Growth and Development for a Hebrew Birthday

Today was my Hebrew birthday, always a difficult day for me. I am not sure when it became such a hard day. Perhaps it was when I realised how many years had been taken up with a chronic illness, perhaps it's the realisation of how many moves I have made. Perhaps it's the fact that I seem to put in so much effort but still the struggles remain. If I could just have some stability, that would help so much. I mean 43 moves in one life time is really quite insane.

So I rounded up my mom and my husband and off we went to Kever David and the Kotel tunnels. To me this was really significant. Firstly David HaMelech (King David) had really wanted to build the Temple and put in so much effort. It was of course his son King Solomon who had the merit of building the First Temple. King David wrote Tehillim, the Psalms that are filled with his own struggles on all kinds of levels. King David certainly endured much suffering but came through it all praising Hashem. It's so very special to live in the Holy Land of Israel and to be able to visit these special places. A strong reminder that the history we read of in the Bible and teachings form Judaism are not just stories they are real!

As we walked from the grave of King David to the Kotel, the above image was one of very many impressive sites that we could visit or enjoy along the walk. The image says so much. I don't know enough about the history of all the excavations, but it has a powerful effect when standing and pondering it for a while. There are places that have some signs with information. One can learn up more for those who are interested. For me, it is enough to have that strong message that King David yearned for the Temple and here I was walking to the ruins where the Temple had stood. What will it take for this generation to internalize the same kind of yearning that King David had?

The line today to get to the Kotel was super long. It seemed like every tour in Israel was coming to the Kotel today. I thought the waiting would never end, but of course, as King Solomon teaches, everything has it's time and so the time to go through to the Kotel happened for us too.

Going into the tunnels is so incredible. I love being able to see the progress as the team working inside excavates, improves, cleans. Do they do some building too? Finally we were able to stand at the very special place that is opposite the Holy of Holies. Praying there is always special. It would be nice if the tour groups would have some more respect for those who are praying. Oh well, I guess we have to put in our fair share of struggling to make up for what Jerusalem has been through.

All in all, it was special to have the opportunity to have the reminder of what is important in life and where our focus should be. Focus on the Temple is something that we have our attention on during our prayers three times a day.

With all the crowds and the pushing, we were left with mixed feelings. The place helps to give one a reminder of what is important to the life of a Jew. It helps us to realise just what a miracle took place in the Holy Temple every time the Jews gathered to pray. Quite a thought to consider that there was enough space for everyone? A total miracle!

As the day draws to an end, I ask you to join me in reaching my goal. To use my skills to develop a special centre. The centre contains a number of services. We have even spoken about having a vehicle that we can use to take groups of students or visitors to visit these Holy places and Kivrei Tzaddikim. What are your thoughts about visiting these Holy Places? What are your thoughts about the Kotel? Do you yearn for it like David HaMelech did? Will you join in to build a centre that has services set up to do our part in Hastening the Final Redemption?

This post is prepared for you by

Shoshanah Shear

Occupational Therapist, healing facilitator, certified infant massage instructor, freelance writer and co-author of "Tuvia Finds His Freedom" and author of "Healing Your Life Through Activity - An Occupational Therapist's Story"

Who Belongs in Israel?

I did not expect to find it in a professional group, but the issue about occupation in Israel creeps in there too. I do not like to get into politics but if pushed then here is the answer. If you would like to know who belongs in Israel, the answer is to be found in Tanach. G-d created the world. The vast majority of the land is available to the 70 nations who are not Jews. There is one tiny stretch of land that G-d instructed with a very specific purpose. When that purpose is fulfilled, peace radiates out to all of the world. 

It is really so simple. We follow the way that the creator of everything wants, and the result will be life, goodness, peace, unity and blessing. Go against His direction and the result is the opposite.

If you would like to know where those sources are to be found, sign up to study with Rabbi Eliyahu Shear. The answers are all quite clearly written in the Torah and then the additional section which makes up Tanach. 

If you would like to begin entering in to debating why you believe that someone other than who G-d directs to live in Israel should be here, my answer is take your argument to G-d. I have no time for such matters. There is too much work to be done in building the land. 

If you still wish to argue my response is - what about the promise that G-d offers? Don't you want peace? Don't you want unity? Don't you want blessing and goodness and life? These are the gifts that G-d promises to following His will. The Tanach is filled with stories of what happens when we try another version of what G-d wants. Along with His directive as to who should live in Israel and what should take place here is an entire lifestyle of how to live. I am not the one to make this up. It's right there in the Tanach. Only do yourself a favour and read the original. 

If you do not understand Hebrew, sign up for a shiur. Rabbi Shear is happy to read the Hebrew and translate. If you would like to do some of your own reading, Rabbi Avraham Greenabaum has notes available in English. He also teaches Torah for the nations, ie all those who are not Jews. Yes, G-d has given a way of life for the non-Jew too. It is not as complicated or as much responsibility, but there are 7 laws for you to follow. Find out what they are and what you can do to bring peace, unity, kindness, respect and life. Real life.

