You just never know who you’re going to bump into in Israel! Our community group bumped into the Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar (yes, he is also Chana’s cousin) who was accompanying President Vladimir Putin to the Western Wall. And boy, did he have a story to tell:
President Putin arrived at the Wall at 2am, after a long meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Upon his arrival, an elderly Jew called out to him in Russian: ‘President Putin, pray for the Temple to be rebuilt!’. Putin responded instantly: ‘that’s why I’m here!’.
After spending a few moments in silent devotion at the Western Wall, Putin turned to leave. He sought out the Russian Jew, Gavriel Mordechayev, who had called out to him a few minutes prior. As he approached, Mordechayev told him that when King Solomon had built the Temple here, he had asked G-d to accept the prayers of all the Nations at this site. Putin, moved, asked him how he was managing in Israel. Mordechayev replied that in Russia he was denied a Jewish education. Forced into a public school under Stalin, his only connection to his Jewish roots was the little matza they had on Passover. His mother always told him that she dreamed of him becoming a rabbi, but alas, he had no idea what a rabbi was or looked like! When he was able to leave Russia, he ultimately fulfilled his mothers dream and became a rabbi in Jerusalem.
Putin replied that he was raised by parents he worked until late each night and he would spend a lot of time with his Jewish friend and his family. There he learned about Shabbos and became their ‘Shabbos goy’ (a gentile who helps the Jews on Shabbat)!
With this, they parted ways amicably, wishing each other well.
Last week in Shul, a man walked in for the first time. No different to any other guest, we honored Yaakov with an Aliyah. As we called him to the Torah, the man had absolutely no idea what we wanted him to do! When I told him to place his tallis over the Torah, he looked at me puzzled, asking what a tallis was! Unmistakably Jewish, but amazingly ignorant of his faith, I asked the man where he was born. When he answered Kursk (near Siberia), I realized that miracle that was unfolding in our Shul.....
Yaakov, like Mordechaiyev, was denied his Jewish education when he too was forced into a public school under Stalin. The Bar Mitzvah that he was robbed of, in his youth, by Stalin and the communists, was now given to him, today, at Chabad of Palm Beach Gardens. As we proceeded to sing a lively 'Siman Tov U'mazal Tov', Yaakov, 76 years old, began to cry like a child as he came to realize that he was now celebrating his own Bar Mitzvah, through being called to the Torah for the first time in his life!
The egg on our Seder Plates represents the Jewish People’s resilience. The more you cook an egg, the better it gets; the more pressure the Jews are under, the better they turn out.
Not even Stalin and the USSR was able to deny Reb Yaakov a bar Mitzvah, even if it was 63 years later! What a privilage it was for our community to be able to give Reb Yaakov what Stalin stole from him.
Despite the intense animosity that savages bear against us, in Burgas, Bulgaria or the Munich Olympics 40 years ago exactly, we know that we will prevail, as long as we never ever forget who we are!
Wishing you a Shabbat brimming with Jewish pride and identity,
Rabbi Dovid and Chana Vigler
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What Putin had to say at the Western Wall..
Jerusalem- no Jews allowed?!
Last week in Israel, we took a walking tour through the Moslem quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. One of the interesting places we saw was the Dome of the Rock, the giant Golden Dome that lies on the Temple Mount, site our Holy Temples. We were denied access to the mosque, because Moslems don’t allow non-Muslims to violate their mosque with their presence. How can they tell if you’re Moslem? Easy. They ask you to recite the 'Shahada'- which you probably have never even heard of unless you’re indeed a Muslim.
Jews too, have a proclamation of faith- that only we are familiar with: 'Shma Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad'. Hear O Israel, the Lord is our G-d, the Lord is One. Its origin has an interesting story:
When our forefather Jacob lay on his death bed surrounded by his sons, the twelve tribes of Israel, he wished to reveal to them the time of the coming of the Messiah, through Divine prophecy. Suddenly, the Divine Spirit left him and he couldn't reveal to them the secret. Suspecting that the Spirit departed because of a lack of faith, he asked if any of his sons, had betrayed their belief in the One G-d. The sons reassured him in unison as they declared: Shma Yisrael (Don’t worry Dad- his name was Israel), Hashem Elokeinu (Your G-d is our G-d), Hashem Echad (We believe in one G-d).
