The word “he-aleh” comes up a lot in this week’s Torah portion, Vayichi. It comes from the Hebrew root A-L-H, meaning to go up. Here it is used to talk about the burial of Jacob and, later in the time of Moses, Joseph in the land of Canaan. Living in Egypt, the Promised Land is literally geographically above them. But the root A-L-H is used anytime one goes to Israel. We make Aliyah (go up) not to indicate a direction but our ascent to a higher spiritual state.
This week I made that trip upward, along with 22 other Buffalonians, several from CSS. It just feels different to be in the land of our ancestors. Even as the first part of the trip has been in Tel Aviv-Yaffa, immersed in the modern state, it still feels holy. We walk in paths that a century ago were sand dunes, learning about the heroism of the early leaders of the country, meeting people who were present in 48. And then side by side with the intense Israeli market places and thoroughfares, ancient churches, Egyptian markers, and story upon story upon story.
As you read this we are heading toward Jerusalem to spend Shabbat in our holiest of cities. We will climb up the mountain highway, going up and up in holiness, making Aliyah, not permanently, but at least for a moment. Settling on Mount Scopus we’ll see Jerusalem spread out before us in its entirety. The sun will be setting and Shabbat will be near. After a week of traveling, we’ll finally have a chance to rest.
For more about our Israel journey I encourage you to visit to my colleague Rev. Tom Yorty’s blog – https://www.wpcbuffalo.org/israel-trip-2017
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Alex
Last Updated on 01/13/2017 by wpadm