The choice is yours, do you want life and all the goodness and blessing that G-d offers with that or would you prefer the opposite?

This post is prepared for you by

Shoshanah Shear

Occupational Therapist, healing facilitator, certified infant massage instructor, freelance writer and co-author of "Tuvia Finds His Freedom" and author of "Healing Your Life Through Activity - An Occupational Therapist's Story"

Progress After the Fires

Almost a week ago, I noticed a discussion about the needs of those who were affected by the fires in Israel. I began to network to find out just exactly what the needs are. One question asked was what organisations are involved and assisting since some outside of Israel prefer to give to a recognised organisation only.

Surprisingly it has been difficult to find out specifics. I have offered a number of people to write a guest post to describe / outline the need but thus far nothing has come through. I have heard of about 4 families who lost their house, completely. However, to be told my friend's house burnt down. they have x number of children of y ages, does not explain their needs. It does not say my friend lost her house. They need x number of beds suitable for adults or children or whatever kind of beds are needed. Or we already have beds but are in need of linen. The more details are known, the more effective help can be.

Someone sent me an article that told of a Holocaust survivor who had lost her house. The story is written up on Arutz Sheva.  It is a little unnerving to hear her say, even losing her house is not nearly as much as what she went through in the Shoar. She has a powerful message to give over at the end, she says the items lost are just things, what is important is to keep strong relationships.

I heard of a number of private crowd fundraisers being set up. They are not by recognised organisations, they seem to be either Jews needing to re-build their homes or other caring Jews trying to raise the money to help in some way. I heard of an appeal being made by JNF, exactly what they will be doing with the funds collected I am not 100% sure of, I just heard of the collection taking place.

I heard of an appeal that had been made for second hand clothes and shoes that received so much they had to stop donations coming in. It was amazing also to hear of Neve Tzuf that had received enough items to begin the homes of 20 families once more, now all they need is monetary donations to re-build the actual homes.

One fact that is clear is that the economy has been hit quite severely. For now, I leave the invitation that if anyone has specific details of what needs have not yet been met, please send in a guest post or make a comment on the end of this blog. In the meantime, I am busily setting up another website. This one will be to sell all kinds of handmade items. These items will be exclusive, unique items with care given to quality service. This is one of several channels we are developing to earn what we need to build our Torah centre. Stay tuned for news as it happens and please support our sales and services. Be a part of building an exciting Torah centre, at the end of the day, increasing in Torah and acts of kindness is the most important activity to be involved in so as to re-build Israel.

This post was written by:

Shoshanah Shear

Occupational Therapist, healing facilitator, certified infant massage instructor, freelance writer and co-author of "Tuvia Finds His Freedom" and author of "Healing Your Life Through Activity - An Occupational Therapist's Story"

Fact Finding After the Fires

We are doing a little fact finding here, please help as much as you can.

 

Last week I posted about the real need in Israel for help on many levels. My article: Israel Needs You spoke about the need for prayers, Teshuvah, Tzeddakah to appeal to Hashem for rain and end the fires. Thank G-d a few days later the fires were completely put out and yesterday the rains began. But the needs in Israel continue.

75 000 Residents in Haifa were evacuated from their homes. But Haifa was not the only city affected. The entire town of Beit Meir was evacuated. 15 Homes in Neve Tzuf were destroyed. The list continues. 

Yesterday, I noticed a discussion or debate. Among the concerns was whether second hand clothing would assist and what a country with a weak currency could possibly do to help. I put something out on my FB group and a few other groups asking if anyone know real facts. We'd like to hear actual facts. If you know anyone in Israel who was affected by the fire, please email to let me know what is actually needed. If you know of any organizations who are legitimately helping, please be in touch. We are putting together a list to send to those debating what the need is. Let's put the questions to good and re-build Eretz Yisrael even better than it was before the fire.

We look forward to hearing from you

Shoshanah Shear

Chessed Ve'Emet

Gaining Inspiration from Colmobil

It is so exciting working on developing a centre. I never know what each day will bring, who I will meet, who I will interact with and what I will learn about the development of Israel as the country that it is today. Every day therefore brings new adventures and new surprises.

I am working on a specific project and through a phone call was recommended to take a look at the website of Colmobil to find some information that I need. I have just read the story of Colmobil and all I can say is WOW! What an inspiring company. What a love for Israel and our people. I could write a summary here and for those interested, I have not yet looked up the information I was researching. But before I do so, please go and take a look at the story of Colmobil. You will learn something about the Yom Kippur war and details of action that took place behind the scenes. If you are looking for inspiration and a reminder of dedication to Israel and the Jewish people, this story will surely inspire you.

Enjoy your reading and let us know in the comments below what inspiration you gained from reading the story.

Shoshanah Shear

Chessed Ve'Emet