Two weeks ago today, our mission to Israel visited the Holy City of Hebron, where are forefathers are buried: Adam and Eve; Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Leah. As we stood by the giant tomb of Jacob, we too said in unison the timeless words of Shma Yisrael: As if we too were answering the query of Jacob to his sons- we all declared together, that though we are 4000 years later and 6637 miles away, we too affirm the faith of our fathers: Shma Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad!!
May we merit to be shining examples of the sons of Jacob-- showing our forefathers, that even in Palm Beach, we continue their legacy as proud Jews!
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Dovid and Chana Vigler
Jerusalem- No Jews allowed!?
Last week in Israel, we took a walking tour through the Moslem quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. One of the interesting places we saw was the Dome of the Rock, the giant Golden Dome that lies on the Temple Mount, site our Holy Temples. We were denied access to the mosque, because Moslems don’t allow non-Muslims to violate their mosque with their presence. How can they tell if you’re Moslem? Easy. They ask you to recite the 'Shahada'- which you probably have never even heard of unless you’re indeed a Muslim.
Jews too, have a proclamation of faith- that only we are familiar with: 'Shma Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad'. Hear O Israel, the Lord is our G-d, the Lord is One. Its origin has an interesting story:
When our forefather Jacob lay on his death bed surrounded by his sons, the twelve tribes of Israel, he wished to reveal to them the time of the coming of the Messiah, through Divine prophecy. Suddenly, the Divine Spirit left him and he couldn't reveal to them the secret. Suspecting that the Spirit departed because of a lack of faith, he asked if any of his sons, had betrayed their belief in the One G-d. The sons reassured him in unison as they declared: Shma Yisrael (Don’t worry Dad- his name was Israel), Hashem Elokeinu (Your G-d is our G-d), Hashem Echad (We believe in one G-d).
Two weeks ago today, our mission to Israel visited the Holy City of Hebron, where are forefathers are buried: Adam and Eve; Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Leah. As we stood by the giant tomb of Jacob, we too said in unison the timeless words of Shma Yisrael: As if we too were answering the query of Jacob to his sons- we all declared together, that though we are 4000 years later and 6637 miles away, we too affirm the faith of our fathers: Shma Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad!!
May we merit to be shining examples of the sons of Jacob-- showing our forefathers, that even in Palm Beach, we continue their legacy as proud Jews!
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Dovid and Chana Vigler
Jerusalem- No Jews Allowed!
Last week in Israel, we took a walking tour through the Moslem quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. One of the interesting places we saw was the Dome of the Rock, the giant Golden Dome that lies on the Temple Mount, site our Holy Temples. We were denied access to the mosque, because Moslems don’t allow non-Muslims to violate their mosque with their presence. How can they tell if you’re Moslem? Easy. They ask you to recite the 'Shahada'- which you probably have never even heard of unless you’re indeed a Muslim.
Jews too, have a proclamation of faith- that only we are familiar with: 'Shma Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad'. Hear O Israel, the Lord is our G-d, the Lord is One. Its origin has an interesting story:
When our forefather Jacob lay on his death bed surrounded by his sons, the twelve tribes of Israel, he wished to reveal to them the time of the coming of the Messiah, through Divine prophecy. Suddenly, the Divine Spirit left him and he couldn't reveal to them the secret. Suspecting that the Spirit departed because of a lack of faith, he asked if any of his sons, had betrayed their belief in the One G-d. The sons reassured him in unison as they declared: Shma Yisrael (Don’t worry Dad- his name was Israel), Hashem Elokeinu (Your G-d is our G-d), Hashem Echad (We believe in one G-d).
