Some Final thoughts..

What a wonderful trip! Our recent B’nai Israel trip to Israel was life changing for some and dramatic for all of us. The memories, the pictures and souvenirs will long be treasured as we reflect on the eleven days that we spent together in Israel. I am so thankful that our group of 24 were able to travel safely and experience Israel from a unique B’nai Israel perspective. (see our photos at http://bnaigainesville.smugmug.com/ )

Our last Shabbat in Israel was special in a number of ways. There was the prayer at the Western Wall, the drama of being in Jerusalem for Shabbat and havdalah at a Yeshiva. But, more importantly, that last Shabbat also marked two unique events on the Jewish calendar. First, was the observance of Shabbat Zachor, the special Sabbath of Remembrance that always precedes Purim. We are commanded to read the words on that day to “remember Amalek” and the evil deeds perpetrated on the Jewish people. But one memory brings up another and when in Israel we could not help but remember the brave men and women who fought so hard, over so many years to secure the State of Israel with the hope and dream that one day we can live together in peace.

“Zachor” or “remembrance” works not only to remember the sad or difficult things that have befallen our people. We also must remember some of the good times, the richness, opulence and piety that our forefather enjoyed in the worship of God. We recall the days of the Temple when priests and levis took care to protect, as best they could, the sanctity of the Jewish people. We recall the dispersion, the shtetles in Europe and the rich life that Jews developed in Europe, Spain and North Africa. We recall the Jewish enlightenment and the development of Jewish philosophy and ethical identity. Yes, remembrance is one key to our knowing just who we are and where we came from. Memory can sustain us and bring us great richness.

But there was another facet to that last Shabbat in Israel for it was also the first parashah in the third book of the bible, named Vayikra (known in English as Leviticus). One of the interesting points of Shabbat Vayikra is that the aleph of the first word (which we know as Vayikra – translated “As God called to Moses”) is written significantly smaller than the surrounding letters. Why? Why not write the aleph the same size as the surrounding letters?

Many reasons can be given for the small “aleph” in the word. Some suggest that it points to the personality of Moses. Others suggest that it tells us something about God’s message to Moses. But the truth is neither of those reasons. No, the truth is that the word Vayikra ends in an aleph and the next word in this Hebrew sentence is “Ail” which means “God”. Both the end of “Vayikra” and the beginning of “Ail” contain the letter “aleph” and ancient Hebrew manuscripts frequently condensed letters to save valuable parchment. At some point in time, an ancient scribe, worried that either word would be misunderstood inserted a small “aleph” into “Vayikra” to indicate the correct spelling of the word and to show that this letter was inserted. This scribe worried that unless the place were saved, different meanings would corrupt our holy scripture.

It occurred to me while in Israel that these tidbits on that Shabbat could teach us all a lesson appropriate for Israel’s 60th Anniversary. You see, our memories empower us to build upon the successes of our ancestors and to not repeat the errors of our forefathers. Memory is a crucial aspect for understanding the Israeli vitality in persisting to fight for peace in the Middle East. And too, the small aleph of the word Vayikra teaches us that it is absolutely crucial to “hold the place” securely so that our future is not misunderstood. At all costs we must be ready to defend our people and our country for it is in them that the future is truly held.

There are many to be thanked for our wonderful trip to Israel but none would have traveled if it were not for the efforts of Taal, Erin, Candice, and Einat. Their support made the trip easy and memorable. Mostly though, I want to thank the 24 who traveled with me and gave me hope that one day soon our children will celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the founding of the state. They will celebrate because we will have taught them that memory is now theirs and that holding a place – whether in a text or in territory that we call the State of Israel – can be so very important.

Bvracha,

Rabbi David Kaiman