Last Shabbos we had the unique honor of welcoming my uncle Rabbi Yossy Goldman of Johannesburg, South Africa to our beloved Bozeman community. His lectures were full of wit and wisdom, personal and moving, fused with decades of fascinating experiences and thousands of hours of pastoral care. Having grown up in Crown Heights enveloped in the love and guidance of my maternal grandparents, Yossy’s parents, I saw so much of their mannerisms and style in every interaction with him. It wasn’t just the physical traits, it was the heartwarming traits of kindness, sensitivity, thoughtfulness and grace.

In this week’s Torah portion, Vayeishev, we read about Joseph being abused by his brothers, dropped into a pit and later sold into Egyptian servitude. There is a moment when Joseph is seduced by his master’s wife and he’s about to submit. He’s alone in a foreign country, abandoned by his family, and doesn’t have much to lose. Yet, in a moment of clarity, his mind travels to Israel and he sees the holy, loving, visage of his father Jacob and he withstands the temptation and tells her to back off. She’s upset, accuses him of rape, he’s sentenced to Egyptian confinement, and the rest is history. Genetics, and loving parents, can do wonders.

I mentioned at Wednesday night’s class that Judah the Maccabee, his five brothers Yochanan, Yehuda, Shimon, Elazar, and Yonatan and his sister Chana were raised in the home of Matisyahu, a home filled with a love for Judaism, a willingness to defend their faith and a family bond that was unshakable. In the V’Al Hannisim prayer we make sure to mention who Matisyahu was and who his father was so that we have a better understanding of how his kids turned out to be Maccabees. As I light my Menorah, I will give thanks to Hashem for all His miracles, including gifting me with incredible parents and grandparents, who lit the light for me and handed me the candle to carry on to the next generation.

Happy Chanukah!

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Mashiach speedily. May G-d protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be!

Today, the 15th of Kislev, is my 44th birthday.

It was on this day, on a snowy Friday in 1981, that G-d decided that He has a mission for my soul, and blessed my parents with their second child, four years after the birth of my older brother Yochanan. At my Bris I was named for my paternal great-grandfather, Reb Shaul Bruk, a Ukrainian Chossid that emigrated to Israel in the 30’s after spending time in soviet prisons. He was a brilliant Talmudic scholar, spiritual mentor to hundreds and a man who lived for his students both in Tel Aviv and Rishon LeTsion. Birthdays stir up for me an array of emotions, more recently infusing me with a feeling of vigor, pondering my mission, thinking about those who came before and whose legacy I carry forward, and pushing me to look inward and find the inner me.

In this week’s Torah portion, Vayishlach, we read about Jacob wrestling with the angel near the Jabbok River. While Jacob defeats the angel, he is injured in the process, and it’s only then that G-d has his name changed to Israel. Jacob had many challenges before this moment; he escaped from Esau, lived with Laban, had four wives who didn’t always see eye-to-eye, and just encountered his wicked brother Esau who was unpredictable. Yet, it was only now when Jacob stood alone wrestling with his nemesis through the night, did his name change to the superior representation of Israel. Jacob is the Jew who is holding on to the heel of the enemy, hoping to be seen, Israel is the Jew who stands tall with a win under his belt.

On my birthday I celebrate the “Israel” Jew, the “Israel” in me. There’s a sense of peace and serenity that comes with age, infused with gratitude for all that I have and what I’ve overcome to get here. My heart is full of appreciation for my parents, grandparents, my dear Chavie, my kids, my friends and my community, both local and virtual. I will always strive to grow more, I will always seek to find a stronger inner self, but I will also celebrate the wins, the antagonizing angels who have been beaten, the peaks that have been climbed and the tumultuous waters that have been waded. I look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with all of you in good health.

Happy Birthday to Me!

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Mashiach speedily. May G-d protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be!