Rosh Hoshana Inspiration

Here is a gift of inspiration form my friend and teacher Rabbi Yitzchak Schwartz of Jerusalem. Enjoy!

3 summers ago

I wasn't blogging yet in the summer of 2005. But I'm still mad and very sad about the Disengagement.

Let's not forget.

10 lost tribes

Is it possible that Brazil was named after the Hebrew word for iron -- 'barzel'? Is Mexico the derivative of the original name 'Meshicho' meaning moshiach? Did Britain get its name from the words 'Brit Am,' hebrew for 'covenant of nations?' I know it sounds like a conspiracy theory, but the research of Historian Steve Collins is very intriguing. He also claims that at least 5 Native American tribes, including Cheeroke and Seminole, were of Jewish descent. That explains the casinos (that's my revelation, not his). Also interesting is the fact that an Israeli historian, Yair Davidiy, has independently come to many of the same conclusions as Collins regarding who the lost tribes are and where they went. One of the goals of my blog is to pass on inspiring and interesting information. So here is my first tip. Check out http://www.israelnationalradio.com/ and scroll down to the Tamar Yona Show on the 10 lost tribes. You can hear her 2 hour broadcast with Steven Collins. Maybe its all bogus -- but it sure is entertaining! You can also look at http://www.stevenmcollins.com/ and http://www.britam.org/

May as well blog

So I guess I should blog.

I've been intending to do this ever since I first discovered the Renegade Rebbetzin a few years ago. I could have been her. In fact there were even rumors that I was her. But alas, I am not. I am however a Rebbetzin, and a bit renegade. I also have a lot to say. The two things holding me back have been time and a name for my blog. I couldn't, for the life of me, come up with a title that was either not taken by a blog that I already follow, or that sounded like the title of a blog that I would follow. Here are a few of the (pathetic and more pathetic) names that I was considering:

1. La Rabbina -- Because I live in Miami which is really in South America (before this we lived in Perth, Australia which is really in South Africa.) But then I started to think -- have I no identity beyond Rebbetzinhood? And anyway, I really can't salsa dance.

2. Mammatzen -- it has the whole mom and Rebbetzin thing going on, but still says nothing about who I am. It also sounds too much like macho man and that's not exactly my theme song either. "Ma ma mama tzen -- I want to be a mamatzen..." Uhh.... that would be a no.

3. Rebbetzin Joe -- Allow me to explain. I thought this would work (for about 2 seconds - before I realized that gender confusion is not the way to go) because I really am an average joe. And that's my strength.

Here is how this played out last night after I got back form our monthly Rosh Chodesh meeting for women. Every month I arrange something creative and inspiring for our community and last night it was a presentation of Yoga and Judaism. The Rebbetzin who I arranged to give the class (whose name I have no permission to publish, so I won't) gave an amazing talk about her personal journey and her creation of Jewgal -- Jewgal.com (that, I think she would want me to publish). This was followed by a practical class where among other things we formed letters of the aleph bet with our bodies and connected to Gd and each other in a very profound way. So I came home so inspired and in awe of this woman and her creation.

Me: What's my thing?
Husband: What do you mean?
Me: Whats my thing. She does this Yoga and Judaism thing. What do I do?
Hus: Do you really want to know?
Me: Yes.
Hus: You write. I don't know why you don't write more.
Me: Probably because we have three kids under the age of 5.
Hus: Ok, but that's what you do. You can write.
Me: Yes, but so many people can write. What do I write about? That's the important part.
Hus: But that's just it, you can write about anything. You always have something to say.
Me: So I'm opinionated?
Hus: No, I'm just saying that you always have a comment. On everything.
Me: Hmm..... (thinking -- that's the same as opinionated in my humble opinion)

But then I got it. The fact that I'm not really good at one particular thing is what makes me able to be into everything. Mediocrity can be a good thing. I may not do anything amazingly well, but I pretty much do everything. I love life. I love trying new things. I love ideas and music and art and roller coasters and meeting new people.

And what I do more then anything is reflect. I see, I think, and I share.

You'll see. You'll get to know me. And once you do, you will probably see a bit of yourself.

4. Aspaklaria -- prism, looking glass, lens, a kind of mirror.
I was minding my own business tonight when the word Aspaklaria popped into my head. I thought -- hey, that's me.

Now all I need is a live-in nanny.