Sukkot in the Country!!!

It's now Motzei Shabbat here in Jerusalem, though still Yom Tov at home in Toronto, and I just returned from spending an amazing sukkot in Efrat, a breathtakingly beautiful modern Orthodox community located in the countryside just 20 minutes south of Jerusalem. My journey began Friday afternoon when I set out with my friend Josh (who was visiting his relatives at the other end of town) towards the Tachana Hamerkazit, the Jerusalem central bus station which is in reality located t the entrance to town across from the convention centre. The bus station was huge, and beautiful (as I think it was completed only a year ago), and offered a lot of security, including going through 2 metal detectors and sending bags through an Xray machine, which made me feel so safe. The first 2 levels of the station are actually an upscale mall, and the buses themselves only leave starting on the 3rd floor! After asking for help (in Hebrew!), we found the gate for the Efrat #167, and got in ‘line’ (do they have those in Israel), which was a good thing, since we were lucky to get two seats next to each other, as the bus was more than standing room only. After making 2 more stops in Jerusalem, the bus wound through Gilo and started down the tunnel road, which bypasses Beit Lechem and brings you directly to Gush Etzion, the region of Jewish settlement south of Jerusalem. Soon we arrived in Efrat and started dropping passengers off in the various neighborhoods, which are named for the seven species of the land of Israel. I got off at the last stop in Givat Rimon (pomegranate hill) and after one wrong turn, found the home of the Schwartz family. I was immediately welcomed into the family, and as well met their nephew Yedidya, who is studying at Maale Gilboa and went to Bronx Science for high school, providing a lot of Jewish geography. Soon after catching my breath and showering, Shabbat/Yom Tov came in and we walked over to the main shul for the Rimon neighbourhood (one of seven in Efrat, each named after the seven species) called Neta Binyamin. The service was packed, a combination of the importance of Sukkot for this modern orthodox community, and the many guests in town who had also come to spend Yom Tov in the country. After maariv, I went back ton the Schwartzs’ for a very festive and delicious Yom Tov meal, including some nice singing and learning. After dinner, Yedidya and I had the opportunity to study a bit with Baruch and appreciate his scholarship. A bit later, I was able to witness a somewhat homegrown Efrat custom of sukkah-hopping, where kids of all ages travers the entire community, stopping at each sukkah and having a snack so they can make the bracha leisheiv basukkah, to dwell in the sukkah. After that, we collapsed the sukkah table and brought out mattresses to sleep on for us young people-it was pretty comfortable, since it didn’t get too chilly even in the middle of the night. It was actually one of the best sleeps I’ve gotten in a while.
In the morning, I woke up and went to shul with Baruch, Yedidya and Shlomo at 8:15. It ended up being a little longer than usual for them (we were still done in under 3 hours!), due to the reading of kohelet (which was read in its entirety from a kosher scroll, meaning that a bracha was made over it just like on Megillat Esther) and a Bar Mitzvah, who read the Torah reading and Haftarah very well. Due to the Bar Mitzvah, we were treated to a nice Dvar Torah by Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, one of the founders and Chief Rabbi. Following Tefillot, we returned to the Sukkah for Kiddush and appetizers. At that point, we were treated to an interactive Shiur by Baruch on the biblical roots of Sukkot. We continued with the main course and quickly said birkat hamazon, since Mincha was at 1 PM. At the quick mincha service, Yedidya got Hagbah and I did Gelilah. We went back for some light dessert, after which I ended up taking a nice nap for a few hours. A bit after I woke up it was already time to go to shul for Maariv. We made Havdalah in the sukkah, and since Chag was over, turned on the TV and caught the last few minutes of the Israeli soccer game against Russia, which it tied 1-1 in some last minute action. We had dinner in the Sukkah again, and then I had a real treat. The Schwartz’s friends who live a few blocks away have an Arava (willow) tree in their yard, so we went and cut fresh aravot- it was so neat to make the bracha on Araba Minim that I picked out (and picked). A bit later I met up with my friend Josh, who had been spending sukkot at the other end of Efrat, and Shlomo dropped us off at a unique Efrat institution- the Trempiada, where one can wait for cars leaving the city who have extra seats, and catch a free ride. We lucked out, and after a little while, found a ride whose destination was only a block from Beit Nativ!
Moadim l’simcha!

Finally: The Kotel!

