Sivan Rahav Meir: Reality Surprised Us for the Worse, but It Can Also Surprise Us So Much for the Better

This week, on the 7th of Kislev, we marked 73 years since the passing of Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Charlap, one of Rabbi Kook's leading students, the rabbi of the 'Shaarei Chesed' neighborhood in Jerusalem, and head of Yeshivat 'Mercaz HaRav'. Here are three small stories about this great figure, stories collected by his grandson, Yair Charlap:

• During the Havdalah – as told by the former President of Israel Zalman Shazar, who was close to him – when Rabbi Charlap would say "He who separates between holy and profane, between light and darkness," he would emphasize the word "light" with a loud and strong voice, and in contrast, say the word "darkness" in a softer tone, and so on: "the Seventh day" powerfully, and then "the six working days" quietly, and he made a clear gesture of separation, as if he was truly distinguishing between light and darkness. One could see on his face the sorrow in leaving the holiness of Shabbat.
• At an event marking 100 years since the establishment of the 'Shaarei Chesed' neighborhood, Rabbi Shmuel Auerbach spoke about his memories as a child from the neighborhood rabbi, Rabbi Charlap. He talked about the rabbi's special prayer, which was slow and intentional, and said: "More than seventy years after those prayers, the way he said 'Hear, O Israel'" still echoes in my ears.
• During Rabbi Charlap's last days of illness, digging and drilling equipment worked right under his room's window. The family thought to move the noise source further away. Rabbi Charlap called them and said: "Until now I had the privilege to go out and see the building of Jerusalem. Now I'm in my bed and can no longer go out, but when I hear the noise of the machines, I know that Jerusalem is being built. Do not take from me this right, at least to hear Jerusalem in its construction".

From Havdalah, through the Shema reading, to the sound of the tractor - seventy-three years ago this week, a man passed away who knew how to sanctify every moment. In his memory.

The Nation with the Golan, and with Jacob Our Father

I am trying to organize my thoughts: On such a tumultuous day, there are three words in the weekly Torah portion that can help us - "And I Will Lead On Slowly". Jacob our father explains in the portion the difference between the Jewish people and their enemies.

We move slowly, but surely. Without this interpretation, without this patience, one might simply think the world has gone crazy. That everything is chaos, everything is scary. But one must tell the story correctly: It's not a mess. There is a big, long process here. It has direction and purpose. Historical, biblical shifts are happening here. The Jewish people are returning to their land after two thousand years of exile. It's not easy. The whole world needs to learn from us to distinguish between good and evil, between sacred and impure. Anyone who joins this process – will be blessed. Anyone who disrupts the process – will eventually be thrown into history's trash can.

The Jewish people are small and eternal. Our enemies are great and temporary. But Jacob our father tells Esau, his more impressive and stronger-looking enemy, that our pace is different. "And I Will Lead On Slowly" is essentially "The eternal people are not afraid of a long journey." And the eternal man is also not afraid of a long journey.

It's a historic week. After 52 years of bloody rule in Syria, Assad's regime disappeared overnight, and Israel is already entering Syria. Who remembers the Iranian president who just crashed in his helicopter, the spectacular pager operation, the elimination of Nasrallah, the assassination of Sinwar who was eliminated as just another terrorist, and all the actions we will never know about.

The events are still unfolding, and we don't really know. It's almost funny (or sad) to read learned analyses of "experts" in suits and ties, just from a day ago.

In the face of such upheavals - one can first of all rejoice over another cruel wicked one that falls. And also hope and act and pray. And thank all those involved in the work (especially behind the scenes, quietly). And also – to know how to contain the complexity, the sorrow, and the hope together. And to be filled with humility, faith, and strength. And to increase Torah and good deeds, which give power.

And especially now, in the month of Kislev - remember the Story of Chanukah, which teaches us: if we remember who we are and what our identity is - there are victories and salvations, miracles and wonders, in those days and also in this time. Even at the time, the Maccabees did not know they would be a holiday on our calendar. How will we see these days in 50 years?

Reality surprised us so negatively on Simchat Torah 5784, beyond all imagination. But reality can also surprise us positively, from directions we haven't even dreamed of. "And I Will Lead On Slowly". Our final victory will come, and the world is moving and progressing towards good.

And as our sages said: even better, and even better... Perhaps not for nothing is this our soundtrack now.

Good news.