Two weeks ago today, our mission to Israel visited the Holy City of Hebron, where are forefathers are buried: Adam and Eve; Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Leah. As we stood by the giant tomb of Jacob, we too said in unison the timeless words of Shma Yisrael: As if we too were answering the query of Jacob to his sons- we all declared together, that though we are 4000 years later and 6637 miles away, we too affirm the faith of our fathers: Shma Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad!!
May we merit to be shining examples of the sons of Jacob-- showing our forefathers, that even in Palm Beach, we continue their legacy as proud Jews!
The Shocking story of an Israeli spy in Syria
Do I have news for who ever said that there is no such thing as a time machine.
This week, I and almost thirty members from our community experienced the most remarkable trip through time.
We didn't get into a spaceship, a time capsule or even use a magic wand. We visited a land that showed us buildings built over two thousand years ago. We walked on streets built by the Romans. Traced the steps of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Kings David and Solomon and many of our peoples greatest scholars. We saw ruins of our proudest moments and those of incredible tragedy and tears. We stood in water cisterns, in tunnels and climbed many, many stairs. We visited the tombs of our patriarchs and even those of Adam and Eve. We gained a new understanding of the effort it took to build G-d's magnificent palace, the Holy Temple and of the difficulties the Jewish people faced fighting for the land they love
And we saw cities built and rebuilt and rebuilt again. Tens of times. Because the Jewish people are the quintessential perseverists. And there, I created a word! Because there is no better way to say it. We built, we created; they burned, smashed and killed. We came back and started over. They came for us again, tortured and destroyed. But the Jewish resolve was always stronger than their sticks and stones and we built again.
A highlight of the trip perhaps, was walking through the ruins of the Masada Fortress in the Judean desert. A sad and rather somber cluster of ruins under the beating hot sun. We turned the corner and entered room where the synagogue once stood. It was there that they found parts of the Holy Torahs used on Masada buried beneath the ground. We were all shocked to discover it still in use. Except this time they were writing a brand new Torah, they were young Chabad Rabbis and there was air conditioning! Once we recovered from our awe that there really is Chabad everywhere and that there really is air conditioning atop Masada, the Rabbi made a suggestion any good Chabad Rabbi would and asked Jeremy Paolercio lay teffilin, a first in his life! He did. And right there, Jeremy had his Bar Mitzvah! And that's when the Masada Rabbi did what any good Chabad Rabbi would do, he brought out the L'chaim! Tears streamed and the joy was palpable. As we all sang Sham Yisrael in unison, other men used this opportunity to lay Teffilin as well, hence turning a place of sorrow and despair into one of resilience and pride.
Another proud moment was jeeping in the Golan Heights Mountain range, near the Syrian border. While riding the windy dirt roads, we noticed a fascinating thing. There were underground bunkers extremely well camoflauged and very well hidden from the naked eye. These were Syrian bunkers used during the war in 1967. So how did the Jews win this uphill battle, hidden even from the sky, in a mere two day battle?
Israel had planted a very talented and top secret spy in the lions den. Eli Cohen, was so talented that he rose to the highest echelons of the Syrian government, even being offered a cabinet position! He was privy to the most closely guarded secrets which he conveyed to the Israeli Secret Service.
Eli Cohen became a close friend of the Syrian General in charge of the Golan Heights who invited him to come see what a fortress they built there. While there he overheard the soldiers complaining that they were too hot as they were stationed on the barren volcano. The ingenious spy, immediately suggested to the Syrian General that they plant Eucalyptus trees over ALL the top secret bunkers. These trees grow quickly and will provide the much needed shade the soldiers are desperate for. The General immediately agreed.
Now, the Israelis knew just where each bunker was. Unfortunately Eli Cohen's life came to a terrible and tragic end once he was discovered to be an Israeli spy and although he was killed two years before the war, Eli Cohen had succeeded and will be forever remembered as one of our greatest heroes of all time. Jeeping through the Golan we saw for ourselves how every single area covered in trees was indeed riddled with secret bunkers.
