A Torah Returns

Torah is a tree of life. These are the words we say lovingly, each time the Torah is raised after being read in the synagogue. The Torah is at the heart of Judaism, guiding us each day, precious, respected and revered.  The Torah indeed adds life and vitality to our days.

This Shabbos I watched the term "tree of life" take on a new meaning. Our Chabad House is fortunate to own a few Torahs. Amongst the Torahs living in the Aron Kodesh, one of our Torahs required repairs and refurbishing.  A family who is near and dear to us stepped up to the plate to return this Torah to its full glory in the memory of three beloved parents and in honor of a very special father.

The Torah was carefully delivered to Brooklyn where the Sofer (scribe) could lovingly restore the Torah, so it could return to being read from. What an incredible honor for the Torah! While the Sofer worked diligently in Brooklyn, the team here in Norfolk got to work planning schedules, menus and decor for the eventual welcoming back of the Torah.

This past Shabbos we welcomed this Torah back to its home, back to the Aron Kodesh at Chabad of Tidewater, and thats when the tears started.  When a Torah is returned to use, the other Torahs in the ark all come out to "greet" the new or returning Torah. My eyes filled with tears of joy as I watched the Torahs greet their "friend". The Torahs were lovingly walked out to greet the returning Torah, welcoming it back into the Shul. The entire congregation burst into songs of joy, dancing around and around, up and down, as the Torah passed one person after another, being gently kissed by each person on the way. The Torah is indeed a tree of life.

If this wasn't enough emotion for one day, I then caught a glimpse of my friend Susan, her sister, her daughters and her grandchildren, reaching out to touch this beautiful Torah. With the recent passing of Susan's mother, the emotions were practically tangible, as everyone reached out to touch her mother's Torah. As I watched, I felt like I watched a tiny bit of sorrow transform to joy in the knowledge that this family's loved ones would live on in our shul.  It was clear that a soul of a person can indeed be felt through the rededication of a Torah. I truly felt like I was watching the entire family reaching out and holding on to the most important people in their lives, knowing that now they have a vital part in the continuation of the Jewish people. The Torah is indeed a tree of life - and I am truly honored to have been able to join in the celebration and bear witness to the continuation of the Torah amongst the Jewish people.

A Jewish celebration isn't complete without food - and the kiddush following services was most certainly grand. Here is a recipe from the beautiful lunch we all shared together. Brownie recipe borrowed from my cousin Esty:)

Brownies 

Note: This recipe is for a 9 x 9 pan. I usually triple the recipe and use 2 9x13 pans. 

1/2 cup oil
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla 
2 eggs
1/2 cup flour 
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda

Preheat oven to 350. Mix ingredients together. Spray tray, pour in batter. Bake until toothpick comes out clean - about 20 minutes.  Enjoy! 

The Day We Missed The Finish Line

 Last February, my husband and I woke up at 4:00 am in Jerusalem and drove with my brother Levi to his race in Tel Aviv, with plans to watch him cross the finish line. However, that was not to be, and after a string of comedic events, we found ourselves far away from the finish line, and needing to take a taxi back to the car. During our ride, the driver asked us what we do in America, the driver was thrilled to hear that we run a Chabad House and shared just how much he loves to visit Chabad Houses when he travels abroad. Our driver also told us that he puts on Tefillin whenever he sees the Chabad yeshiva boys at their Tefillin booth. Levi shared that being unsure what time we would return to Jerusalem, he had brought his own Tefillin along, and asked if would he like to put on Tefillin when we arrive at the car? The driver’s eyes lit up at the opportunity. He put on Tefillin, I took photos of the newly minted friends, and was truly amazed at where our changes in plans had led us.

While I truly wished to have seen my brother cross the finish line, it was clear to me and Levi, that G-d had orchestrated our day, just so this taxi driver could put on Tefillin that Friday. This story energized us and gave us a great tale to tell upon our return home. The real question is why? Why were we so thrilled to have helped someone do a Mitzvah, instead of being aggravated at our plans having been derailed? Why? Bcause every single Mitzvah is of utmost importance.

In our world there is dark and light, good and evil. The Rebbe teaches us that it is up to us to overcome the evil, the darkness, by pushing it out of the way with good, with light. In my Torah and Tea Tanya class last night, we discussed the importance of goodness overflowing, to the point where it takes up space from evil, and causes it to move out of the way. Following the recent tragedy in Pittsburgh, we remind ourselves that it is up to us to push evil, darkness and hatred out of the way. This is done by increasing in acts of goodness and kindness, by increasing in the Mitzvot we do, and the Mitzvot we help others do, by sharing a message of love and light. Together we  CAN and WILL eradicate darkness,evil and hate and bring about the revelation of Moshiach!

Here is the recipe from this week's Torah and Tea class. This recipe is from one of my favorite cookbooks, "Real Life Kosher Cooking" by Miriam Pascal.

(If you've never been to Torah and Tea...women from across Hampton Roads are invited to join this weekly, fun and tasty Torah study class - email rashibrashi@me.com for more info)

Oatmeal Cranberry Biscotti with Chocolate Drizzle

3/4 cup oil

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 brown sugar (I used light brown sugar this time)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

3 eggs

1 1/2 old fashioned oats

1 3/4 cups flour

1 1/4 cups Craisins

Hershey Perfectly Chocolate Icing (adapted)

1/2 cup oil

2/3 cup Hershey's cocoa powder

3 cups powdered sugar

1/3 cup water

1 teaspoon vanilla

Pre-heat oven to 350. Mix first 7 ingredients together - mix well. Slowly add flour and oats. Mix well. Add craisins and mix on low. Cover baking sheet with parchment paper, shape dough into 2 logs on baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes and then slice both logs. Turn the slices on their side, bake for 12 minutes. Flip to other side and bake for 12 more minutes. To make icing - mix all ingredients very well. Once cool, drizzle biscotti with chocolate icing.