said the whole Shmoneh Esrei prayer for the first time entirely in Hebrew. It took me nearly an hour to finish, but I felt that I was doing something for G‑d.
After a while, I wanted to learn in a Jewish girls’ high school. I emailed many schools across the globe explaining my circumstance. I got replies from Beth Rivkah girls’ school in Melbourne and Kesser Torah College in Sydney. Thanks to the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s broad vision and his emissaries, both schools were happy to help me. Following Rabbi Abergel’s advice, I arrived in Sydney, completed the process of conversion, and joined Kesser Torah College with Rabbi Gutnick’s help and guidance all along the way.
After I graduated from Kesser Torah College, I was accepted into Beis Chana My mother and I were reunited after 10 years Seminary in Tzfat in the Holy Land of Israel, where I studied for an additional two years before coming to London to teach in the Lubavitcher Girls’ school. I was also fortunate enough to have studied for one year at Merkos Women in Melbourne Australia.
Today, thank G‑d, I am happily married to a most incredible person, and we have a beautiful daughter. At my wedding, my mother and I were reunited after 10 years of separation. She came to visit again when my daughter was born six months ago.
My journey is a journey of miracles, Divine Providence and sacrifices. I owe many thanks to the Rebbe’s shluchim around the world, and the many incredible families and communities who are so warm, welcoming and full of boundless kindness. There is no one like you, Am Yisrael!
Sofya adds: I am not certain what I could possibly add to this powerful story.
I find it exceptionally meaningful that Elisheva and I reconnected at the time of the anniversary of the Rebbe’s leadership. Seventy years ago, as the Lubavitcher Rebbe accepted his position, he said: “Chabad always put the emphasis on individual initiative, not on relying on the Rebbe. ... I will help, indeed, help as much as I can ... but of what avail will it be to provide texts to study, sing Chassidic melodies, and to toast L’chaim if there will be no effort and initiative on your part.”
The Rebbe taught us to take accountability for our lives and to direct our efforts to the ultimate good. We are incredibly capable and powerful individuals, leaders in our own right. As Elisheva’s story clearly shows, no obstacle can stand between us and our Creator.
May Hashem bless this deeply connected soul, and may we be inspired by Elisheva’s example to live a life of clarity, commitment and meaning.
Am Israel Chai!
From Catholic Italian to Jewish Rabbi
There is a 16minute pod cast as the story starts.
A few months ago, I first shared a story about my encounter with Elisheva Martinetti, at the time a 16-year-old Chinese girl who was hoping to convert to Judaism. When Elisheva heard about the article, we were virtually reunited 10 years after our original encounter, which led to an interview where we spoke openly about our respective childhoods in Communist USSR and China respectively, and the choices we made to embrace Judaism and the Torah way of life.
But the story doesn't end here. I have been blessed to discover that Elisheva’s husband, David, has an awe-inspiring journey of his own!
David Martinetti was born an only child to a typical Italian family in a small city called Cesano Boscone, an hour away from Milan. His parents were traditional Catholics, but not particularly observant in their daily lives. From a young age David questioned the authenticity of his parents’ traditions, yet the answer he received did not satisfy his curiosity. At some point during his teenage years, David came to the understanding that the foundation of the Christian faith is Judaism, and felt it important to pursue the source and read original texts.
By the time he was 16, David still hadn’t encountered an opportunity to meet an actual Jew. On April 25, 2010, he attended the annual celebration of Italy’s liberation from the Nazi regime, where he saw representatives of the Jewish Brigade Group wearing Jewish attire. His dream of meeting a Jewish person was coming true at last!
“As I went up to speak to the group, I told them that I was interested in their organization. One of the members invited me to participate in a celebration of Israel’s Independence Day just a few weeks away.
“Although this was my first encounter with ‘real’ Jews, I had secretly already been trying to learn to read Hebrew on my own. Unfortunately, my parents were not particularly supportive of this new interest. So while I did not share my plans to attend the Israel Day parade with my parents, I let my grandmother in on the secret, and on the much anticipated day, she traveled with me to Milan to help me find my way.
“I was so excited that I arrived hours early. It was there that I saw an Orthodox Jew, a real rabbi, for the first time in my life. He had arrived early too, to set up his outreach work for the large crowd that was anticipated.
“I stood alone, observing him. The rabbi walked toward me with a smile, extended his hand warmly, and offered me my first Jewish greeting: ‘Shalom.’ I froze, completely overwhelmed.
“As the day unfolded, I observed this warm and friendly rabbi putting “black boxes” (tefillin) on participants, smiling and answering questions. I felt instantly connected to him. After all, he was the first rabbi who shook my hand and greeted me in the holy tongue. Unfortunately, I was too shy to speak to him or ask questions.”
