BH
(This Dvar Torah is in memory of Michoel Aron ben Avraham - Michael – Noeth hy”d, who perished in the September 11th, 2001 attack at the Pentagon. Yesterday, Elul 23 on the Jewish calendar, was the corresponding date that year. HY”D.)
This Shabbat, we find ourselves just five short days before the commencement of the New Jewish Year, 5772. We pray that the new year will bring new beginnings and new golden opportunities for each of us.
On Wednesday night of next week we will approach the synagogue with lots on our minds and hearts abotu what we plan for the New Year. We know that G-d is listening.
The second of this weeks Parshiot, Vayeilech, gives meaning and purpose to that transition to a new year.
Vayeilech, which means “he went” (referring to Moses), describes the last days of Moses' life. “Vayeilech” comes from the word 'Halicha' which is also the root for “being on the move.” Not simply “going” somewhere, but a deeper meaning of making a true change to move to another place. A place different hen we currently find ourselves.
With the New Year about to begin we will all experience the idea of “Halicha” independently. But as a nation, we are on the move to greater and brighter horizons.
By taking the time before the New Year to reflect upon the past and make commitments for the future, we are truly preparing for a journey. We are set to be up and on the move. We are in essence being taught to be “movers” and not, heaven forbid, “idlers.” We are tasked with “moving” the world!
To further underatand the idea of “Halicha” another verse in this weeks joint Parsha caught my eye. I mentioned this last year but would like to address it again.
I call this day upon heaven and earth as witnesses. I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. And you shall choose life, so that you and your children may live. (Deuteronomy 30:19)
These words are written in the first of this weeks two Parshiot (Torah portions). Choose life? Who would choose death anyways? Furthermore, “Choose life so you shall live?” Is that not redundant?
Certainly, as we know the Torah does not have a single letter that is extra, so of course, it is not redundant; but how?
Simple: Lets take a look at the two Parshiot (portions) names’ this week. Nitzavim - standing and Vayeilech - to move. Right now we are standing in one place. In order to move from one place a step needs to be taken. Be it even a tiny step, that's all you need to make the transfer from Nitzavim to Vayeilech!
Choosing life to live is certainly not remaining in one place! Its the act of moving forward. Making a difference. Bettering the world and refining ourselves.
May it be the will of G-d that he grant each of us the greatest of blessing for the upcoming year. May we all only know of happiness and joy in 5772. May the Land of Israel see its oppressors stand down and may the people merit to experience peaceful relations.
May G-d continue to protect our brothers and sisters who stand guard over her. And may G-d continue to give the leaders of the State of Israel the continued wisdom and knowledge to do whats right for Land and the People.
I take this opportunity to wish you a happy and healthy, sweet new year! May you and your loved ones experience much joy, happiness and growth in the year to come!
"K'siva V'chasima Tova, L'shana Tova U'mesuka!"
"May you be inscribed & sealed for a sweet new year!"
Friday, September 23, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
An Everlasting Memory.
An Everlasting Memory
By Levi Margolin
September 11, 2009
I grew up in a Chabad House. Chabad of Tidewater to be precise. Throughout the years, hundreds upon hundreds of different people have come and gone. Some we remember quite well. For others, it may take a moment. But only a select few are etched in our everlasting memories.
Michael Allen Noeth was born to a Jewish mother and Roman Catholic father. Sometime after, his mother turned Roman Catholic and his father an observant Jew. Michael was a very gifted artist and joined the navy as a painter. His father requested he visit Chabad wherever his military duties lead him. In 1997, it was Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, VA. Michael was added to the catalog of people to stroll through our Chabad House doors. Instantly, he became a fan favorite.
Michael was as kind as they get, and - some would say - as interesting as they get! Michael was a Navy man, there's no mistake about that - he was very proud of who he was. He always tried to rival Tzivos Hashem - the Army of Hashem - with the Navy of Hashem!
We were privileged to share many firsts with Michael. It's hard to forget the faces he made when he unknowingly gulped down Marror as if it were sugar. Michael learned to chant Kiddush with us. I can still hear him yell "Attention Gentlemen" just before the blessing of Hagofen.
Michael quickly became a part of our family. He once attended a family Simcha decorated in his Dress Whites - gloves, hat and all. Almost every Friday afternoon Michael taxied over for Shabbos, with his Stetson perfectly situated upon his head. The conversation with him was always innocent, interesting and heartfelt. He yearned to know more about his faith. As youngsters, we tried our best. We loved Michael. He related to us. He showed us a good time.
