Bee's note: This morning, I would like to share more beauty of Israel. All photos are from my friend, Kol Yehuda - Hanoch's Israel:
The lower portion of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) in on the left, the Jordan Valley begins on the right. The mountains in the background? On the left is the beginning of the Golan, and on the right - the mountains of Gilead; in what is today, Jordan
This is a view from Yodfat, the town that Josephus made famous during the Great Revolt against the Romans (I'll write more about that next week) - I thought it provided an interesting contrast in colors
הַמַּלְאָךְ הַגֹּאֵל אֹתִי מִכָּל רָע יְבָרֵךְ אֶת הַנְּעָרִים וְיִקָּרֵא בָהֶם שְׁמִי וְשֵׁם אֲבֹתַי אַבְרָהָם וְיִצְחָק וְיִדְגּוּ לָרֹב בְּקֶרֶב הָאָרֶץ: (מ"ח, ט"ז)
may the angel who redeemed me from all harm bless the youths, and may they be called by my name and the name of my fathers, Abraham and Isaac, and may they multiply abundantly like fish, in the midst of the land."
Genesis 48, 17
may the angel who redeemed me from all harm bless the youths, and may they be called by my name and the name of my fathers, Abraham and Isaac, and may they multiply abundantly like fish, in the midst of the land."
Genesis 48, 17
Hanoch YoungOptions for this storyShabbat starts within the hour, and this week, it is Parshat Bereishit - the very first portion in the annual cycle of reading the Torah. The translation of the first word (in English it becomes 3 words) is: "In the beginning..." And that is the way we should look at it - not just to BEGIN reading the entire Torah again, but to truly BEGIN, all over again - in all areas of life.It is a chance to 'RETURN' or 'RESTART' - for us to 'RENEW' both ourselves, and our mission(s) in life. Yes, a chance to focus, or refocus, to determine our priorities, for us to concentrate on what is truly important and meaningful.Let us not waste this chance to 'Begin' - and let's make it a fresh 'BEGINNING' - for this Shabbat, for now, for the rest of the year, for the rest of our lives....it is up to us - we've been given (another) fresh start - let's make the most of it!Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom from the Chosen Land
I think that the decorations on this home are pretty subtle, don't you?