By that summer, David had made the life-changing decision to join the Jewish people. Of course, at the time, he had no idea what conversion to Judaism entailed or just how complex his journey was going to be. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, his determination was undeterred, and just like his future wife, Elisheva, he was committed to sacrifice whatever it took to become a part of the Jewish people.
“It took a lot of courage before I finally dialed the number of one of the organizers from the Israeli parade,” David recalls. I asked to be connected to a teacher who could help me learn about Jewish traditions. Amazingly, when I finally met my potential rabbi, I was greeted by that same friendly face and unforgettable smile of the rabbi who shook my hand months ago—a clear sign that I was on the right track.
“It was the beginning of my lifelong connection with Rabbi Shmuel Rodal. We started learning about the Seven Laws of Noah. Although 16 people attended the second class of the series, I was the only student present for the first, which gave me an opportunity to ask questions, bond with the rabbi, and confide in him my desire to convert.”
The weekly classes took place in Milan, ending late at night when the trains were no longer running.
David’s parents picked him up after the first class but made it clear that they were unwilling to do it again. After the second class, he was visibly worried that he had no way of returning home. Just then, his fellow classmate shared that he lived a few minutes away from David’s house and would be happy to give him a ride home each week. Once again, David saw this as a sign that he was on the right path and was being guided by his Creator.
As time went on, David’s commitment to his Jewish education intensified. He appealed to Rabbi Rodal to include lessons on important Jewish ideas, in addition to the Seven Noahide Laws. Recognizing how seriously the young man took his studies, Rabbi Rodal agreed to teach him twice a week.
By this time, David knew with certainty that he belonged with the Jewish people.
“When I turned 18, I became legally independent and decided to move to Israel. My parents were shattered and went to speak to the rabbi, asking him to convince me to finish high school in Italy.
“The rabbi listened to their anguish and told me, ‘David, whatever you start in life, you need to finish. You need to complete your high school education and then move on to the next stage of your life.’ The rabbi also advised me to honor my parents and get the best grades possible.
“I listened to his advice, spending hours toiling over my homework, and graduated high school with all A’s. After my graduation in 2012, I started looking for a Jewish school—a yeshiva either in the United States or in Israel—with hopes of beginning my conversion process. I knew that I needed to start living in a Jewish environment.
“It had become increasingly complicated for me and my parents to live together. Unfortunately, my plan to attend yeshiva did not come to fruition since no Jewish school was willing to take me in. Once again, Rabbi Shmuel Rodal acted as my guardian angel and offered to create a custom curriculum just for me. For two full years, we studied together every day for four hours.
“The first year, I continued to live at home, hiding everything Jewish in order not to upset my already aggravated parents. At the end of the year, I moved in with my grandmother where I could be more open about my observance.
“During the summers, Rabbi Rodal was away in another city so I had to take a break from our learning. My usual daily schedule included a two-hour commute, our four-hour learning session, as well as extra time with the rabbi’s family. Since I no longer had anywhere to go, I moved into a vacant family vacation home, where I spent my days watching countless videos of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s talks. There, in isolation, I worked to improve my Hebrew reading skills, spending hours in prayer and study.”
As I listened to David share his story, I thought back to the way I concluded my first article about Elisheva. At the time I did not know what had become of her, so I simply wrote what I imagined: “In my dream, she is holding hands with her skirt-wearing daughters, while her kippah-wearing husband is talking to her in a soft, kind voice.”
Incredibly, David is that kippah-wearing husband, and they do have a little girl. Sometimes, reality is even more magnificent than dreams! Yet I could have never imagined that while Elisheva was finding her way to the Jewish people, David was seeking the same truth in another part of the world.
While David was alone in his journey, fortunately Elisheva had support of her mother.
When I asked David where he drew his courage, despite his loneliness and the resentment from his family, he explained:
“In one of the many arguments with my mother, she tried to reason with me, saying that even if I was to convert to Judaism, I would never truly belong because no ‘real’ Jew would ever marry me. She was certain that I would be completely alone in the world.
“She was worried that I would have no friends, no community, and no support. She was genuinely concerned. I was surprised by my own reply when I asked her, ‘What is the difference between gold and aluminum?’ She was confused by my question. I explained that while both metals seem similar, gold is infinitely more valuable and rare. I understood that I could have a lonely, unfamiliar life, yet to me the value of the ‘golden’ truth was infinitely greater than all the noise of the mundane ‘aluminum’ world.”
David found his authentic truth, and nothing could stand in his way.
