14 May MTC Highlights: Parshat Bamidbar
Lauren Friedman - Educator
Parshat Bamidbar
Here in Israel we are experiencing many acts of violence, something new to many of us who come from abroad. Rosh chodesh Sivan was this Wednesday, which gave us a source of happiness in these trying times.
The avodah of chodesh Sivan is spiritual growth. It is the month we receive the Holy Torah.
Previously, Am Yisrael was given the Torah on Mount Sinai and was commanded to immerse in a mikvah, in order to be spiritually cleansed and ready for this gift. We experience a similar event on rosh chodesh Sivan.
Sivan, the month of spiritual growth is all about receiving the Torah and entering an elevated spiritual place. Through rosh chodesh Sivan we are preparing to receive the Torah on Shavuot. We want to approach Hashem, in our nicest dress, ready to learn with a pure soul.
This week has been a rollercoaster, we have had to turn to Hashem and ask him to please help us. Help us continue to live as the best individual, and nation we could be. Hashem is right here with us, holding our hand and saying “Look, things are difficult but you’re getting the Torah again in just 4 days…”
This Shabbat, more than ever, we will be waiting for Shavuot to arrive. to greet us with all its love. Where do you turn when things are difficult? To the Torah, to the book of tehillim sitting on your bookcase. From this we receive clarity and direction.
On Tuesday when a siren went off in Netanya, something that no one expected, all the children ran to the shelter. While in the shelter, all the siblings were huddled together saying tehillim for Am Yisrael. These children are not necessarily from religious backgrounds… but in their heart they know where to turn when they need help.
With Hashem’s help we will receive the Torah on Shavuot and it will bring us clarity, happiness and spirituality. AMEN!
Shabbat Shalom.
Student Reflection
Leah Maayan - Yonkers, NY - SAR, NJ
We started this week off at Netzer Chazani where we were privileged to hear multiple first hand accounts of Gush Katif and to learn about the lives of our host families. Shabbat was really inspiring and a great contrast with the week ahead.
On Monday morning we had a beautiful Hallel and prepared to go into Jerusalem to celebrate Yom Yerushalayim. Our hearts hurt to discover that we could not enter into the old city for safety reasons, but our spirits were still high upon entering Jerusalem. Walking with the parade and dancing and singing with Am Yisrael was a truly beautiful and unique experience, but the scene quickly changed with the siren. Our night ended earlier than expected, but we continued to sing & cheer on our way out of Jerusalem. We would not let them take our simcha.
On Tuesday night, our night Seder was disrupted by yet another siren. We joined the children of Bet Elazraki in their bomb shelter and said Tehillim with them. It was so inspiring to sit with my boys and pray, but also deeply unsettling— they are just kids and should not have to witness this. That night, when I put my kids to sleep, one of them asked to sleep with my Tehillim book that I had just purchased that day, and kept his kippah on in bed. He felt he needed more protection. He felt unsafe.
It’s very hard to come out of a week like this with a positive mindset. It’s difficult to remember that G-d is with us and keeping us safe. But it’s vital that we keep our spirits high and that we don’t show our fear. Am Yisrael Chai. No one can take our spirit away.
