Sivan Rahav Meir: Test Yourself – Have You Heard About These Events?

1. I heard a beautiful saying this week: 'Even the story of the Exodus from Egypt can be heard from Pharaoh and not just Moses.' In other words, the question in life is who tells you the story. Who interprets reality for you and explains the big picture. Last week, a series of positive, constructive events were published here, leading to an unusual amount of responses. People want to tell more of such stories and also hear more. So here’s another collection. Things that have happened recently in Israel. Test yourselves: Have you heard about them? How much space do events of growth and unity occupy in our consciousness?

• A new settlement was established near Arad, 'Mitzpeh Yonatan'. Two kilometers north of Arad, this week, a group of 20 young families with dozens of their children settled the land. This is a project where the mayor of Arad, Yair Maayan, together with the Movement 'Hashomer Hachadash', removed obstacles and pushed things through to set positive facts on the ground. This area, known as the Arad Valley, is considered neglected. It is a favorite route for bands of thieves. 'Even before all the investigative committees, the events of Simchat Torah taught us to take responsibility,' wrote one of the new residents to me. 'We want to protect the Negev lands for a different security reality.' But it’s not just security; the settlement is also supposed to deal with agriculture, and education is benefiting from it: the families have already registered more than 50 children to educational institutions in Arad, which suffers from negative migration and suddenly experiences the opposite trend. It’s not just 20 families; the ethos of settlement should come back into fashion all over the country, and they are showing the way.

And here’s the story behind the name 'Mitzpeh Yonatan': The training base of the Nahal Brigade is nearby. The commander of the Nahal Brigade, Yonatan Steinberg, even managed to meet with the initiators of the idea before Rosh Hashanah 5784. He was enthusiastic. On Simchat Torah, he went to save lives and fell in a battle against terrorists. The new settlement bears his name.

• And what’s happening in the Gaza envelope settlements? Amazing sparks of restoration and revival. In Kibbutz Be'eri, in a moving ceremony, for the first time since the massacre on 10/7, a Bar Mitzvah was held for Adam Batito. Adam’s grandfather lost his sister on Simchat Torah. She was murdered in her home. Adam himself was in a reinforced security room for 16 continuous hours of horror, with his family. This week he returned to Be'eri and was called to the Torah for the first time, in the kibbutz synagogue. Mazel tov, Adam.
• This spirit also prevails in agriculture. A few days ago, a new type of barley was sown for the first time in Be'eri, in fields that had become a battlefield. Chaim Yellin says: 'This is the first time barley is sown for Israeli whiskey, the first time we are not dependent on barley from abroad. Everything is new for us: the land, the varieties, and the water. There’s excitement and hope, there’s action that momentarily forgets the pain, there’s a connection of man to the land. A beating heart. May we be able to raise a l'chaim with the captives who will be freed.' Amen.
• In Kibbutz Nir Oz, a farewell and demolition ceremony was held, symbolizing the beginning of reconstruction. 'The Blue Kindergarten', one of the community’s famous and iconic buildings, was demolished in a sad-festive ceremony to open a new page. 60% of the homes in Nir Oz were damaged, a quarter of the population was murdered and kidnapped, and to build, one has to demolish. Going down to rise up. 'This is a moment of strength for a community that chooses to rebuild anew from ruin,' read the invitation to the event. The invitation ended, of course, with the guiding phrase for years for the envelope settlements: 'Not Tired of the Path, But Paving the Way'".
• And a few words about this spirit also among the families of the captives: These are such tense days. Days of trial. Rumors, fake news, nerves. It’s important to show strength and resilience, without falling for the enemy’s spins trying to cause discord among us.

In Kiryat Bialik, more than 200 women gathered this week in honor of the 22nd birthday of captive Matan Angerst. His mother Anat shared how the support of the entire Jewish people gives her strength, and she launched the website 'Good Deeds for Matan', together with the local Chabad House. People are asked to join and choose a mitzvah and positive act for him. 'This is also a demonstration,' one participant told me at the end of the evening.

This week, the Gilboa family in Petach Tikva will hold a Torah scroll dedication for their captive daughter, Daniela Gilboa. Her mother Orly sent me the invitation excitedly. The event will start from their home entrance to the nearby synagogue and will connect all sectors surrounding them. It will end with a festive Chanukah candle lighting, hoping that soon light will triumph over darkness.

And the last Shabbat, of Parashat Vayeshev, was declared 'Shabbat for the Captives'. Community Shabbat gatherings will be held in city streets, their names printed to be mentioned in prayer at candle lighting, and everyone is requested to add light and goodness for them.

These are just a few examples. Almost hidden events, but powerful and important. May we know to tell the story correctly.

2. A Bit About the Parasha and Chanukah:

• This week's Torah portion, Parashat 'Vayeshev', is the ninth in the Book of Genesis. The portion begins to tell the famous story of Joseph and his brothers, which will continue until the end of Genesis, from their harsh conflict to reconciliation and reunion.
• Jacob's 12 sons represent the different tribes of Israel. Our commentators explain that each year we read the portion to remember that in Jacob’s family there were different sons, with different roles, who needed to live and act together. Sounds familiar. There's a beautiful saying that states: The Jewish people are the smallest nation – but the largest family.
• The portion describes the many challenges in Joseph’s life, but also his response to all the difficulties. Wherever Joseph goes, he chooses to bring light. His brothers throw him into a pit, and he does not despair. Later he is sold into slavery, then stands up to temptation with Potiphar's wife, and finally is thrown into prison in Egypt. In every place, he represents values, faith in Hashem, and earns respect and admiration.
• This week's portion and the Chanukah holiday connect well this year. In Parashat Vayeshev, Joseph is sold into Egypt, then lives for years in a foreign Egyptian culture, while impressively maintaining his loyalty to his identity. During Chanukah, decrees were issued against our Judaism, and we fought to uphold our values and not assimilate. In a way, this is still the challenge today: the world is global, the surrounding culture is tempting and dazzling, everything is open, accessible, and free, but the small Chanukah candle continues to illuminate the way and never goes out over the years.
• On the coming Wednesday, we will light the first Chanukah candle throughout the Jewish world. This year, we especially pray and act – that the light will increase and overcome the darkness.

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Chanukah.

The column was published in the 'Yedioth Ahronoth' newspaper.