Personal
On this page you will find articles that focus on those chance or passing moments in our personal lives that appear to be outwardly small but are significant nonetheless for their influence upon our mood, our feelings of connection with others, and our spiritual lives.
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Going to Israel
You have arrived early enough at the airport to check in for your flight to Israel. You
know the routine: the ticket agents ask you for a photo ID, the security agents ask you
questions concerning your safety. But what if you were to hear their questions in a
slightly different frame of mind?
Meditation:
What is your name? (What is the meaning of the name by which you are called up to The
Torah for an aliyah?)
What is the purpose of your trip to Israel? (What difference do you hope this trip might
make?)
Did anyone help you pack? (Who has influenced you to take this trip; who has readied your
soul so that this will be a journey like no other?)
Did anyone give you anything to take with you? (What experiences and what people
symbolically accompany you?)
Did anyone speak with you before you trip? (What ancient words speak in the back of your
mind as you depart?)
Teaching:
Rabbi Nathan, biographer of Rabbi Nahman of Bratslav:
"There were several reasons for Rabbi Nahman’s voyage to the Land of
Israel…Indeed, for all the things he did he never had a single reason, but rather
thousands and thens of thousands of deep and elevated motivations – most especially
so for this great journey to Eretz Yisrael."
"Rabbi Nahman tol Rabbi Yudil that he wanted to go to the land of Israel. Rabbi Yudil
offered him this blessing: ‘Great Rabbi! Surely you want to perform some great things
there. May it be God’s will to help you do that which you intend.’"
(from Hayyey Moharann)
He’yu ni’chonim.
Be ready…prepare yourselves.
(Exodus 19:15)
(CLAL Faculty)
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