“At the end of my second year of intense studies, Rabbi Rodal smiled and announced that by Rosh Hashanah I would be counted as a 10th person in the minyan. I was converted by a Beit Din, a Jewish court of law, in Brussels, on the 24th day of the Jewish month of Elul. I didn’t know it at the time, but the day already had significance as it is Elisheva’s birthday!
“Two months after my conversion, I went to study at a yeshiva in Safed, Israel. Rabbi Rodal arranged and paid for my studies. No words can express the gratitude that I feel. His time, generosity, thoughtfulness and financial support can never be repaid. I simply want to emulate his kindness by the way that I live my life. This is the only way I can honor the rabbi that changed my life.”
Two years prior to David’s arrival in Israel, his future wife, Elisheva, was studying a few blocks away in this same city, growing in her own journey. Three years later, their destinies would merge.
After studying in Israel for two years, David went on to learn in a yeshiva in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y. Once again, he was embraced by the kindness of the Jewish people. He met the Blizinsky family who “adopted” him as their own. He ate every meal at their house, where he met their niece and her friend. The young women knew Elisheva, who was teaching in London at the time, and thought of introducing them.
When I spoke to David about meeting his wife, he concluded that the story was nothing short of a miracle. “When I began to date, my parents were not the only worried ones. Many people expressed their concern for my future. After all, I had a complex identity and an unusual past. At some point, I decided for myself that if I was not married or engaged by my 24th birthday, I would never find the right girl. While this was a silly notion, the thought haunted me. In the end, Elisheva and I celebrated our engagement on the night of my 24th birthday.”
Elisheva and David were married in London in October 2018; their wedding was attended by friends and rabbis from China, Italy, Israel, Australia and the United States.
Today, David’s parents are proud of the life he has built with Elisheva. They love to visit and play with their beautiful granddaughter. David’s grandmother has also visited. David is a rabbi and continues to spend his days learning Torah. His wife is his greatest supporter.
Before we concluded the interview, I asked both David and Elisheva about their future dreams. I was not surprised by the answer of this power couple.
“Our dream is to emulate all the kindness we received along our journeys. We hope to become Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries, shluchim, and find the place in the world where we are most needed.”
I wiped away tears as I looked through the screen of my Zoom meeting with this Chinese-born young woman and Catholic Italian-born young man.
Throughout their journey, David and Elisheva experienced Divine guidance and tremendous kindness, empathy and dedication from the Jewish people. The way these seekers of truth were treated, respected, and cared for offers us a glimpse to the powerful, eternal Light of the Jewish nation.
Their journey is a clear reminder that when a person wants to find a path back to the Creator, no obstacles will stand in the way. As David pointed out: “A life where G‑d’s ways are revealed is a life of true blessing!”
An interview 50 minutes with Elisheva and Sofya. https://www.chabad.org/multimedia/video_cdo/aid/4764886/jewish/A-Chinese-Girls-Journey-to-Judaism.htm
Hello Darkness a story of Art Garfunkel and a blind man. https://www.timesofisrael.com/hello-darkness-a-blind-mans-lifelong-friendship-with-art-garfunkel/
Milestone: Rabbi Friedman passes away. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285050
Magnetic field during the destruction of first Temple measured. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/284942
Milestone: Sumner Redstone. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285170
In Memorial: Helen Freedman. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285193
Inyanay Diyoma
Just before Shabbos 2 boys from Kfar Silver near Ashkelon went missing. The two were found in a classroom. https://www.timesofisrael.com/large-searches-after-two-brothers-7-and-4-go-missing-in-southern-israel/
If new elections are called, we will put forth legislation disqualifying Netanyahu. https://www.timesofisrael.com/thousands-expected-to-mass-at-netanyahu-residences-in-latest-protests/
Elections may be looming in the background. https://www.debka.com/is-another-election-looming-over-israel-in-mid-covid19-cum-economic-crisis/
Fireworks were stored near Ammonium Nitrate in Beirut. https://www.timesofisrael.com/fireworks-were-stored-in-same-beirut-warehouse-as-ammonium-nitrate-report/
Effigy of Nazrallah hung. https://www.timesofisrael.com/cutout-of-hezbollahs-nasrallah-hung-in-noose-during-protest-over-beirut-blast/
Gaza sends more balloons. https://www.timesofisrael.com/police-sappers-neutralize-balloon-borne-incendiary-device-near-kibbutz-nir-oz/
Teargas used at Beirut protesters. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/B1cSSSnbw
Ed-Op Europe must wake up to Iran. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rJVKcTIWP
Gaza students return to school. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/HyocK11311w
Mrs. Obama is depressed because of you. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/284902
Ed-Op on Gen. Flynn and Judge Sullivan. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/284884
592 dead from Corona. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/284921
Beirut’s only Synagogue still standing. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/284920
Synagogue’s destruction prevented. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/284919
US Intelligence shows Iran, Russia, China are interfering in the 2020 election. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/284917
Ed-Op Dr. Martin Sherman calls upon Commanders against Sovereignty to look us in the eyes. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/284880
Hello Darkness a story of Art Garfunkel and a blind man. https://www.timesofisrael.com/hello-darkness-a-blind-mans-lifelong-friendship-with-art-garfunkel/
