When the Torah Comes Alive

I love being in synagogue on Shabbat this time of year. The parasha (portion of the week) is filled with interesting stories. There's so much to learn from the interactions and relationships we read about every week.

Being in Israel as we read these parshiyot makes it even more meaningful. The Torah truly comes alive.

What do I mean?

This past Sunday was the 11th of Cheshvan, which is the date our matriarch Rachel passed away on the way to Bethlehem. It is a date that many go to visit her grave for blessings, especially for finding one's beshert (soulmate) or for fertility.

From the Torah we learn that Rachel was loved by Jacob and also infertile. In the end she was blessed with two sons, but she passed away in childbirth. Unlike the other patriarchs and matriarchs, she was not buried in the Cave of Machpelah in Hebron. She is buried in the Tomb of Rachel, on the road from Jerusalem to Bethlehem— within eyesight of where I grew up.

In Jeremiah we learn of the role Rachel plays in the future of the people of Israel by choosing this site as her burial place. She is a source of comfort as the children of Israel are exiled from their land: (Jeremiah, 31: 15-17)

"Thus said GOD: A cry is heard in Ramah— Wailing, bitter weeping.

Rachel weeping for her children. She refuses to be comforted. For her children, who are gone.

Thus said GOD: Restrain your voice from weeping, Your eyes from shedding tears; For there is a reward for your labor —declares GOD: They shall return from the enemy’s land.

And there is hope for your future —declares GOD: Your children shall return to their country."

Rachel sees the children of Israel leave and she will see them upon their return. How incredibly powerful it is to be able to visit Rachel's gravesite today and see how Jeremiah's prophecy has come to life.

But that's not all. The Shabbat of the 14th-15th of November, when we read the portion of Chayei Sarah, is a weekend that many will spend in Hebron as this is the portion in which Abraham buys a plot in Hebron to bury his late wife Sarah. Today this Shabbat is a celebration of this holy site to the Jewish people, bringing to life the words and events of the weekly portion.

The Torah comes to life in so many ways when one is in Israel. There are so many sites and landmarks that we are able to read about in the text and then look up and see in front of us. What an incredible time it is to be able to visit these sites ourselves and bring the words of the Torah to life.

Thanks for being a part of the journey!

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