CLD #262

Today is Yom HaZikaron, marking Memorial Day, remembering the 22,800 soldiers who have died for Eretz Yisrael. May their blood be avenged. Therefore, CLD #262 is L'Yilui Nishmat all the Yehudim who have died for the Kiddush Hashem of guarding our Home.
B'H Mitzvah Gorreret Mitzvah. Today while learning at "the spot" at Baruch College (Every Mon. & Wed. 12:40-1:30pm), I heard a remarkable Dvar Torah given by Emanuelle Aharonoff in the name of a Rabbi from the Letter of the Ages book (which translates the Igeret HaRamban).
Eman explained that it is difficult to be Jewish. Having 613 Mitzvot to follow and a strict sense of G-d watching us, always a feeling of duty and an easy way to feel overwhelmed and exhausted with commandments. From the Igeret HaRamban he explained it is actually a gift to be a Yehudi. As we all know, besides for the direct connection with Hashem and the fact that we have part of Hashem in essence due to the present of having a sensitive Neshama, we are The example closest to perfection for this Olam. How can we understand this through a Mashal?
Eman explained what the author wrote: In an entire Cruise Ship all the passengers are given safety instructions, pamphlets on information of the deck, all the floors, the lobby, the dining room, the mini-mall, etc. They are told to have fun, relax, and the crew will take care of everything.
On the other hand, the Captains of the ship and the main Cabin deck are packed with manuals, guides, and endless forms and papers with the instructions of maneuvering the boat, the buttons, the anchor, the loudspeaker, etc.
We are the captains, the leaders, the ones that the entire world is dependent upon. Every action we make affects the entire world. We are the fuse to everything in this world. We ignite Rachamim from Hashem or Chas VeChalilah, tell Hashem to act with us through harsh judgment (by G-d forbid doing Averot).
This still does not suffice the question of: Why is it so hard?
The answer: Hashem wants us to get close to Him. One of the only ways we can get close to Hashem is through Tefillah. In Tefillah Hashem tells us through David HaMelech's tehillim: "Karov Hashem LeKol Korav LeKol Asher Yikre'u'hoo Be'Emet." Close is Hashem to all the people who are close to Him, all the ones who call to Him in Truth. What does that mean "Be'Emet," in Truth? Don't all people pray to Hashem Be'Emet whenever they pray to Him? David HaMelech shows us that not everyone is real. 
The only way to get closer to G-d is to actually really want to get closer to G-d and ask to get closer to Hashem.
No matter what problem or issue we have, even if its just to say Thank You, if it is not from our hearts, we will never feel the closeness to Hashem.
B'H May we ALL wake up to realize that Hashem is not some teacher or professor or sadly a parent, Hashem is the one that knows EVERYTHING, from the tiniest artery in your heart to the last blood cell in your liver. You don't think Hashem knows you are struggling to get stronger?! 
Speak with Him!


Today is the 20th Day of the Omer, which is 2 weeks and 6 days!
B'H Tonight will mark Israel's 63rd Independence Day.

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