To me, the story of how EliCohen won the Six Day War against Syria is absolute proof, that miracles happen all around us today as well. We just need to open our eyes and realize!
There is so much to speak about this incredible country but all I can say is Am Yisroel Chai! The G-d of the Jewish people is alive and well!
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Dovid and Chana Vigler
Miracles in our Time!
Do I have news for who ever said that there is no such thing as a time machine.
This week, I and almost thirty members from our community experienced the most remarkable trip through time.
We didn't get into a spaceship, a time capsule or even use a magic wand. We visited a land that showed us buildings built over two thousand years ago. We walked on streets built by the Romans. Traced the steps of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Kings David and Solomon and many of our peoples greatest scholars. We saw ruins of our proudest moments and those of incredible tragedy and tears. We stood in water cisterns, in tunnels and climbed many, many stairs. We visited the tombs of our patriarchs and even those of Adam and Eve. We gained a new understanding of the effort it took to build G-d's magnificent palace, the Holy Temple and of the difficulties the Jewish people faced fighting for the land they love
And we saw cities built and rebuilt and rebuilt again. Tens of times. Because the Jewish people are the quintessential perseverists. And there, I created a word! Because there is no better way to say it. We built, we created; they burned, smashed and killed. We came back and started over. They came for us again, tortured and destroyed. But the Jewish resolve was always stronger than their sticks and stones and we built again.
A highlight of the trip perhaps, was walking through the ruins of the Masada Fortress in the Judean desert. A sad and rather somber cluster of ruins under the beating hot sun. We turned the corner and entered room where the synagogue once stood. It was there that they found parts of the Holy Torahs used on Masada buried beneath the ground. We were all shocked to discover it still in use. Except this time they were writing a brand new Torah, they were young Chabad Rabbis and there was air conditioning! Once we recovered from our awe that there really is Chabad everywhere and that there really is air conditioning atop Masada, the Rabbi made a suggestion any good Chabad Rabbi would and asked Jeremy Paolercio lay teffilin, a first in his life! He did. And right there, Jeremy had his Bar Mitzvah! And that's when the Masada Rabbi did what any good Chabad Rabbi would do, he brought out the L'chaim! Tears streamed and the joy was palpable. As we all sang Sham Yisrael in unison, other men used this opportunity to lay Teffilin as well, hence turning a place of sorrow and despair into one of resilience and pride.
Another proud moment was jeeping in the Golan Heights Mountain range, near the Syrian border. While riding the windy dirt roads, we noticed a fascinating thing. There were underground bunkers extremely well camoflauged and very well hidden from the naked eye. These were Syrian bunkers used during the war in 1967. So how did the Jews win this uphill battle, hidden even from the sky, in a mere two day battle?
Israel had planted a very talented and top secret spy in the lions den. Eli Cohen, was so talented that he rose to the highest echelons of the Syrian government, even being offered a cabinet position! He was privy to the most closely guarded secrets which he conveyed to the Israeli Secret Service.
Eli Cohen became a close friend of the Syrian General in charge of the Golan Heights who invited him to come see what a fortress they built there. While there he overheard the soldiers complaining that they were too hot as they were stationed on the barren volcano. The ingenious spy, immediately suggested to the Syrian General that they plant Eucalyptus trees over ALL the top secret bunkers. These trees grow quickly and will provide the much needed shade the soldiers are desperate for. The General immediately agreed.
Now, the Israelis knew just where each bunker was. Unfortunately Eli Cohen's life came to a terrible and tragic end once he was discovered to be an Israeli spy and although he was killed two years before the war, Eli Cohen had succeeded and will be forever remembered as one of our greatest heroes of all time. Jeeping through the Golan we saw for ourselves how every single area covered in trees was indeed riddled with secret bunkers.
To me, the story of how Eli Cohen won the Six Day War against Syria is absolute proof, that miracles happen all around us today as well. We just need to open our eyes and realize!
There is so much to speak about this incredible country but all I can say is Am Yisroel Chai! The G-d of the Jewish people is alive and well!