Sometimes, the gains extend far beyond the noble objective itself

Living Higher

I

sraeli government agencies all know what Chaim V’Chessed is. The organization dedicated to helping Americans navigate bureaucratic and cultural hurdles of life in Israel has made significant inroads into the highest levels of government, leveraging these relationships to further their goal. But sometimes, the gains extend far beyond the noble objective itself.

Hadas, a Chaim V’Chessed representative, had formed a friendly relationship with a certain female government official. During her most recent visit, Hadas inquired after the woman’s children.

“They’re doing wonderfully,” she said proudly. “In fact, they’re religious now.”

Seeing Hadas’s obvious surprise, she explained: “After October 7, there was an overwhelming demand by the soldiers for tzitzit. All over, in batei medrash and community centers, there were people hurriedly fashioning new pairs of tzitzit. My two little boys — ages nine and eleven — saw the fervor and wanted to participate. I allowed them to — and now they wear tzitzit as well, along with kippot.”

And this led to the next step — Shabbos.

“I bought them a hotplate to heat up their Shabbat meals — I’m so proud of them.”

She described how her boys walk with their one religious neighbor to shul on Shabbos, 40 minutes each way.

Hadas departed having learned that, in Eretz Yisrael, even the humdrum of bureaucratic offices can flicker with flashes of spiritual inspiration.

Overheard

WE refer to a volume of Gemara as a masechta. What does this word mean? Noda B’Yehuda says it comes from the word sechach, which means “protection.” The Gemara preserves — and protects — the Torah shebe’al peh from being forgotten.

But perhaps we can explain the “protective” element of Gemara in a deeper way as well. Sefer Hachaim reveals that the word “Gemara” is the roshei teivos of Gavriel, Michael, Refael, and Uriel. When we learn Gemara, we are surrounded by angels, protected by angels! I see here in Johannesburg, homes are protected with fences and barbed wire. The greatest shemirah is the Gemara.

—Rabbi Daniel Glatstein, speaking at a siyum on Maseches Kesubos learned through the Daf Hashavua program, held this past week in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In Gratitude

A stunning piece of artwork, created by the very talented Ilan Block, was presented to Senator John Fetterman by the Philadelphia Jewish community. It is yet another testament to the ideal of hakaras hatov held by a people who have overcome so much evil.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 1038)