Hello Everyone! We are excited to introduce you to another writer among us. We will refer to this individual as "The Marine". He has some wonderful things to say here and we are sure you will enjoy this just as much as we did:
Towards the end of my deployment in Afghanistan, I learned how to don the tefillin in my hooch between patrols with my platoon from one village to the next. There, I had fifty other Marines with me protecting each others' back. We felt almost invincible. But when I was deployed to Iraq, a lone Jewish Marine Corps Officer among hundreds of Iraqi soldiers in a remote region of the Syrian border, I had to live with keeping my religious identity to myself.
I recall the loneliness I would feel while standing on the berm separating Iraq from Syria, staring across the desert and dreaming about being in Israel only a couple hundred miles away. I would laugh to myself how I could drive there and back in a day and nobody would have to be the wiser. So close, but a world away. It was like a kind of torture. Maybe Moses felt similar when he wasn't permitted to enter Canaan. I hope not.
As an imbedded trainer among 1,500 Iraqi soldiers, I had to conceal my identity twenty-four hours a day. In the eyes of the Iraqis that I was training, I was just another blue-eyed, Christian American. My teammates (all nine of them) understood my situation and knew that my religion had to be kept a secret. I couldn't even have "Jewish" on my dog-tags. We had two Iraqi translators who lived with us, and after a few months we built trust and they learned of my religion, but still I always felt I had to watch my back extra carefully. I was always afraid that somehow my religious identity would get out and an Iraqi officer smiling at me one moment would put a bounty on my head ten minutes later.
My one moment of consolation was going into our team hut on our compound, stepping behind my poncho liner hanging from the ceiling, putting on my tefillin and talit (which I received from the Aleph Institute) and saying the Shema and daily prayers. My teammates thought it was a strange ritual, but respectfully showed understanding and once in a while even a slight curiosity. I've been told that Jewish Marine Corps officers make up one half of one percent of the USMC. Truly, the very few and just as proud.
Raised as an unobservant Jew in Hollywood, CA, I never considered putting on tefillin. On a visit to Israel with a youth group, a group of Chabad Hassidim in Jerusalem offered to help me put on the tefillin and say a prayer. Being a rebel teenager, I thought it was a silly novelty. But in Iraq where IEDs, roadside bombs, snipers, and gunfights were an everyday occurrence and I knew that each and every day might be my last, I cherished my tefillin.
It was my invisible shield. I would physically put it on while I said my prayers, but even after it was removed, I felt that the presence of G‑d would stay with me and see me through one more day. Or at least give me the courage to face my death if my number was up. I've always believed in G‑d, but being in a high stressed combat environment helped bring my love of G‑d closer than ever.
Since returning from Iraq, I have returned to an almost normal life and, feeling less vulnerable, have since placed my tefillin aside. But after writing this message, I realize that whether in a combat zone surrounded by potential enemies who may or may not hate Jews (let alone a Jewish Marine Officer), or home amongst the tribulations, chaos and temptations of American life, placing my "shield" of G‑d over my body and mind to keep me grounded in His power and love is as important now as it was in the Iraqi desert. I may have felt more at risk in Iraq, but with my tefillin, tallit, and prayer, I feel more whole and complete, as if I carry the spirit of G‑d closer to me.
Maybe that's why I should start putting them on again, here at home. Keep G-d close all the time. We all need Him. And also, never forget who you are or your roots.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Rythm of the Universe
I like to believe that there is a song to the universe. That beyond the daily hustle & bustle, there is a tune to which life is playing, & that our task is to learn the rhythm of the Divine plan & fall into step with it.
You can see when someone is in sync with the song. You can see it on their face, in their eyes, the way they talk, the way they lead their life. These individuals have the strongest faith; they do not live in doubt, they have nothing to fear. They radiate joy; they are happy people.
I have learned that in order to fully connect to a melody, you must be able to let go of yourself. When you are preoccupied with details, you cannot truly listen, & when you are afraid to lose control, you cannot truly sing. A genuine artist can deliver sincerely because he knows how to lose his inhibitions. In turn, the music becomes his refuge, enabling him to leave life's worries behind & be absorbed in a world beyond the physical.