Since after a month of being in Yerushalayim, I hadn't yet made it to the Kotel, I decided I had the sudden urge to visit there. Therefore, I decided to be crazy and wake up early on my day off (friday) and head to the Kotel. It was a nice 25 minute walk down towards the Old City, around the walls and into the Zion Gate. After that, I criscrossed through the Jewish Quarter, noting the many sukkot popping up left and right, and started the descent to the Kotel. After passing through security, I headed down towardss the prayer area and found a Minyan that had just started Birkot Hashachar, so I didn't have too much trouble catching up. Although it was a bit annoying being asked for money every other step, I enjoyed a nice and meaningful davening. On my way back to our base, I couldn't get over thinking that just 40 years ago, Jews did not live in the Old City, were unable to go to the Kotel, or view the breathtaking vistas that I have attached. We defibtely have much to be thankful for when we praise God as rebuilder of Jerusalem, Boneh Yerushalayim. Tonight marks the beginning of Sukkot, which I will be spending in the community of Efrat, about 25 minutes south of Jerusalem, withy the familt of Dr. Baruch Schwartz who was in Toronto just a few weeks ago.
חג שמח! Chag Sameach!
View from the walk to the Old city:














In front of the Kotel:














The Kotel:

ושמחת בחגך Pre-Sukkot Fun

This afternoon was dedicated to preparing for the holiday of Sukkot. Myself and my friend Sarah prepared a study session for our group about Lulav and Etrog, after which we helped assemble the two Nativ Sukkot!




























Following that, Nativ took a trip to the Shuk Arabbat Haminim to buy Lulav and Etrog for sukkot. t was so neat to see all of the different vendors hawking their wares and trying to get us to buy from them. I bought an entire set of Arba Minim for about 70 shekel, which was such an amazing experience. Hopefully you can get a taste from these puctures. Chag Sameach!

A Virtual Tour of my Backyard!

Since I had a bit of time on my hand this afternoon after we ended classes early, I decided to take a few pictures of my surroundings. Fasten your seatbelts and be prepared to arrive in the centre of Jerusalem!
My room:














Our Kitchinette/lounge:














The Beit Nativ Lobby:















Our Beit Knesset:














Beit Nativ Exterior:














The Conservative Yeshiva:































Outside of main Fuschberg Centre building:




























View from our roof: South on Rechov Keren Hayesod















North on King George st. (The Prima King Hotel, Heichal Shlomo)

A Thought, or 'vort'

Last week, my friend Sarah and I chose to switch from a philosophy clas at the Yeshiva, which we weren't getting a lot out of, into a course in Hassidut, which has defied my expectations. before I give my vort (the Hassidic term for a short D'var Torah), I wanted to bring in a bit of Jewish geography, the fact the couse is taught by Rabbi Dr. Pesach Schindler, one of the most amazing teachers I have ever had, who happens to have been the Educational director at Adath Israel from 1959-65!
In any case, one of tthe topics which came up in our discussion today was the Hassidic concept of hitlahavut, which literaly translates into 'excitement', but truly means a higher kind of excitement which brings God and others into the picture. My moment of Hitlahavut that came to mind happened just yesterday, at the end of Yom Kippur Mussaf, when the entire shul was full of the most amazinbg ruach. Although we were all tired and hungry, the singing and energy began and enveloped all of us. After the Birkat Kohanim (Duchening), the Shaliach Tzibur immeadiately led into a rousing rendition of Sim Shalom to the niggun of 'Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu,' a popular modern hebrew song that talks about peace coming upon us. This soon flowed into a heartfelt singing of B'sefer Chaim, followed by hayom sung to a popular Carlebach Niggun, and a beautiful Kaddish Shalem in unison. To me, this is one true meaning of hitlahavut-the fact that I could join with other Jews, most of whom I had never met before, and participate in a moving and uplifting tefilah. I hope that you can take this message just as I did and cherish the special and unique moments of hitlahavut, when we are connected to both God and others.