After each deployment and trip abroad, Michael always routed his way back to our home. Seeing him never got old - we loved it. In 2000, after a lengthy mission abroad, Michael was officially re-stationed. This time, he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in the Nation's capital. Oh, Washington, DC. wasn't far. We would see Michael again.
But we didn't. You see, Micheal's new post was in the western side of the Pentagon and on the morning of 9/11/2001, he was proudly positioned there.
He was gone. Senseless hate and a cowardly act had taken my friend away from me. My family had lost an honorary member. I was only 17 years old, but still I cried. I wept. I mourned.
It's eight years later, and I still tear up when I think of Michael Allen Noeth. A gifted artist. A one-of-a-kind. A Proud Jew, enlisted in the Navy of Hashem.
DM2 Michael Allen - Michoel Aron - Noeth USN, truly etched in my everlasting memory.
By Levi Margolin
September 11, 2009
I grew up in a Chabad House. Chabad of Tidewater to be precise. Throughout the years, hundreds upon hundreds of different people have come and gone. Some we remember quite well. For others, it may take a moment. But only a select few are etched in our everlasting memories.
Michael Allen Noeth was born to a Jewish mother and Roman Catholic father. Sometime after, his mother turned Roman Catholic and his father an observant Jew. Michael was a very gifted artist and joined the navy as a painter. His father requested he visit Chabad wherever his military duties lead him. In 1997, it was Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, VA. Michael was added to the catalog of people to stroll through our Chabad House doors. Instantly, he became a fan favorite.
Michael was as kind as they get, and - some would say - as interesting as they get! Michael was a Navy man, there's no mistake about that - he was very proud of who he was. He always tried to rival Tzivos Hashem - the Army of Hashem - with the Navy of Hashem!
We were privileged to share many firsts with Michael. It's hard to forget the faces he made when he unknowingly gulped down Marror as if it were sugar. Michael learned to chant Kiddush with us. I can still hear him yell "Attention Gentlemen" just before the blessing of Hagofen.
Michael quickly became a part of our family. He once attended a family Simcha decorated in his Dress Whites - gloves, hat and all. Almost every Friday afternoon Michael taxied over for Shabbos, with his Stetson perfectly situated upon his head. The conversation with him was always innocent, interesting and heartfelt. He yearned to know more about his faith. As youngsters, we tried our best. We loved Michael. He related to us. He showed us a good time.
After each deployment and trip abroad, Michael always routed his way back to our home. Seeing him never got old - we loved it. In 2000, after a lengthy mission abroad, Michael was officially re-stationed. This time, he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in the Nation's capital. Oh, Washington, DC. wasn't far. We would see Michael again.
But we didn't. You see, Micheal's new post was in the western side of the Pentagon and on the morning of 9/11/2001, he was proudly positioned there.
He was gone. Senseless hate and a cowardly act had taken my friend away from me. My family had lost an honorary member. I was only 17 years old, but still I cried. I wept. I mourned.
It's eight years later, and I still tear up when I think of Michael Allen Noeth. A gifted artist. A one-of-a-kind. A Proud Jew, enlisted in the Navy of Hashem.
DM2 Michael Allen - Michoel Aron - Noeth USN, truly etched in my everlasting memory.
Friday, September 9, 2011
9.11.2001. Remember.
(This Dvar Torah is in memory of Michoel Aron (Michael Allen) Noeth, USN, who perished in the pentagon on 9.11.2001 and all the innocent lives that were lost on that fateful day. G-d Bless America.)
This Sunday will mark the 10-year anniversary of the atrocities of September 11, 2001. On that day, the world saw evil at its worst. On that same day, the world saw kindness at its best.
Kindness. Unity. Camaraderie. Friendship. Family. Patriotism.
All aspects of good in humanity shined bright as cowards attempted to break our resolve and purpose. Attacking us at our population and business center, the heart of Lower Manhattan, the World Trade Center.
The terrorists aimed to hit us hard and harm our country at the core. They did. But we rebounded. We did not let a group of lowly people determine how we were to live our lives.
Yes, we certainly rebounded and rebuilt. But not without reservation. We all feel it on a daily basis. Less certain. Less safe.
