I'm on the train back from a wonderful (way too short) time in Kiryat Shmona. I had been planning to go up since Elul, but the tea leaves never ended up aligning. But I felt like I needed to, for a couple reasons. First of all, on a personal level, all is great in my life TG. Amazing wife, amazing kids, amazing job, amazing apartment, amazing families, and I even get to learn with my Zayde every day. But I felt like I needed to reprioritize myself on things like Davening, squeezing more learning time in, Asher Yatzar, etc. The other reason is that this country feels like a train that is off the train track in the past few weeks. Whether its politicians saying dangerous things, terror attacks, inflation, or all of these protests, I feel like its a little bit of a mess right now. I debated if to come this week during the Shiva of a student, and I decided that if it was a sad atmosphere, I wanted to be part of it (by the time I got there, there were still pictures of him everywhere, and overall sadness, but not over encompassing).
So I decided to go to Kiryat Shmona, which is a second home for me, to recalibrate myself. There is something special about the city that gives me this calmness and internal happiness whenever I get near it and especially in it. And further in, the Yeshiva, that is the beating heart of the city. Even at work, my computer screensavers are a picture of Yeshiva and of the Chermon. Basically, I needed to recalibrate myself, and I am so happy I was able to be selfish and do it (thank you to my amazing Shiffy and kiddos).
I came up after work yesterday, and 4 hours later, passed the familiar junctions of Koach, Gome, and finally got to Mor. I got up the hill together with a Shiur Hay kid. I davened Maariv, and immediately started learning Messilat Yesharim Intro, Beur Adam Beolamo, and 2 Pereks of Zehirut. Zehirut is mainly telling you to do Cheshbon Nefesh at intervals so you can change your ways. I then got to go to RedMeat, my favorite place in KY8 with Akiva. It was great to sit with him, it has been a while. And he is overall happy, which always makes me happy to hear other people are happy. I had the Taleh Burger, with Seasoned Fries, and a coke. Once we got back to Yeshiva, I learned about Davening by Rav Sherki. My main takeaway was the fact that its hard to Daven, and that is ok - it's even part of its charm. Afterwards, I got to sit with some Shiur Bets that I like a lot, and then Rav Arye. I then practiced Megillah and went to find a room to stay in. The guys in the room I picked were so nice, chill, and welcoming, even though they had lost a friend from their year literally 3 days ago. It was nice to sit with them. I then went to say hi to Shindler, caught up on a little bit of urgent work, and went to sleep.
In the morning, I woke up early (maybe earlier than ever before in KY8 not including makolet working days?) and got to watch sunrise outside, and breathe the air on my favorite porch in the world. Davening was meaningful, and so was the learning after (more about Megillah, and Tzorba on Purim). I then went to my favorite nature walk in the world to sit, breathe, and look at KY8, the Golan, the upper Galil, and the Chermon in the air. It was like time stopped, it was so amazing.
Then I went to the Makolet to say hi to my old friend. I gave them business because I bought the boys who had lost a friend and welcomed me to the room some pastas, sauce, and a brownie making box. They deserve a nice Erev Cheder. I then met Naomi for lunch at RedMeat, and ordered the exact same thing. It was great to see her, I'm glad she is doing well. I then got a ride to a train with Ravs Arye and Zand who were going to the Shiva.
It wasn't about the content that I was able to learn (though that was fascinating too). It was about reprioritizing what is important, and reminding myself who is running the world. And also eating some RedMeat. And even if just for that, Dayenu.
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