Tuesday, December 6, 2016

If You Truly Will It…

Shabbat Shalom From Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow


Shabbat Vayetze
Torah - Genesis 28:10-32:3 / Haftarah - Hosea 12:13-14:10


Jacob dreamed a dream.  Running away from his jealous and angry brother Esau, Jacob lay down with a stone as a pillow and dreamed of a ladder connecting heaven and earth.  On that ladder were the angels of God who would protect him within the Land of Israel and during his journeys beyond.  He dreamed of being rescued and being protected… and it was so.

Theodore Herzl dreamed a dream.  More than 120 years ago he dreamed that one day the Jewish people would be a truly free people living in its own ancient land, the Land of Israel – Zion and Jerusalem.  He declared, “If you will it, it is not a dream.” And it was so.

Soon we will light our Hanukkah candles and look deep into the flames and dream our dreams.  Let them be dreams of health and happiness for ourselves, our families, and our friends.  Let them be dreams of understanding, coexistence, and cooperation amongst all the religions and peoples of the world. Let them be dreams of peace. 

For if you truly will it, then it is not a dream at all.  It will become a reality. And it was so.

Shabbat Shalom.


Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

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