We Are All Lighthouse Keepers

A few weeks ago, after dropping off our oldest daughter at JFK for her flight to Israel, we went down to the Jersey Shore for a couple of days of Beach Therapy. It was great to sit at the ocean, feeling the breeze and the waves, and ponder life. How does it happen that one day you become new parents, and what seems like a few days later (but is really 22 years later!) your child is making Aliyah and moving halfway around the world?

The truth is that a lot of life is like that. You put one foot in front of the other, without even looking up to see where you are or how far you have come, only to realize eventually that you have travelled a great distance.

I was reminded of this on the 2nd day of our trip when we explored Cape May, NJ and visited the Cape May Lighthouse. Climbing the 199 steps to the top was harder than it sounded, especially with people going in both directions up and down the narrow winding stairs. Every 30 or so steps there was a landing with a window, and we took advantage of several of them to catch our breath and see how far we had progressed. When we finally reached the top the 360 degree view was amazing. I tried to imagine what it would be like to be the lighthouse keeper, climbing those steps several times a day, with supplies and food, to keep the light shining.

Reflecting on this, I am reminded that in a certain sense we are all lighthouse keepers. We dedicate our lives to living a certain set of core values and beliefs and do everything we can to keep those values burning brightly to help others navigate their journeys as well.

For the last 5 years or so I have been learning Mishna, almost every day, with my twins. For Rina's Bat Mitzvah we completed Seder Moed. For Simcha's Bar Mitzvah we completed Seder Nezikin. And now we have completed Seder Nashim. Each day we learn one or two Mishnayot, for 5-10 minutes, and little by little we are making our way through Shas. We have now completed 1944 Mishnayot (out of 4192 total) and have completed 3 of the 6 Sidrei Mishna. Our goal is to learn the next 3 Sedarim (Zeraim, Kodshim, and Taharot) over the next 4 years (we have 2248 Mishnayot to go). It is not always convenient or fun to learn the daily Mishna. Sometimes one of us doesn't feel well, is overwhelmed with work, or just isn't in the mood. But we keep at it, rarely missing a day. Each time we complete another Masechet we pause, like we did on those lighthouse landings, to catch our breath and see how far we have come. But then we keep going. I would like to think that the more we learn the higher we are climbing, and that the view from the top will make it all worthwhile.

So what's the message? Set goals and start climbing. It doesn't matter what the goals are. That is up to you. Just choose something that matters to you so that you will keep at it even when things get tough. And then don't worry about where you are on the journey or how far you have left to go. Just set a goal and a pace, and keep at it, one foot in front of the other. Along the way find space and time to pause and reflect on how far you have come (rather than how far you have left to go). And when you get to the top take a few moments to reflect on the incredible journey.

Aliyah!!!

A Letter To My Daughter On The Day Of Her Aliyah - August 3rd, 2021

 

Shira, 

How do I begin to tell you how proud I am of you? You are sitting on an El AL, Nefesh B'Nefesh flight, on your way to Eretz Yisrael to make Aliyah!  You have dreamed of this day for many years, inspired by your Religious Zionist education and your love of Israel. And now the day is finally here! You are actually moving to the Holy Land! Can you believe it? I can't get the song We Are Home by Kippalive out of my head!

When I was 3 years old my parents moved to Israel. I lived there until age 6 and have never stopped dreaming of one day returning home. My parents, your Grandy and Papa, told me that as the plane was about to land in Israel I turned to them and said "are we going to see Hashem now?" Of the many reasons Ima and I are so excited for you, one of them is that you will be starting a life in the holiest place on earth. You are literally making Aliyah, going up in holiness. Yes, you will still need to deal with the day to day things, like laundry, and shopping, and the Misrad HaPnim. But never forget that every step you take is a mitzvah! You are fulfilling Mitzvat Yishuv Eretz Yisrael and living a life that so many of your ancestors have only dreamed of!

We are proud of you for following your dreams. It shows character and courage. And it gives us great nachat to see you go for the things that matter to you. You are talented, creative, and smart, and that will help you a lot. But your character and courage will help you the most.

Do you remember when you were a little girl and I convinced you to go on the Aerosmith Rock n' Roller Coaster in Disney? You were so scared and at the last minute, as we were about to enter the ride (after waiting in line for a long time), you begged me to let you leave. Somehow I convinced you to hold my hand and enjoy the ride. About a minute later, after several upside down loops and twists, I stumbled off the ride breathless thinking, "what have I done? I have scarred my child for life!" And you turned to me with a huge smile and said "that was awesome! Can we go again?!!"

I know that this journey is also a little scary. You can't predict every twist and turn, and there will be ups and downs. But when you feel scared just remember that you have signed up for the most amazing ride in the world! And that throughout your life, whenever you have gone for something that made you feel a little scared, you have always been glad you did so. Remember also that although we will not always be right next to you holding your hand physically, we will always be holding you from a distance and will be there for you to support you in any way you need. We will always be your Abba and Ima and will always love you.

I am proud that you will be serving as a madricha in a seminary this year, helping others find their connection to Hashem and to Israel. And I am excited to see how your career in graphic design (or whatever path you follow) develops. On days that you doubt yourself remember that you are awesome and that a million people believe in you and will do anything to help you on your path. And also remember that you will find the most satisfaction and joy in life from showing others that you believe in them and helping them on their path.

So enjoy this flight! Feel the pride of sitting with hundreds of other Olim Chadashim! Get excited for Aroma Cafe, Marzipan Rugelach, real Falafel/Shawarma, walking the streets of Yerushalayim, davening at the Kotel, learning in the Beit Midrash, shopping at Machane Yehuda, and so much more...

We will Zoom and What's App with you as often as we can (that was a hint). And we will always be checking our watches, thinking of what time it is in Israel, and thinking of you. I will hope to connect with you each Erev Shabbat to give you a bracha, but I think you know that I have been sending you brachot your entire life and will never stop doing so. So for now, I wish you Health, Safety, Strength, Happiness, Love, Laughter, Friendship, Creativity, Growth, Inspiration, Appreciation, and so much more… May Hashem watch over you, protect you, and guide you always:

יברכך ה’ וישמרך

יאר ה’ פניו אליך ויחנך

ישא ה’ פניו אליך וישם לך שלום

Kol HaKavod Shira! We love you a million and grow prouder of you every day! May this be the beginning of an amazing next chapter in your journey!

Love,

Abba