20th Anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope

I opened up Google tonight, and the main page was space-themed. I clicked on the link provided, and it re-directed me to this page. (I strongly suggest clicking on the link.)

The images are from the Hubble Telescope, which has been orbiting around the galaxy for 20 years, snapping photos of far-flung worlds and phenomena. I flipped through the photos and thought two things:

1) "Niflaos Haboreh!"

and

2) "This looks straight out of Star Wars... Is it even possible?"

Thought #1, I believe, cannot be contested. (If real,) these images are incredible examples of the wonders that Hashem has created, many of which we are completely ignorant of. Plus, it demonstrates what the Rav (ZT"L) identifies as the "majesty" and "dignity" of modern man, who embodies "dignity" based on the technological advances of which he is capable.

Which leads me to Thought #2 - seriously, I feel like I'm looking out at the world from the Starship Enterprise. How do we know this isn't all a hoax? It could be pulled off - just make a really cool computer graphic, give it a funky name, make it a few billion years old, and who will know the difference? I guess it's just the pessimist in me coming out, but do such places really exist? Is there any source for them in Torah? I'm so incredibly curious...

Either way, the pictures are cool to look at. Happy Anniversary, Hubble Telescope!

Yom Ha'atzmaut Reflections

I was debating whether or not to write this, and was inspired by Shades of Grey's Yom Ha'atzmaut post (thanks!).

I went to a fairly modern elementary Yeshiva day school, which was very Tzioni. We went all out with the blue-and-white shtick (clothing, cupcakes, decorations), dancing, Hallel as a whole school using Naomi Shemer tunes, etc. on Yom Ha'atzmaut. And me, being slightly nuts and more than happy to take every opportunity to dance and sing and demonstrate my (naive) love for the State of Israel, was typically one of the girls in the middle of the circle, steadily going hoarse, my bright red face clashing with the blue and white garb.

This mentality carried over to an all-girls' Yeshiva high school, which was also Tzioni, but in a more toned-down fashion, and definitely more in line with Religious Zionism (or as I like to say, "Tzioyni") than just stam Zionism. Yom Ha'atzmaut celebrations were mostly fueled by the students (rather than the administration), and Hallel (with or without a bracha) was optional, and said privately.

Then, during my year in seminary, things started to change. It was the first time I was in Eretz Yisrael for an extended period of time, and really learning to love the land for its kedusha. As I'm sure many of you can attest to, there is no clear, logical explanation for the love a Jew feels for the physical land of Eretz Yisrael, the landscapes, or the nature. I've seen some beautiful natural parks in America, and there I always thought "Mah rabu ma'asecha Hashem!" But nothing more. Only with Israel did I feel the same connection, comfort, and longing during this extended absence. For me, the only explanation is that due to its inherent kedusha, the "afra d'Eretz Yisrael" is so much more significant than that of any other country.

I was privileged to have some incredible teachers and rabbanim in my seminary who, although (most) were Charedim, did not ignore or mock Yom Ha'atzmaut. They emphasized and embodied the religious perspective towards the hoda'ah and celebration of the day. For them, it wasn't about "Hallel with a bracha/without a bracha" - it was about giving shevach (through Tehillim, or maybe Hallel) to Hakadosh Baruch Hu for the incredible nissim and gifts He gave us on the date we are commemorating. There was no much-debated question of "blue and white" clothing, because that wasn't related to the ikkar simchas hayom.

In a sense, I've shifted from my childish, Zionistic love of Medinat Yisrael to a place of deep-seated, Torah-driven longing for Eretz Hakadosh. Personally, I no longer need to wave a degel Yisrael or proudly wear blue and white to proclaim my love for Israel. It is a private, budding relationship that doesn't require any flashy, external indications.

So I went to (and very much enjoyed!) the shiurim for Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut, but I didn't go to the chagiga afterwards. (Granted, one of the main reasons was because I wasn't in the mood for a 'social scene'.) Which made me feel weird when I was sitting back in my dorm, because just 2 or 3 years ago, I would have without doubt been at the chagiga, wearing my flag as a cape and dancing up a storm with the rest of my friends. Yet, I no longer felt the need to do so. I'm not critical of that "shtick," honestly. It just doesn't do anything for me. But still, something felt off.

Then I wondered; am I being a frum snob? Do I look down on people who choose to celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut like that? I certainly hope not, considering the nauseating hypocrite I would be if I did. It's not like I went around making snide remarks about those who do celebrate in such a fashion; I just didn't join in, because it's not how I felt I needed to express my feelings related to the chag. If that is how they celebrate, kol hakavod! I believe everyone should act as they deem fitting.

And yet, I got the impression from a close friend that I was being a bit "self-righteous." Which really bothered me, because what if it was true? Then, all the growth I thought I had in regards to ahavat ha'aretz was a farce. Which is a really scary thought... And if I am being a religious snob, how do I change that? Such a characteristic is fake frumkeit, and in my opinion, not worth anything.

I said Hallel this morning (without the bracha), took a break from homework to listen to C. Lanzbom a little (yes, I do hold that it's not assur to listen to music on Yom Ha'atzmaut), and ate schwarma for dinner (OK, I know, it was after shki'a...). And as I'm writing this, I feel like I'm justifying my extremely confused position. Do I really need to do that?

Is it being self-righteously "frum" to hold back from the typical celebrations, choosing only to participate in the ones that are more "Torah-centered"? (eg., Yom Iyun, tefillot).

To be quite honest, I have no conclusion. I'd love to hear readers' opinions. Thanks!

B'zchus Nashim Tzidkaniyos

Just a quick one here - I must fully acknowledge my utmost respect for the Jewish mothers who make Pesach (/Yom Tov), let alone Shabbos (every week!) happen. My mother was a little under the weather this Erev Pesach, so I became the junior sous chef, right hand man, and assistant manager in the kitchen this year.

Let me tell you - it is exhausting! Three days of of 10 AM to 2:30 AM, practically nonstop cooking, peeling endless pounds of potatoes, cleaning chickens, and washing dishes is very draining. (It's rewarding as well, when you get to stuff your face on yuntif with awesome food that tastes better than chametz...) At the end of it all, I turned to my mom and said:

"Ma, I don't know how you do it every week, all by yourself. And you've been doing this for over twenty years, sometimes with babies running around!"

My mother just looked at me silently, and then said (tearfully):

"Thank you for acknowledging that! It makes it all so much more worthwhile when you say that to me, especially now that you've experienced it, too."

It's hard on our mothers - whether physically, emotionally, or financially, making a beautiful Shabbos every week, and Yom Tov every few weeks, is no easy task. Our mothers do it happily, and don't begrudge us any of it. (I assume) It is a mother's joy and nachas to see her children sitting around the Shabbos table, spending family time together, knowing that she is a part of that. But oftentimes, it goes unnoticed. I know that I have taken for granted my mother's hard work that goes into Shabbos many times.

But retroactively, a sincere "thank you" can make all the hard work seem effortless - even cleaning slimy raw chickens could be pleasurable, in hindsight.

So even if you haven't had the Pre-Pesach Kitchen Experience, tell your mom how much you appreciate all the effort she puts into making a beautiful chag.

While you're at it, show her this; in comparison, your mom is normal.