An incredible Evening in Efrat

 I just got back from an incredible evening in Efrat. What a night of uplifting inspiration, in the wake of true tragedy. As Rabbi S Ki told me, it is literally black and white. 

I decided I needed to go to Efrat, to be there for the D family. It turns out, they gave me much more Chizzuk than I gave them. And after I had already planned to go, I saw on Facebook, that REG, RSK, and another Rabbi I had never heard of, were going to give a night of Chizzuk in Efrat that same night. Shiff was cool about me going, and so I was excited. 

I drove straight to the D house, where I was able to get into the tent pretty immediately as they had just reopened. I sat, and (it was Yom Hashoah), got to listen to a Survivor talk about how the struggles RD is going through reminds him of a time 85 years ago, when many people he knew went through similar things. Once our turn ended (there were 5-10 minute shifts thanks to the thousands and thousands pouring in, I went to RD and said I am so sorry for he is going through. I told him that his speeches at the funerals were so inspiring, and I also listen to REG every week. I told him REG is nice to hear, but it is amazing to see the words of such powerful Emunah being put into words.

I got back in line, and sat down to RSKi. I had a nice conversation with him, and even told him I loved the Shiur he gave in Modiin a couple years ago though I didn’t remember what it was about (turns out it was acutally his brother..oops). I got to stay for Mincha, and even handed my siddur to Rabbi D for Kaddish. RSKi gave a nice shiur about taking the anger and desire for revenge, putting it into a black box, and taking it out when we need to overcome something scary in the army or whatnot. 

After Maariv, I went to my friend Matti’s home. Haven’t seen that dude in like 9 years, but love him like it was yesterday. He went viral this week posting about Rabbi D. Anyway, we covered the most ground anyon could cover in 15 minutes, and then I had to leave to get to to the Chizzuk Shiur. 

After I found parking and let my body run down the crazy hill to SD, I walked in to the room and REG was there waiting to go in. It was so nice to talk to him in person for the first time, and tell him I also listen to him every week. I actually was the one (maybe there were more) who texted him that Rabbi D mentioned him, and we have emailed in the past (he also quoted me in a Shabbat Hagadol Drasha, and said it is the first time he ever mentioned the word bikini in a drasha (TOI Shofar So Good). Then I went inside and sat next to my Fishy. 

What a beautiful evening with such amazing messages. Starting and finishing with music, with words of Emunah throughout. Things about how we can help the D’s, how we can relate to each other, and get along with people who disagree with us. 

• Avraham Avinu was able to smile and cry at the same time, so can we. 

• Viktor Frankl – he who has a why, can bear any how. Not Lama, but the lema – now what? What is the why? Asher Bachar – first Hashem chose us and turned us into a nation and family, then he bestowed the manual and Torah. Am – Im. When we are integrated, we are together as a nation. 

• They came to be together in this moment. Shir Hashirim – Pischi Li – Open your heart. Why dove? Fierce Loyalty.  Like a parent for a child. That’s how we need to be for one another, no matter diversity and disagreements. We have to learn to disagree agreeably, and focus on our common denominators, our history and future destiny. We come together during times of tragedy. If we want to change our condition, and Jews being attacked everywhere, we need to learn to become permanently fiercely loyal again. Means to love the people that we don’t like. No Mitzvah tells us to like everyone. But we do have to love. Love is a verb - Benefit of doubt, judge favorably, cut slack, make space for other opinions and approaches. 

Truly beautiful, and all over Spotify and YUTorah, which I am relistening to currently. 

On the way back, in Efrat I picked up a kid who was getting home to Bruchin. Turns out he is a counselor at One Family, and he went to introduce himself to his new Chanich. Fascinating conversation. 

What an evening.