A huuuuge mazel tov to my Uncle Fred and Aunt Susan on their 50th wedding anniversary!! May they be zoche to many more in good health and prosperity!!!
A huuuuuuuge mazel tov to Rav and Mrs. Zave Rudman on the engagement of their daughter Ilana to Yehuda Schoen!! May they be zocheh to build a beautiful bayis bi-yisrael! Rav Rudman, among other more distinguished accomplishments, was my first gemara Rebbi when I came to Israel to learn. Among other things he taught me which way to hold the gemara - and after that many other things too. He and his Rebbetzin should enjoy limitless nachas in good health from all of their children and grandchildren!
A huuuuuuuge mazel tooov to Naftaly Hershkovic and Tova Mendelson on their engagement!!! Wow!! An UNBELIEVABLE simcha for all involved. May they go from simcha to simcha!!
A short vort li-ilui nishmas Aliza Rochel bas R' Chaim Tzvi who tragically passed away at a young age leaving a husband and baby:
In Parshas Acharei Mos we read of the passing of Nadav and Avihu who brought a "foreign fire" to Hashem for which they weren't commanded. The commentaries work hard to understand the sin and why the punishment was so immediate and harsh.
They say [see for example the powerful language of the Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh] that they got TOO CLOSE to Hashem. It was dveykus, but beyond what was permitted. That is why the pasuk says "בקרובי אקדש" - I will be sanctified with those close to me. Close is good - but not too close.
There is a LOT to be learned from this story.
On a simple level: Close relationships are GREAT but it is CRUCIAL to give each other space. Excessive closeness can be deadly. Husband and wife should be like one but at the end of the day they use separate restrooms and are different people with differing needs. Giving space is of the essence.
"We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity. We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing, and inclusion."
Also - not to make up our own religious practices. Just because something feels "good" and "spiritual" does mean that Hashem wants it. I can imagine that the people at Woodstock felt VERY GOOD and very SPIRITUALLY HIGH but that was not what Hashem wanted. He wants what he spelled out for us in the Torah. Going beyond the letter of the law is sometimes called for - and sometimes not....
A lot more to say but the sun is slowly making her way beneath the beautiful mountains in His holy country so I must be brief...
A sweet Shabbos beloved friends!!!