The same is true for the song of the universe. When G d composed it, He promised that it would protect us. He promised us that if we walked with Him we would be blessed to see the good in a world that may be fraught with pain. But in order to hear the Divine song, we must know how to put ourselves aside. When we can honestly surrender to G d, we are no longer bogged down by life's obstacles; it is then that we become a vessel for His infinite blessing.
There is a well known Chassidic story of Reb Shmelke of Nikolsburg who approached Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezeritch (known as the "Maggid") with the following question:
How can the Talmud tell us that an individual must bless G d for the bad with the same joy as one would bless G d for the good? How is this humanly possible?
In response, the Maggid sent Reb Shmelke to the great Chassidic master, Reb Zushe of Anipoli, who suffered terrible hardship in his life.
Reb Shmelke repeated his question, to which Reb Zusha responded:
"You raise a good point, but why did our Rebbe send you to me? How would I know? He should have sent you to someone who has experienced suffering."
Indeed, Reb Zushe could hear the song. In a life filled with difficulties, he only knew goodness because he had sensitized himself to the Divine composition of the world & was wholly in tune with the Creator.
But, one may ask, how many can aspire to the spiritual heights of Reb Zushe?
However, it is clear that the Maggid did not send Reb Shmelke to Reb Zushe to simply highlight Reb Zushe's piety. For the Talmud's directive - that one must bless G d for the bad with the same joy as one would bless G d for the good - is towards every individual, not only the tzaddik.
The Maggid was showing Reb Shmelke & each & every one of us in turn, that what the Talmud mandated was humanly possible; that learning the Divine song of the universe was truly achievable.
Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned from the philosophy behind the Suzuki Method of music education: that every child can make great strides in music regardless of the talent he or she initially displays. Japanese violinist Dr. Shinichi Suzuki believed that the difference between the prodigy child & the average child was simply a matter of time. With this empowering message he inspired hundreds of seemingly ungifted children to grow, to listen, & to ultimately unleash the potential they possessed.
Indeed, we can all get there. True, no two souls are alike, & when we embarked on the journey from above to below, each soul was affected by the descent in its own way. Some of us passed through the ethereal worlds with nary a scar; some of us arrived less spiritually aware. Yes, some of us are naturally more in tune with the Divine song, but we can all learn it. It is simply a matter of time.
Granted, it is a challenging experience, filled with frustrations & epiphanies, sorrows & joys, but it is a fascinating experience all the same. For it seems that every happening in an individual's life serves to unravel another part of G d's composition. I imagine that with each test G d is saying, "Here is one more piece of My song."
Every hurdle that we rise above is one more chord that we master; each moment that we believe is another note learned; & every recognition of G d in an exiled world means that we have discerned another nuance in the Divine symphony. As we journey through life we build, verse upon verse, until we reach the crescendo of an unbreakable bond with our Creator.
I used to sit behind her in the synagogue, my grandmother. Her face was weathered, her body frail, her legs could barely support her tiny frame.
During the services, there were moments when she wanted to cry. When they opened the ark & took out the Torah scrolls, everything became a blur & she was a young child again, in the synagogue in Germany. When the cantor sang the "Shema Yisrael", she heard the cries of her family as they were dragged to the gas chambers in Auschwitz, the words of "Shema Yisrael" on their lips.
But she did not cry. She stood up with the rest of the congregants as the Torah is raised, steadying herself by holding onto the table in front of her. She closed her eyes, thanking G d for her life, grateful for the opportunity to praise Him. (She often reminded us to be grateful to be part of His Kingdom)
I watched her, in awe, so many times. How strong & brave is the Jewish spirit! How valiant she was; she had witnessed what should have torn her down, & yet she continued to struggle to survive.
I lower my eyes when I think of those days, my grandmother & her stories. I am humbled. Master of the Universe, You have created the human with a mind that is sharp, & a heart that is gentle; but You have placed this being in a world of harsh dichotomies; a world of experiences that cannot be reconciled by human intelligence & emotion. The sharp mind cannot comprehend; the sensitive heart is easily broken. We ought not to withstand the journey of life, but we persist. We want to learn Your song.
I believe that when you listen to the music in your soul, when you walk in tune to the melody of your spirit, it is then that your life becomes like a dance; one single flow of energy, rising & falling to the rhythm of your destiny.
I'm still learning the song; it is a lifelong journey. But with every step I take, I look towards those who are already dancing to it.
