EVERY MOMENT OF LIFE IS A GIFT

​Dear Friends,

I haven't been in touch for a really long time. So much has happened since we we were last in contact.

The Corona epidemic emptied the schools here in Eretz Yisrael. At first many of the girls who were planning on being at home for Pesach were sorely disappointed - they knew if they were to return that they couldn't get back into Israel without 14 days of quarantine, which can't take place in a dorm. Then, as the need for greater precautions were announced, it was clear that the schools would have to close, leaving the girls with not option but to return.

The salt water that you will soon be eating at the seder was felt and the recognitions that Hashem is forcing so many people out of His land was bitter. The isolation that the government had the foresight to impose was the first ray of light from my perspective. No distractions.  No escapes.

You have no choice (unless you want to fill the empty spaces with denial) to recognize that every breath of air is a gift. 

Every moment of life is a gift.

Every person you encounter is a messenger with something Hashem has arranged for him to give you.

This week's parsha, Tzav talks about many offerings. One of them is the korban todah. It was offerred when a person recovers from a serious illness, is released from prison, returns from a potentially dangerous sea journey, or crosses the desert. I can hear the audible 'why?' but the nagging question that I ask so many times, raises its head: 'Well, who caused the illness?". Who allowed the danger?" The answer as usual, is far more complex.

The Torah tells us that in the future all of the sacrifices will no longer be offered except for the Thanksgiving offering. The reason that it won't join the other korobonos is because, in the future, you will see that all of the pain, lonliness, danger and feelings of being trapped and imprisoned, were all for your good.

Hashem gave me personally a wonderful gift, in bringing me my chossen, Rabbi Gottlieb together. I hope that some of the light we feel can be felt by you too.

Emunah is the source of all joy.
Make it yours,
Let it make you its beloved companion.

a safe shabbos,

Tziporah