In this weeks Torah portion, Ki Teitzei, we are told, at the very end of the seventh reading, “Remember what the Nation of Amalek did to you... obliterate the remembrance of Amalek from beneath the heavens. You shall not forget!” This lessons is relevant today more than ever.
When Amalek attacked the Jewish Nation on its way out of Egypt, the world saw something which can only be explained as “amazing.” G-d had just finished delivering the Hebrews from the hand of Pharaoh and splitting the Red Sea, amongst a multitude of other miraculous events.
The world saw this clearly! G-d was on the side of the Jewish People and he was going to lead them to the Promised Land! The Egyptians found out the hard way. And as the other Nations of the World saw, miracle after miracle occurred, the ‘mighty’ Egyptians fell and the Jews were well on their way.
Then Amalek came along. G-d? Miracles? Chosen? “Doesn’t bother me!” And they marched forward to attack the Nation of Israel. The world, just as they saw the miracles, saw this as well. And ultimately, even as Irael defeated their unexpected enemy, the Jews were no longer untouchable. Doubt had risen. The Iron Fist which surrounded them seemed weaker.
Nations of the World took note. The Nation of Israel was humbled. And slightly less certain.
Today, we find ourselves in a different world. We know the terrorists wont beat us. We are certain that good will prevail. However, whether we like to admit it or not, we are less certain. Less sure of ourselves.
The modern day “remembering and obliterating” of Amalek begins with each of us. We must obliterate the name of evil. Conquer them and make the world a safe place for our children to live. We must remember the atrocities that occurred, and be certain they don’t happen again.
While the events of 9/11 are certain to never happen, that’s not the only atrocity that needs to be remembered. We must also remember the serenity which existed before and aim for its return to our lives.
May G-d continue to look over our troops who proudly protect the United States of America around the globe. May G-d bestow blessing upon them and their families.
9.11.2001. Remember.
This Sunday will mark the 10-year anniversary of the atrocities of September 11, 2001. On that day, the world saw evil at its worst. On that same day, the world saw kindness at its best.
Kindness. Unity. Camaraderie. Friendship. Family. Patriotism.
All aspects of good in humanity shined bright as cowards attempted to break our resolve and purpose. Attacking us at our population and business center, the heart of Lower Manhattan, the World Trade Center.
The terrorists aimed to hit us hard and harm our country at the core. They did. But we rebounded. We did not let a group of lowly people determine how we were to live our lives.
Yes, we certainly rebounded and rebuilt. But not without reservation. We all feel it on a daily basis. Less certain. Less safe.
In this weeks Torah portion, Ki Teitzei, we are told, at the very end of the seventh reading, “Remember what the Nation of Amalek did to you... obliterate the remembrance of Amalek from beneath the heavens. You shall not forget!” This lessons is relevant today more than ever.
When Amalek attacked the Jewish Nation on its way out of Egypt, the world saw something which can only be explained as “amazing.” G-d had just finished delivering the Hebrews from the hand of Pharaoh and splitting the Red Sea, amongst a multitude of other miraculous events.
The world saw this clearly! G-d was on the side of the Jewish People and he was going to lead them to the Promised Land! The Egyptians found out the hard way. And as the other Nations of the World saw, miracle after miracle occurred, the ‘mighty’ Egyptians fell and the Jews were well on their way.
Then Amalek came along. G-d? Miracles? Chosen? “Doesn’t bother me!” And they marched forward to attack the Nation of Israel. The world, just as they saw the miracles, saw this as well. And ultimately, even as Irael defeated their unexpected enemy, the Jews were no longer untouchable. Doubt had risen. The Iron Fist which surrounded them seemed weaker.
Nations of the World took note. The Nation of Israel was humbled. And slightly less certain.
Today, we find ourselves in a different world. We know the terrorists wont beat us. We are certain that good will prevail. However, whether we like to admit it or not, we are less certain. Less sure of ourselves.
The modern day “remembering and obliterating” of Amalek begins with each of us. We must obliterate the name of evil. Conquer them and make the world a safe place for our children to live. We must remember the atrocities that occurred, and be certain they don’t happen again.
While the events of 9/11 are certain to never happen, that’s not the only atrocity that needs to be remembered. We must also remember the serenity which existed before and aim for its return to our lives.
May G-d continue to look over our troops who proudly protect the United States of America around the globe. May G-d bestow blessing upon them and their families.
9.11.2001. Remember.
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