G-d Bless.
J
You can see when someone is in sync with the song. You can see it on their face, in their eyes, the way they talk, the way they lead their life. These individuals have the strongest faith; they do not live in doubt, they have nothing to fear. They radiate joy; they are happy people.
I have learned that in order to fully connect to a melody, you must be able to let go of yourself. When you are preoccupied with details, you cannot truly listen, & when you are afraid to lose control, you cannot truly sing. A genuine artist can deliver sincerely because he knows how to lose his inhibitions. In turn, the music becomes his refuge, enabling him to leave life's worries behind & be absorbed in a world beyond the physical.
The same is true for the song of the universe. When G d composed it, He promised that it would protect us. He promised us that if we walked with Him we would be blessed to see the good in a world that may be fraught with pain. But in order to hear the Divine song, we must know how to put ourselves aside. When we can honestly surrender to G d, we are no longer bogged down by life's obstacles; it is then that we become a vessel for His infinite blessing.
There is a well known Chassidic story of Reb Shmelke of Nikolsburg who approached Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezeritch (known as the "Maggid") with the following question:
How can the Talmud tell us that an individual must bless G d for the bad with the same joy as one would bless G d for the good? How is this humanly possible?
In response, the Maggid sent Reb Shmelke to the great Chassidic master, Reb Zushe of Anipoli, who suffered terrible hardship in his life.
Reb Shmelke repeated his question, to which Reb Zusha responded:
"You raise a good point, but why did our Rebbe send you to me? How would I know? He should have sent you to someone who has experienced suffering."
Indeed, Reb Zushe could hear the song. In a life filled with difficulties, he only knew goodness because he had sensitized himself to the Divine composition of the world & was wholly in tune with the Creator.
But, one may ask, how many can aspire to the spiritual heights of Reb Zushe?
However, it is clear that the Maggid did not send Reb Shmelke to Reb Zushe to simply highlight Reb Zushe's piety. For the Talmud's directive - that one must bless G d for the bad with the same joy as one would bless G d for the good - is towards every individual, not only the tzaddik.
The Maggid was showing Reb Shmelke & each & every one of us in turn, that what the Talmud mandated was humanly possible; that learning the Divine song of the universe was truly achievable.
Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned from the philosophy behind the Suzuki Method of music education: that every child can make great strides in music regardless of the talent he or she initially displays. Japanese violinist Dr. Shinichi Suzuki believed that the difference between the prodigy child & the average child was simply a matter of time. With this empowering message he inspired hundreds of seemingly ungifted children to grow, to listen, & to ultimately unleash the potential they possessed.
Indeed, we can all get there. True, no two souls are alike, & when we embarked on the journey from above to below, each soul was affected by the descent in its own way. Some of us passed through the ethereal worlds with nary a scar; some of us arrived less spiritually aware. Yes, some of us are naturally more in tune with the Divine song, but we can all learn it. It is simply a matter of time.
Granted, it is a challenging experience, filled with frustrations & epiphanies, sorrows & joys, but it is a fascinating experience all the same. For it seems that every happening in an individual's life serves to unravel another part of G d's composition. I imagine that with each test G d is saying, "Here is one more piece of My song."
Every hurdle that we rise above is one more chord that we master; each moment that we believe is another note learned; & every recognition of G d in an exiled world means that we have discerned another nuance in the Divine symphony. As we journey through life we build, verse upon verse, until we reach the crescendo of an unbreakable bond with our Creator.
I used to sit behind her in the synagogue, my grandmother. Her face was weathered, her body frail, her legs could barely support her tiny frame.
During the services, there were moments when she wanted to cry. When they opened the ark & took out the Torah scrolls, everything became a blur & she was a young child again, in the synagogue in Germany. When the cantor sang the "Shema Yisrael", she heard the cries of her family as they were dragged to the gas chambers in Auschwitz, the words of "Shema Yisrael" on their lips.
But she did not cry. She stood up with the rest of the congregants as the Torah is raised, steadying herself by holding onto the table in front of her. She closed her eyes, thanking G d for her life, grateful for the opportunity to praise Him. (She often reminded us to be grateful to be part of His Kingdom)
I watched her, in awe, so many times. How strong & brave is the Jewish spirit! How valiant she was; she had witnessed what should have torn her down, & yet she continued to struggle to survive.
