The verse that started it all
This weekend my family marked our “Aliyah anniversary.” We have now been living a 2,000 year old dream for the past three years. And we couldn’t be more proud of the decision we made to move our family, 6,000 miles across the ocean to Israel. The dream to live in Israel wasn’t just out of love for our modern-day Country. I wanted my children to grow up in a place where they could and would be constantly in touch with their Biblical roots as well. Of course, life in Israel is also easier, especially for a modern-day religious Jew. For example, I never wonder if I’ll have access to Kosher Food (the dietary laws that religious Jews keep, including the prohibition of eating milk and meat together). And I’ll never have to work in an environment where I must defend my Sabbath observance to my boss. But on top of that, I have the immense privilege of raising my children alongside the Bible. And the Bible is what our lives center around. from our parenting values to our life cycle events. I want to share three ways we have been living the Bible since we made Aliyah.
When you live in Israel, your children will go on field trips to Biblical landmarks: “Last month, my son’s class visited Ir David, the City of David, where Jerusalem’s history began. And it wasn’t just a “field trip” because the ancient stones are “cool.” My son’s class went to explore this ancient city as part of a special ceremony where they would receive their first personal Bible. Can you imagine? Receiving your own Bible in one of the places where the stories of the Bible were carried out? And yet, for my son and his class – it was just another Tuesday. But as I helped him prepare for the trip, I realized how surreal it was that these biblical locations were just a short bus ride away. Our children aren’t just reading about history; they’re walking through it, touching it, and making personal connections to the stories that have shaped our faith for millennia.
When you live in Israel, you will have to observe the Sabbatical Laws: The first year that we lived in Israel was considered a Shmitah year, the biblically mandated agricultural sabbath that occurs every seven years. Not only did we need to adjust to buying groceries in a different country, but we needed to adjust our shopping habits in accordance with Biblical farming practices. We needed to make sure that every store we shopped in purchased their produce from farms that observed the laws of Shmitah. This also meant that we needed to follow special rules when it came to picking fruit and even flowers – a fun activity that many Israeli children enjoy. Within a month of landing in the land of Israel, our connection to the land was tangible in more than one way. It was a reminder of our stewardship of the earth and our commitment to Biblical values. I thought back to what observing the Sabbatical year must have been like for the Israelites who entered the land with Joshua after wandering in the desert for 40 years. They too “made Aliyah.” And in this, I was also connected to the people of the Bible.
When you live in Israel, you will have a doctor’s appointment in the same city where Abraham and Isaac dug wells. Recently, I found myself in Be’er Sheva for a routine check-up. As I sat in the waiting room of a modern medical facility, I was struck by the fact that I was in the very city where our patriarchs Abraham and Isaac dug wells, forging alliances and laying the foundation for our people. Would it be too much of a stretch to juxtapose this to my root canal? After all, those are equally important and grounding fixtures, just in the mouth! When you live in Israel you are surrounded by cutting-edge medicine, and the Bible, which is an incredible testament to Israel’s unique blend of tradition and innovation.
Living in Israel is more than just residing in a geographical location; it’s an immersive experience in our heritage and faith. Every day presents opportunities to connect with the Bible and to live out the values and traditions that have sustained our people for over 2,000 years. While the decision to make Aliyah is deeply personal and not feasible for everyone, for those of us who have taken this leap, it’s a profound journey of rediscovery and spiritual growth (with expected ups and downs along the way). As we navigate the challenges and joys of modern life in this ancient land, we’re not just reading our history but actively participating in its continuation. In Israel, the past, present, and future converge, creating a rich tapestry of Jewish life that honors our traditions while embracing the promise of tomorrow.
Allowing a Palestinian terror state in the heart of Israel would destroy the Jewish State.
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