CPCL #7 • Chanuka 5763 Editor: Batsheva
Pomerantz; contact —
aloh-naaleh@aaci.org.il Rabbi Yehoshua Weitzman, head of the Ma'alot Hesder Yeshiva, explains the different practices. Purim reminds us of a miracle which took place outside Israel, where it is only as if one hears of miracles. The events of Chanukah took place in Israel, where one is closer to God, and therefore sees the miracles. This difference, Rabbi Weitzman notes, is apparent in the choice of words of the Babylonian Talmud versus that of the Jerusalem (Eretz Yisrael) Talmud. When the Babylonian Talmud presents a proof to an argument, it uses the introductory phrase ta sh'ma ("come and hear"). The Jerusalem Talmud introduces proofs with the words ta chazi ("come and see"). The mitzvah of Chanukah is seeing the candles, since Chanukah commemorates a miracle of Eretz Yisrael, where one is closer to God and therefore sees the miracles directly. Eretz Yisrael in Our Sources - “...The Land upon which you lie, to you I will give it, and to your descendants.” (B’reishit 28:13) Rashi quotes the Gemara that says that G-d “folded” all of Eretz Yisrael under the sleeping Yaakov to hint to him that the future conquest of the Land should be as easy as the four Amot of an individual’s personal domain. The 2-word phrase ERETZ YISRAEL appears 4 times in Tanach, plus 7 more times with a prefixed letter. Of course, there are very many references to the Land, but ERETZ YISRAEL per se appears only 11 times. [Shmuel, Melachim (3), Yechezkeil (3), Div.HaY. (4)] Assisting the Oleh Rachel helps with all stages of finding work: job networking, writing an effective resume in Hebrew / English, preparation for the interview, locating retraining courses, understanding the contract, and assistance through MATI (Jerusalem Business Development Center) for those starting their own businesses. Many of those helped by the Tehilla Employment Service volunteer to help others find work. The Tehillataasuka email sends lists of job postings. To get on this list, email rachel@tehilla.com Tel: 02-625-8802 Aliya Pen Pals lists names and email addresses of olim, both veteran and recent, who are willing to correspond with potential olim, providing whatever assistance possible. Each issue lists some names according to profession. Potential olim can email magence@netvision.net.il to contact David Magence for additional names and addresses.
Here to Stay • Inspiring stories of olim from all years of aliya, professions and different parts in Israel for the "Here to Stay" column are welcome. The essay should be up to 450 words long and emphasize motivation for aliya, contributions to Israel, how Israel contributed to the oleh, the main challenge or difficulty in aliya and overcoming it. Please avoid publicizing businesses and com- mercial enterprises. Send the essay to: aloh-naaleh@aaci.org.il. Tzvia Ehrlich-Klein of Jerusalem writes for various publications in Israel, England, and the U.S.A. Among her books, the following are aliya-related: "On Cab Drivers, Shopkeepers and Strangers", "On Bus Drivers, Dreidels and Orange Juice", "Happy Hints for a Successful Aliya" (published by Feldheim). She has edited several books including "To Dwell in the Palace" (Feldheim), an anthology on life in Israel. It's almost 35 years ago that I first came to Israel. As with so many turning points in life, I didn't realize that it was one. No, I wasn't a "Zionist" waiting to
return to the Land. I was merely a college student who came to study for my
Junior Year Abroad at Hebrew University. So the next year I made aliya. To this
crazy, impossible country where everything was so different from my little
Jewish princess world which I loved. But somehow, deep inside, I knew that
it was important to be here. But I did know that this was "home", and that, just by living here, I was doing something important with my life. Even if I never did anything else. I knew that just by living here I was being an active part of Jewish history, contributing to and doing something important for our People. Almost 35 years later, I still feel this way. Difficulties in life exist no matter where in the world you live. But being a living part of 2000 years of our heritage, going shopping along paths that King David walked, and building a life where Jews for generations could only dream of being - what an honor, what a thrill, and what a privilege! How lucky I am! And the peripheral rewards? I know I am a very different person than I would have been writing ad copy on Madison Avenue. Doing "hands on" chessed is much more an integral part of my life here than it ever would have been even with all of the chessed projects available abroad. My children learned to read Rashi in 2nd grade. Cab drivers have taught me that I "won't get rich" on the half-shekel change that they - or I - don't have. My ideas, values and level of Yiddishkeit are different - bigger and deeper. In Israel, what you "do" is not who you are, but merely a way of making money. I am a better, more vibrantly alive person here, and I am very, very grateful. Because I am living every day in the Land that even Moshe Rabbeinu couldn't enter. Anthology on the Mitzvah of Yishuv Ha'Aretz • The book "To Dwell in the Palace: Perspectives on Eretz Yisroel", edited by Tzvia Ehrlich-Klein, was first published in 1991 by Feldheim Publishers. This anthology appeals to a wide range of readers: Potential olim, new or veteran olim, adults who came to Israel as young children, tourists, educators and shlichim who will gain insights from the essays and empathize with the stories. They were written by Orthodox Jews who have made Israel their home, finding fulfillment living here as Jews. Rabbi Zev Leff's introduction "Where is the Religious Aliya from the West" refutes the factors cited by religious Jews against aliya. The essays, which don't ignore the difficulties of life in Israel, discuss the fulfillment of the mitzvah of Yishuv Ha'Aretz by examining the Torah sources. Topics include trials of the avot and Am Yisrael, faith, teshuva, leaving parents, materialistic versus spiritual assets, and verbal denigration of Israel. Ahuva Artzi, in the section entitled "Things My Shaliach Never Told Me", presents stories highlighting the positive aspects on living in Israel. She notes: "I did not make my move to the Land of Israel because of the promises of any shaliach, nor can I believe that anyone did…. Since I have been living here, however, I have discovered innumerable fringe benefits, things the shaliach never even hinted at, that lend an added element of joy to the fulfillment of the mitzvah of living in the Land of Israel." Included in this section are stories on hosting Shabbat guests, a wedding under Jerusalem skies, preschoolers' birthday blessings to their friends and using the Hebrew date. A list of further reading material about
Eretz Yisrael is included. Speaking of Holidays...• The feeling that one is in Eretz Yisrael is so very strong at Holiday time. All holidays. Take Chanuka, for example. Since Isru Chag of Simchat Torah, sufganiyot have been an ever-increasing feature of bakeshops, grocery stores, kiosks, and street vendors. In recent weeks, stores, stalls, and tables in the street have featured every imaginable size, color, and design of Chanuka candle, Chanukiyas, glass oil cups, wicks, olive oil, dreidels, s’farim, CDs and tapes, and various and sundry gift items for Chanuka. Posters all over the city (and country) have been proclaiming a myriad of Chanuka programs for all tastes. Radio and TV also make one amply aware of Chanuka. And then comes Chanuka itself. Nothing
beats Jerusalem for the early evening experience of walking through the
streets. Many, many people in Yerushalayim have gone back to the original
venue for Chanuka candles, namely, outdoors. In a variety of
aquarium-looking metal and glass boxes, the Chanuka lights burn brightly and
proudly, proclaiming: [The Parshat
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