Strength from Kiryat Shmona

"Hello Sivan, on such a day, it's important to us that the public knows: Kiryat Shmona's yeshiva returned home today! We arrived here yesterday and remembered together the last four graduates of the yeshiva who fell – Eitan Dishon, Achia Deskel, Elkanah Navon, and Hillel Yaniv of blessed memory. We placed their picture at the entrance to the study hall. We danced, with tears in our eyes, and with the residents of Kiryat Shmona, who are also beginning to return. And from this morning – we will return to study Torah with strength, in our Hesder Yeshiva, which had to be evacuated for over a year.

"In this week's Torah portion Jacob our father fights at night with a mysterious figure, an enemy. The enemy wounds him, harms him, but cannot defeat him. And after a whole night of struggle, Jacob declares: 'I Will Not Let You Go Unless You Bless Me'. He is not willing for the struggle to end without receiving a blessing. This is our Jewish call always, in the face of the absolute evil that attacks us in every generation: from every crisis and challenge – we shall grow.

"And indeed, this enemy gives Jacob a great blessing, he gives him a new and much more powerful name: 'Your Name Shall No Longer Be Called Jacob, but Israel'. This is our name to this day.

"We too feel that out of all the difficulty and sadness – we have risen to a new level. You can't stay the same. One must grow. I will dedicate my Torah study this morning in memory of my friend Eitan Dishon of blessed memory, who left a huge void in the world that needs to be filled with much Torah, commandments, and good deeds.

"I wish all of us, in all the challenges, to nurture blessing from pain. Good news from the building Kiryat Shmona!

5 Things About the Weekly Torah Portion

1. This week's Torah portion, Vayishlach, is the eighth portion in the Book of Genesis. The portion tells of Jacob's encounter with his brother Esau, who threatens to kill him. The Torah does not hide the fact that Jacob is afraid: "Jacob Was Very Afraid and Distressed." But he channels his fear into action: he sends Esau a gift as a gesture of reconciliation, prays to Hashem for help, and prepares for war. Our commentators have been learning from this portion for thousands of years how to deal with a threat and challenge before us.

2. Our sages teach us that Esau the wicked does not look like a wicked person. Outwardly he probably seemed impressive. The wicked do not always look wicked... the impressions and disguises sometimes confuse us.

3. The prayer of Jacob our father, which has also become a famous song today, can teach us a lot: "I Am Unworthy of All the Loving-Kindness and All the Truth You Have Shown Your Servant," he says to Hashem. Unworthy - I first of all thank for what I have, and live with a sense of humility and gratitude. "For With My Staff I Crossed This Jordan and Now I Have Become Two Camps." He remembers crossing the Jordan River with just a staff, alone, and now he has a large tribe, a large family, and much wealth. And from here - he seeks rescue and help going forward.

4. Before the physical encounter with Esau, the portion describes a spiritual struggle: Jacob struggles at night with an angel, representing Esau. The angel does not manage to kill him, only wound him. Our enemies, throughout the ages, do not manage to destroy us completely, only cause us harm. Jacob continues walking while limping on his thigh. And during the struggle, he also receives a blessing - a new name: Israel. From then until today this is our name. And from every encounter with absolute evil, we seek also to derive blessing, growth, and improvement. To rise a level.

5. The portion includes one out of 613 commandments: since Jacob was injured in the sinew of th thigh, there remains today a prohibition against eating it in animals. This is a law related to kosher dietary laws. Meaning, after Jacob our father struggles at night with a mysterious enemy who wounds his thigh, it impacts the law, the steak on our plate, to this day. This is a fundamental principle: turning historical events into small actions, turning foundational stories into life principles, transforming ideology – into practicality.

How Do We Respond?

This week marked seven years since the passing of Hani Weinrot, a writer and lecturer, and her battle with cancer was an inspiration for many. Here's just one short, wise excerpt Hani wrote. In these times, it is particularly significant:"I discovered a phenomenon that amazed me. Every time someone shares bad news with me, most of the conversation just describes how those around reacted and engaged. People say: 'The doctor was so insensitive, I was infuriated by his attitude,' or 'You wouldn't believe how much my husband is helping me and how devoted he is in this crisis,' or 'Even now that I am sick, my mother-in-law does not call me'

"A person tells you that everything in their life is collapsing, and in the same breath, what matters to them is the human experience, the loyalty, friendship, empathy. Is this an escape from reality? Absolutely not. This is what interests people. Even in the Book of Job, considered in the Bible as a man dealing with many and severe troubles, you can see how important it is to him what his friends say.

"Most people, five minutes after the sky falls on them, what will define their experience, what will make it seem less terrible or more terrible, is the behavior of those in the room with them at those moments. Our reaction is important. Human relations – they are a matter of life and death".

In her memory.