Yom Kippur in Jerusalem: An unforgettable sight

Its now a little after 9 PM Motzei Yom Kippur, and I'm just taking some time to unwind and reflect on my fast. One of the most unique parts of the observance was not only the time spent in shul, but spent outside of it as well. Sunday morning, I woke up early to dip in the mikvah again, an especially popular tradition here on Erev Yom Kippur. It was again, a very spiritual experience, and the price isn't bad, since I get a 50% discount for being a Yeshiva student! And where else do you have a public Mikvah 4 blocks away! During the day we had some study sessions to get ready for the chag, and a little time to relax. At 3:15, we had our seudah hamafseket (final meal before the fast), and soon after, we got rwady to leave for various shuls. I chose to spend Yom kippur again at Yedidya, since I enjoyed the ruach and singing there, as well as the fact that it is religiously somewhat close to what I was used to back in Toronto. When I left Bet Nativ and started heading south, it was so neat to see gradually less and less cars. As we were walking down Emek Refaim, the siren which brought in Yom Kippur sounded and vehicle traffic just about came to a halt. Services for Kol nidre were packed, but very nice, as there was alot of singing and participation from the congregation. Services started at 5:15 and were over in about 2 hours, so we then started our walk back, which was itself one of the highlights of my yom kippur. As soon as I got onto the main Road (Rechov Pierre Koenig), I noticed that it was absolutely filled with people walking and bike riding, and it was the same breathtaking and beautiful scene the entire walk home, especially passing through Emek Refaim, one of Jerusalem's busiets commerical areas and seeing every last store shuttered, and pedestrians and bicyclists as far as the eye could see . When we got back to our base (diagonally across the street from the Prima Kings hotel), my friends and I decided that it would be the coolest thing ever if we were to sit down in the middle of a normally busy interesection of King George and Agron sts. (think Bathurst and Wilson!). It was so amazing that we were able to sit there for about half an hour, and its definitely a memory that I will rememer for years to come.
This morning I left for shul with bunch of other nativers and again returned to Yedidya. The tefillot were very nice again, but some especially notable points included: Yiskor, which included Hazkarot for Holocaust victims, Israeli soldiers and very sadly, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin; The end of Musaf, which was a very high point with palpable ruach and some very catchy tunes used; and the neilah services, which ended with spontaneous dancing ater the shofar blasts and a very heartfelt singing of L'shana Haba-which was especiallu amaing, since I anm here in Yerushalayim! The day itself was very smooth, with us starting at 8:15, a break from 1:45 to 3, and the fast ending at 6! Break the fast was very nice as I spent it with my Abba's friend Kobi right next door to shul. It was very good company, and good food, which I heard beat what was served here!

I hope that all of you had a good and meaningful fast!

שבוע טוב Shavua tov

Another Amazing Shabbat in Yerushalayim

Since yesterday morning, I have been blessed with many opportunities to get out and experince life in the city outside of our complex and the Yeshiva. On Friday, a little before noon, I went wirh my friend Jacob for a little authentic Jerusalem shopping, which included buying handmade kippot at the Kippah man, a little hole in the wall on Rechov Yafo, and then moved onto Agrippas where we did some pre-shabbos shopping in and around Machane Yehuda, the Jewish shuk. Whuile there, we got huge falafekl's from a stand just inside the shuk that is said to be one of the best in Israel-I was full after eating half of it! Afterwards I headed back to base to get ready for shabbat, and just take a bit of time to unwind after a busy week. After showering and getting ready, I walked down to the emek refaim area to daven Kabbalat Shabbat at Shira Chadasha, known as the Orthodox Egailtarian minyan, where there is a mechitza but women are permitted to lead parts of the tefillot such as Kabbalat Shabbat. I thought that the singing was very beautiful and inspirational, but that the service was a bit long to do every week. Afterwards, I walked a little bit to the outskirts of Katamon to have shabbat dinner with my chevruta (study partner), his wife and a couple other students from the Yeshiva. It was very nice having a relaxed shabbat dinner, some nice conversation and especially some beautiful singing, since two of the students are in Cantorial school! Following Birkat hamazon, I walked back towards 'home', passing by the Prime Minister's house on the way, and had a tish in Gan Haartzmaut (the park next to the Sheraton Plaza) with my Nativ friends who were in Jerusalem for Shabbat, and we had some food and drink, along with stories and singing. Around midnight, I headed to bed to make sure that I would be able to get up for shul in the morning!
This morning I woke up and around 7:45 left to daven at my favourite shul in Jerusalem, Yedidya with my friend Hillel. One of the features which reminds me of home is the fact that its about a 35 minute walk, just like when I was crazy and walked the same distance to the Hashkama minyan . This morning there was a bar mitzvah, which was very nice since not only did he do a flawless job with his Torah and Haftarah reading, but gave a beautiful D'var Torah in hebrew which I understood almost perfectly. I also enjoyed the harmonizing throghout, along with the cute little girl who led anim zemirot *(Yedidya is a modern Orthodox shul with a very liberal mechitza, and with such innovations as allowing women to carry the Torah, open the ark, asnd recite the prayer for Israel). After a deluxe kiddush, we walked back to Beit nativ for a nice and pretty delicious shabbat lunch. After som zemirot and birkat hamazon, I went back to my room for a nice 3 hour shabbat nap. A little later, I walked with a few friends to the beautiful little shul in Yemin Moshe for mincha, where I got to open the ark and a friend did hagbah. We returned to base for Seudah shlishit, Maariv (which I led), and Havdalah!
שבוע טוב!