5/10/14
There’s nothing quite like waking up on a kibbutz at the
foot of the Golan Heights on Shabbat morning, especially when your alarm clock
is the distinctively unpleasant cackle of the resident peacock. But we were all
happy to make our way to breakfast to begin what ended up being a wonderful
day.
While waiting for our entire group to gather we had a quick
and impromptu Shabbat service right beside the busses. We said good morning to
Moti and Moody who then drove us to Tel Dan. Tel Dan is both a nature preserve
and an archaeological site. The river that runs through Tel Dan is one of the
main tributaries of the Jordan river and the sound of rushing water gives Tel
Dan a meditative quality. We stopped along the way to engage in a short Torah
study in honor of Shabbat and then toured the remarkably well- excavated ruins.
We saw the altar where our ancestors offered sacrifices as well as the king’s
throne. Before leaving we splashed around in a beautiful wading pool and
definitely ended up with very cold feet. But that was only the start of our
aquatic endeavors.
The Jordan River occupies an iconic place in the imagine of
Jews, Christians, and Muslims. It’s the Jordan’s status as a symbol of the land
of Israel that makes it majestic, not the mighty flow of the current. Rafting
down the Jordan on Shabbat is a wonderful experience. First, you’re surrounded
by Israeli Arabs who are doing the same since Shabbat isn’t their “day of
rest.” There’s something very hopeful about Davis kids bumping rafts with
traditionally dressed Muslim women, all with an understanding smile. Then
there’s the inevitable spirit of competition that arises among the kids—which
raft will “win” the (nonexistent) race, who will get the rabbi the most wet
etc…
We worked up an appetite while rafting and then satisfied
said appetite by eating freshly baked Israeli pizza. By fresh baked I
mean—cooked before our very eyes. Corn, tuna, green olives, labneh and
zatar—these are the toppings that come on Israeli pizza. Have I mentioned yet
that our kids are great eaters?
After lunch we explored the Golan Heights. We took a moment
to appreciate the tremendous historical and contemporary importance of this
beautiful area. We stood where Syrian soldiers had stood between 1948-1967
casually firing artillery and dropping bombs on the Israeli villages below. We
also travelled to Mt. Bental, an overlook that is both safe and close to the
Syrian border. While standing at Mt. Bental and looking into Syria we heard at
least ten loud booms—explosions from the Syrian civil war. We took a moment to
pray for the innocent civilians whose lives have been and are being destroyed
by the senseless tragedy. We also learned that many injured Syrians have been
treated in Israeli hospitals free of charge.
Though our day was packed we had a few hours to simply enjoy
Shabbat afternoon on the kibbutz. Kids played Frisbee, took naps, strummed
guitars, wrote in journals, hung out with chaperones and simply enjoyed the
essence of Shabbat—the gift of time.
In the early evening we gathered for Havdallah (the ceremony
that concludes Shabbat and separates it from the rest of the week). We explored
the idea that Havdallah helps us mark a significant transition in our weekly
routine and compared Havdallah to the Israel trip by suggesting that the Israel
trip represents a significant transition of a different nature. Alex L. had
bought a ring in Tzfat that had the Hebrew phrase, “gam zeh yaavor” written on
it. That means, “This too shall pass.” We explored the idea that part of being
human means being open to change. Things that we long to hold on to and things
that we can’t wait to be rid of—they all pass with time. Using a song set to
these Hebrew words we took some time to share some of the memories and experiences
from our trip so far that we hope will never pass. By singing the words “gam
zeh yaavor” we were acknowledging that they will pass, but that we can be
forever changed by them.
Havdallah was beautiful and included remarks from some of
the chaperones as well as from Eli K. who held the Havdallah candle. After
Havdallah we sang a few of our favorite songs including, “One Day” by Matisyahu
and “Lean on Me.” From there we went to a beautiful poolside BBQ. We took a
night swim, ate delicious food, and are now packing for the upcoming day.
There are many milestones over the course of the Israel trip
but Shabbat is the main one. We entered this Shabbat as tourists, but I think
everyone now feels truly at home here. We entered this Shabbat still finding
our ruach, our communal spirit, but
now we are singing, dancing, stomping our feet, hugging, and crying (sometimes
almost all at once). This Shabbat was about connecting—to Israel, to Judaism,
to nature, and to one another. We’re stronger together, and we’re rested and
ready for the next couple of days which will be both physically and emotionally
exhausting!
Shavua Tov,
Rabbi Micah
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