I lower my eyes when I think of those days, my grandmother & her stories. I am humbled. Master of the Universe, You have created the human with a mind that is sharp, & a heart that is gentle; but You have placed this being in a world of harsh dichotomies; a world of experiences that cannot be reconciled by human intelligence & emotion. The sharp mind cannot comprehend; the sensitive heart is easily broken. We ought not to withstand the journey of life, but we persist. We want to learn Your song.
I believe that when you listen to the music in your soul, when you walk in tune to the melody of your spirit, it is then that your life becomes like a dance; one single flow of energy, rising & falling to the rhythm of your destiny.
I'm still learning the song; it is a lifelong journey. But with every step I take, I look towards those who are already dancing to it.
G-d Bless.
J
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
The “Tipper” Miracles: Part Three: The Incredible Tippers
We now find ourselves to the final part of this series of blogs. The most enjoyable part most likely. Not to mention the part we will all be most familiar with. In the world of the “wait staff” the incredible tipper is always the most welcome. They go above and beyond in gratitude and generosity. This doesn’t, necessarily mean that they are the best in the bunch. Truth be told, in my experience, many of these tippers don’t just hand out these tips on a whim. They make sure that their waiter or waitress earns it. They expect attention, respect, smiles, and gratitude. Some will even run us ragged. They expect us to understand that they aren’t required to leave extra...they aren’t even required to leave anything at all.
What’s this have to do with miracle? I think some of you may already know. This is about the incredible miracles. This is what you find when you type the word miracle into a Google search. This is what you hear about in messages at church or in synagogue. This is what people remember and desperately pray for. This is the stuff that commonly makes people in general sit back and say “wow” and even makes some nonbelievers rethink everything they thought they knew. These miracles are G-d giving us a very slight taste of what He can really do. They are also G-d reminding us just how mortal we really are.
These miracles are when someone beats all odds and recovered from a horrific illness or injury. When a parent sudden feels that something is very wrong and finds that they just knew their child desperately needed them right away. When a husband or wife knows that something is wrong with their spouse even though the two could be miles apart. The list is limitless because G-d is limitless. I believe G-d absolutely loves giving us these miracles. Like any parent, I believe He loves being able to help us out and lift us up out of a rough situation and make things better. But like any good parent, He also knows that constantly saving us from a situation or even ourselves is counterproductive.
I have heard it a million times, “If G-d is so powerful, why doesn’t He fix the world? Why doesn’t He snap His fingers and get rid of the violence and the hungry? If this stuff still exists, maybe He doesn’t care or even exist. G-d hasn’t given me any miracle, maybe I did something wrong.” I am sure many of you have heard at least one of these lines as well. We’ve seen some of our readers comment with these lines. In my past, I myself have used at least one of these lines. In difficult times it can be harder to believe that there is an all powerful being looking down on us. But consider something with me as I paint a picture for you.
Some of you are parents or even aunts/uncles or grandparents. When your child messes up, they instantly look to you to fix it, especially when they are young. As they get older, as hard as it can be for a parent, you need to start stepping back and letting them clean up their own messes. It’s the only way they can truly grow. When a parent instantly fixes everything, all the child seems to learn is that it doesn’t matter if I do this (again), mom and dad will fix this. The same goes for us and G-d. Our human side has a sinful nature that is here to stay. G-d can cleanse and cleanse all day long, day after day, but do you really think that is going to make everything better? He could snap His fingers and force us to be G-dly and well-behaved but that would consist of taking away our free will to choose. He loves us more than we can even begin to imagine, in good times and in bad. And sometimes, in those bad times, we need to lean on that more than anything. In some of these bad times, we may be left with only our faith in G-d to help us move forward. So many at times seem to think that it’s enough to acknowledge G-d and claim faith; but do you REALY have faith in Him? Faith is an “easier said than done” thing in the worst of times. It’s these struggles that will ultimately define you and your faith in G-d.
