eman Torah Portion Israel Beckons Jews Home, Like A Mother Does Her Children that kept us away and finally arrive in Israel, we feel vibrant, fulfilled, and at home. The land of Israel has a unique spiritual power. The great commen- tator Nachmanides explains (Genesis 26:5) that even before the Torah am posting this article from was given on Mt. Sinai, the patri- Jerusalem, where I've arrived archs observed its laws while they for a week of visiting Israelis. were in the land. After all of the planning that Why only in the land? Because goes into such a mission, it is a the mitzvot are channeled through relief finally to arrive and to experi- the land of Israel, where God's pres- ence once again the powerful pull ence is uniquely felt. Within the of Israel welcoming us home. land, Abraham and his The land of Israel is like progeny could intuit the a mighty magnet — some- commandments, even times it draws us in, and though they would not be sometimes it pushes us revealed to humanity on away. For three millennia, Mt. Sinai for several cen- the land has pulled in the turies more. dispersed people of Israel I can verify that each from distant countries, like mitzvah done while in a mother gathering in her Israel feels a bit more children. energetic and meaningful At other times, however, RABBI DANIEL than those performed the land has pushed our abroad. In the diaspora, NEVINS people away, through the mitzvot remind us of Special to the famine or war, which the our uniqueness, our differ- Jewish News Torah describes as punish- ence from others. But in ment for our sins (Leviticus Israel, the mitzvot tap us 18:25). into the very essence of the land. Why does our homeland exhibit In Israel, the holidays are com- this binary nature? munal, our prayers feel electric, and In this week's portion, Ch. 26 our acts of kindness have the power opens with a description of severe to redeem the entire nation.. We famine. Isaac responds to the crisis feel motivated to do our best, for by preparing to leave for Egypt, "God's eyes are always on the land" just like his father, Abraham,.had (Deuteronomy 11:12). done. But this time, God inter- Before we can experience the cedes, commanding Isaac to remain power of being in Israel, we must in the land — never to leave — open our hearts to its attraction. and, thereby, to become a source of When we overcome our anxieties blessing. The repulsion changes to and get ourselves to Israel, then the attraction; and Isaac stays put, magnetism of this wonderful and bringing new blessings forth from holy place takes hold of us. the heart of the land. By the time you read this, I In our day, we also feel the ten- expect to be back in Michigan, sion experienced by Isaac. For those planning my next trip home. I of us in the diaspora, Israel feels invite you also to open your heart distant and dangerous. For Israelis, to the pull of our homeland. May the diaspora beckons with the we someday stand together with prospect of comfort and escape Jews from across the world, at from anxiety. This is the negative home and at peace in the land of. side of the magnet at work. Israel. 1-1 But within every Jewish soul is a switch that can reverse the push into 'a pull — when we open our hearts to God's voice, just as Isaac does in the portion. Then we sud- denly feel a mighty attraction to When you think about the mes- visit the land, to walk its streets sianic era, what role does the and talk with its people. When we land of Israel play? What ele- • overcome all of the inertia and fear ments of such a time can we cre- ate through our actions here and now? Daniel Nevins is a spiritual leader at Adat Shalom Synagogue. I A /hen Mark and Patty Werner V V contracted with Gittleman Construction to renovate roughly 3,000 square feet of their Upper Straits Lake home in West Bloomfield, they didn't expect company president Scott Gittleman to be included in the deal. 11111111111111111D But his involvement, and genuine interest throughout the extensive job is one of the things that impressed the Werners most. Shabbat Toledot: Genesis 25:19-28:9; Malachi 1:1-2:7. Conversations "It was a pleasant surprise to see Scott so much," said Patty. "He was genuinely concerned and as interested in a successful project as we were. We are extremely impressed with the work Gittleman did for us." So, if you're looking to add-on or remodel, why not put one of Southeast Michigan's most trusted names in residential construction to work for you? From our president to all our valued skilled trades people, we will exceed your highest expectations with our emphasis on function, aesthetics and budget. Just ask the Werners. Call today, and discover how easily Gittleman can convert your home dreams into reality. GITTLEMAN Nkmo CONSTRUCTION inc 2085 E. WEST MAPLE RD., SUITE A101 WALLED LAKE, MI 48390 248.624.5400 www.gittleman_net CUSTOM 667760 RENOVATIONS CONGREGATION B'NAI DAVID WE'VE MOVED!! Shabbat services are being conducted at: 6346 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 100 West Bloomfield, Michigan 48322 (We're on the west side of Orchard Lake Road, north of Maple Road, just north of English Gardens.) Please join us in our new home. Our offices are also at this location. 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