Almost Eden

Due to my lack of patience over too many crashes with B2evolution blogware, the Almost Eden blog has been moved to WordPress (on it's own domain) and has received a facelift. A little of 2008 history is missing and should be restored this week. Here's the latest post.

This blog location will be turned off as soon as the new Aliyah Handbook site is ready for launch.

It's tempting to buy another pretty dreidel and chocolate coins (that later lead to more dental fillings), or give in to the kids' pleading for secular toys screaming out at them from the shelves of every type of store this time of year, or dollar/shekel store toys that break before the holiday is over (either because they weren't made well or because you later questioned your sanity over buying yet another annoying spinning musical top - or Maccabee swords that lead to endless fighting that makes you want to tear your hair out - and "oops" you crush it by mistake, of course!)

In the interest of Shalom Bayit (or Bayis, if you prefer) and future generations, I highly recommend (and own) the following as great inspirational and educational Chanukah gifts the whole family will enjoy throughout the year.

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BS"D Vayaira and Chayai Sarah 5771

Part 1

Among the many questions that arise from the parasha, one is conspicuously glaring.

When HaShem informed Avraham of His intention to destroy the five totally evil cities of the-then fabulous area of the eastern plain (picture Las Vegas or San Fransisco), Avraham reacted in defense of the evil doers by beseeching HaShem to find some way to spare them. However, when Avraham was told to take his beloved son Yitzchak and offer him up as a sacrifice, Avraham obediently accepted Yitzchak’s fate without uttering a word in defense of his son. Why?

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DVAR TORAH: WE SHALL NEVER “CAVE" IN!

RABBI S. WEISS

The debate is not a new one, it has raged on for millennia:

To whom does the Land of Israel truly belong? Is it eternally the inheritance of the Jewish People? Did we acquire it unlawfully, or “lose it” when we sinned and were exiled from the land?

Our Sedra records the first official purchase by Jews of land in Israel, when Avraham buys Chevron’s Cave of Machpela. But questions abound:

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NBN is running a "This is My Israel" photo contest, but for my son, this video perfectly demonstrates why he's so happy to be living here.

This video is of the birthday reception he received from his classmates recently, which paled in comparison to the "welcome home" he received on the first day of school.

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