Now back to the miracles. Some of you have or are witnessing these incredible miracles. I myself have been privileged to witness them on more than one occasion. And I will tell you now, I can’t even being to describe the feeling when you see it. For me, my face lights up, my heart swells with a mixture of excitement, relief, amazement, joy, and awe; and my eyes fill with happy tears. Now, like our tippers, I believe that G-d wants acknowledgment as well. When are we most likely to pray and lean on Him? In bad times. When money is tight or life is changing or there is a chance of losing someone to sickness, you will find people praying like they have never prayed before. But what about when we are in good times? What about when all your ducks are all in a row and there are very few worries in your life? G-d wants our love, prayers, and praise in these times as well. He’s there by our sides no matter what, watching and loving. Shouldn’t we do the same for Him in return? As I said, the incredible tippers aren’t required to leave extra or anything at all. You know what, neither is G-d. He’s here and He loves us because He WANTS too. He wants nothing more than to see His creations blossom and thrive and to love Him in return. Don’t you think we could do that for Him...at the very least?
What’s this have to do with miracle? I think some of you may already know. This is about the incredible miracles. This is what you find when you type the word miracle into a Google search. This is what you hear about in messages at church or in synagogue. This is what people remember and desperately pray for. This is the stuff that commonly makes people in general sit back and say “wow” and even makes some nonbelievers rethink everything they thought they knew. These miracles are G-d giving us a very slight taste of what He can really do. They are also G-d reminding us just how mortal we really are.
These miracles are when someone beats all odds and recovered from a horrific illness or injury. When a parent sudden feels that something is very wrong and finds that they just knew their child desperately needed them right away. When a husband or wife knows that something is wrong with their spouse even though the two could be miles apart. The list is limitless because G-d is limitless. I believe G-d absolutely loves giving us these miracles. Like any parent, I believe He loves being able to help us out and lift us up out of a rough situation and make things better. But like any good parent, He also knows that constantly saving us from a situation or even ourselves is counterproductive.
I have heard it a million times, “If G-d is so powerful, why doesn’t He fix the world? Why doesn’t He snap His fingers and get rid of the violence and the hungry? If this stuff still exists, maybe He doesn’t care or even exist. G-d hasn’t given me any miracle, maybe I did something wrong.” I am sure many of you have heard at least one of these lines as well. We’ve seen some of our readers comment with these lines. In my past, I myself have used at least one of these lines. In difficult times it can be harder to believe that there is an all powerful being looking down on us. But consider something with me as I paint a picture for you.
Some of you are parents or even aunts/uncles or grandparents. When your child messes up, they instantly look to you to fix it, especially when they are young. As they get older, as hard as it can be for a parent, you need to start stepping back and letting them clean up their own messes. It’s the only way they can truly grow. When a parent instantly fixes everything, all the child seems to learn is that it doesn’t matter if I do this (again), mom and dad will fix this. The same goes for us and G-d. Our human side has a sinful nature that is here to stay. G-d can cleanse and cleanse all day long, day after day, but do you really think that is going to make everything better? He could snap His fingers and force us to be G-dly and well-behaved but that would consist of taking away our free will to choose. He loves us more than we can even begin to imagine, in good times and in bad. And sometimes, in those bad times, we need to lean on that more than anything. In some of these bad times, we may be left with only our faith in G-d to help us move forward. So many at times seem to think that it’s enough to acknowledge G-d and claim faith; but do you REALY have faith in Him? Faith is an “easier said than done” thing in the worst of times. It’s these struggles that will ultimately define you and your faith in G-d.
Now back to the miracles. Some of you have or are witnessing these incredible miracles. I myself have been privileged to witness them on more than one occasion. And I will tell you now, I can’t even being to describe the feeling when you see it. For me, my face lights up, my heart swells with a mixture of excitement, relief, amazement, joy, and awe; and my eyes fill with happy tears. Now, like our tippers, I believe that G-d wants acknowledgment as well. When are we most likely to pray and lean on Him? In bad times. When money is tight or life is changing or there is a chance of losing someone to sickness, you will find people praying like they have never prayed before. But what about when we are in good times? What about when all your ducks are all in a row and there are very few worries in your life? G-d wants our love, prayers, and praise in these times as well. He’s there by our sides no matter what, watching and loving. Shouldn’t we do the same for Him in return? As I said, the incredible tippers aren’t required to leave extra or anything at all. You know what, neither is G-d. He’s here and He loves us because He WANTS too. He wants nothing more than to see His creations blossom and thrive and to love Him in return. Don’t you think we could do that for Him...at the very least?
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