Report blast in N. Korea. https://americanmilitarynews.com/2020/08/video-appears-to-confirm-reports-of-deadly-blasts-in-north-koreas-hyesan-city/?fbclid=IwAR0qTxDjHZIBeNrgr-x1gnm72fr4WBQ1ySRpt8gD95Pk0ZMk0Sw_BycZAMc
Empty Hamas Posts bombed in reply. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/284980
IDF threatens to make stronger replies (like bombing 3 or 4 empty observation posts)
In 9 days over 100 deaths in Israel as 600 deaths recorded in the USA 5,000,000 cases. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/284980
UAE reunites Yemenite family-film. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/284926
Almost was the first Jewish Joint Chief of Staff Head. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/284937
Beating Netanyahu at his own game. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rJ1XhHa11v
Calls on FB to adopt intl. definition of antisemitism. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/284972
Thousands of Arab families sneak into Israel and storm the beaches in turning a blind eye. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/284940
Israeli Prisoner in Ecuador with goods on crimes of ex-president murdered in jail. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/284932
Magnetic field during the destruction of first Temple measured. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/284942
Israel closes border with Gaza: https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-closes-gaza-border-crossing-after-spike-in-arson-balloon-attacks/
Alert in North Lowered. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285037
Corona deaths rise 13 to 613. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/MBPNSEZBU
POTUS pulled from press conference. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285048
20 more dangerous containers in Beirut Port. https://www.timesofisrael.com/at-least-20-more-containers-of-dangerous-chemicals-still-in-beirut-port-expert/
Lebanese Government falls. https://www.debka.com/politicians-bolt-from-lebanons-cabinet-parliament-in-aftershocks-of-beirut-mega-blast/
Mini-space labs help bring cures. https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3844014,00.html
Supreme Court takes over Democracy. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285051
Women killed in N.W. Baltimore gas explosion. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285035
If re-elected Trump could reach a quick Iranian Deal. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285057
Yad L’Achim rescues woman from Arab helps with Bris for son.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285003
How will the Charedim vote on budget delay? https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285012
Religious Right to run united. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285025
Russia massive fuel tank explodes. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285034
Popular Jewish Singer sings at a boys camp his latest song: “4 more years because we love America”. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285090
Miracle: child drowns and revived. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285078
Arabs from Gaza light 60 fires. https://www.debka.com/palestinian-arson-balloons-ignite-60-fires-on-israel-fields-and-woodland/
Israel hits a few weapons supply depots in Gaza. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285059
Iran shuts down paper that tells a more truthful version of Covid deaths. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285052
Kazakhstan adds grave of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak as National Heritage Site. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285059
Harrisburg, PA Schul vandalized. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285068
17,000,000 slaves in Arab Countries. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285070
Five lean years for Israel. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285094
Biden taps Pamela Harris. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/Hk2BkYgzw
Could we face a lockdown? https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285143
Holocaust Mask site shuts down. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285135
Attempt to hack Defense Ind. Foiled. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/HkX11oPZfv
Israel attacks Hamas’s naval facilities and other places. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285195
Arrow 2 missile tested. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285191
Fuel deliveries to Gaza halted. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285201
Assad has low B.P. and almost faints. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285200
Milestone: Sumner Redstone. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285170
In Memorial: Helen Freedman. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285193
Called Dirty Jew beaten in Paris. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285134
Hadassah helped with Russian Vaccine. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285181
Infant hit by car in Yerushalayim. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285188
Election Campaign starts as Sara Netanyahu throws out victim card. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/H14djt11zP
UNIFIL tough negotiations. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/BkePR2WGv
Dubai, Bahrain, Sudan and more may follow https://www.debka.com/israel-and-uae-sign-first-normal-relations-accord-with-gulf-nation/
Hamas infrastructures attacked. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285260
Advanced centrifuges to burnt facility. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285278
Israel to reopen skies. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/285240
Medical facilities under pressure Ed-Op. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkqA2ayfD
REPENT NOW AND AVOID THE ELUL-TISHREI RUSH. Remind Teshuva (repentance), Tefillah (prayer) and Tzeduka (charity) done and given in sincerity avoid the evil decree.
A good and healthy Shabbos to all and guard your health and words,
Rachamim Pauli
