#Dovid Gavriel

[ayeletgalena]

Bris Speech for Gabriel Solomon (Gavi) Galena

“Angels All Around” - Lincoln Square Synagogue 5/30/19 

--

So I was walking to shul this morning and I saw a watch store – with a big watch in the window. I walked in thinking I could get my watch fixed before the bris. The man behind the desk said, “Sorry sir, this is a mohel office – I’m a mohel, my father, my grandfather... in short, we’re all mohels.”  

“So you can't fix my watch?” The mohel responds abruptly “No”. 

So I ask while leaving, “So why then is there a big watch in the window if this is a mohel office?”

He responds, “And what exactly would you like us to put in the window....?”

Ha, I mean how many times do you get to do a Mohel Joke? I heard Seth Rogen got his start writing mohel jokes.....

----

So anyways, thank you Rabbis, friends & family for being here to welcome our little malach (malach means angel) Dovid Gavriel...

spoiler alert: We’re calling him Gavi…. I like the alliteration in a newscaster voice: “I’m Gavi Galena, The 10 O’Clock News” 

….A special thank you from myself and Hindy to the grandparents: Rabbi Reuben Poupko & Mindy, Bobby & Arna Fisher, and my mom Rita Lourie Galena for everything we know you do ...and even more for what we don’t know. It’s so special to have the blessing of grandparents on this special day as our Gavi joins the tribe.

Also to our siblings here and not here: Adina, Sarah, Benj, Isaac and Yael, Avi/Shifra, Tamar/Elliot, Ezy/Chany and Jen/David, Ari/Elyssa and Amy & Ben Fisher, Ben actually here from Chicago, thank you!

I say if the number of Poupko WhatsApps is an indication of love, this kid is set for life.  

---

So to talk about our little angel, in Hebrew Dovid Gavriel, in English Gabriel Solomon. I’d like to point to his two great grandfathers - Grandpa David Panar and Zayde Solomon Galena of blessed memory who he is named after.

This is a malach/melech (angel/king) theme – so the names David and Solomon. Two kings, standing beside you right now little Gavi.

First to the Hebrew. Dovid - Hindy’s famous grandpa Dave Panar. Arna’s incredible gentleman of a father who embodied integrity & ingenuity.  A mechanical engineer and later professor for over 25 years at the University of Alberta - he specialized in building, fixing and flying aircraft engines. He was trained first during WW2, he later found himself in Israel right before the war of Independence, and Israel had no airforce or fighter planes.

Miraculously, like everything in Israel’s history, out of the sky an Egyptian fighter jet crash lands on the Tel Aviv beach and the Israeli’s thought, heck we might be able to use this plane. In came David, who guided the search for building parts and then eventually figured out how to built Israel’s first fighter plane - The “Black Spit" -- critical to Israel’s success in the War of Independence. He gave Israel their wings. 

He went on to become a dedicated, beloved, and inspiring teacher and storyteller, so much like his daughter, Hindy’s mother Arna embodies, through her innovative educational work at Wexner Heritage and the University of Cincinnati. Both giving their students the profound unexpected inspiration, the angelic wings to go out there and soar.

So for Gavi, the wings of Israel were built on the back of your great grandpa David Panar and they are passed on to you little Gavi, to wear with pride, wisdom, strength & courage.

---

The next Melach is King Solomon, My Zayde of Worcester Massachusetts. Basically the exact opposite. He was a big, big guy, with an even bigger Massachusetts accent, and after serving in WW2 he took over his dad’s garbage business and almost everyone in town knew him. He could have easily been cast in the Sporano’s - “Solly Baby!” they would say when he appeared, The Jewish garbage & rubbish man. He cleaned up messes all around town. In fact, my year in Israel I get to yeshiva and when I say my name an older rebbe stands up and says what I hope is some connection to Philly or Twins etc, “Galena? Is your grandfather the famous garbage man in Worcester?” Nachas I never wanted but Galena’s always somehow make a name for themselves. 

My dad and our Zayde would always call us “his helpers” -- his literal malachim, surrounding him with love. And I find myself doing the same with my own children, my helpers.

---

Then the final malach - the Gavriel -  is the name we added. Gavriel is one of the archangels in the Torah, meaning God is my strength, my courage, my hero.

Funny thing about angels - my son Akiva once saw a Christmas special on TV and asked me about angels, he said so is Santa invisible? I said yes not really listening. Like Moshiach? I turn around um NO. Oh more like Hashem?? NOOO. So anyways I have some educational work to do but you get the point.  It’s a weird concept. Angels have one mission? They are invisible? They are holy? 

But when you look at who Gavriel is, he is kinda the badass angel. He represents justice, strength might, din. 

He is sorta the Fixer, the Michael Clayton, he cleans up messes. But Gavriel is all about the courage to do and fight for what is right. The original Avenger. He burns things down to build things back up. 

Side note: Gavriel is also apparently the angel of fire, and since Gavi was born on Lag Ba’Omer we found this a fitting sign for his name. Gavriel’s fire, not like Shimon bar Yochai’s fiery eyes, is often, in the end, used for the good of the story….Like the Dragon in Game of Thrones it can be fire for good (against white walkers) or fire for bad (women children in King’s Landing). Making hindy the mother of dragons..

Here are some Midrashic examples of the angel Gavriel interceding:

-Gavriel is one of 3 angels that visit Avraham after his bris, only to tell him he is off to destroy Sedom -He points Yosef in the right direction of his brothers, only so they can sell him into slavery -He collects the signs Yehuda gave Tamar only so she can confirm his paternity -He castrates Potifar (bris theme) so his wife needs Yosef, only to throw him in jail -He knocks out all the maidservants so Batya can pull out baby Moshe from the basket - He pushes baby Moshe’s hand to choose the burning hot coal instead of the gold, only to cause lisp    -He puts a tail on Vashti so she cant come out for Achashveirosh, 

There are many more.  It’s wild. Angels are nowhere and everywhere. And all these instances seem bad or painful, but in the long term ended up being the most critical pivot in our Jewish narrative.

And I ask myself - how many angels have done minor redirects in our lives? I turn left not right, meet this new person or see this old face. How many angels are in this beautiful shul alone listening. 

What I call Invisible Interventions. Little things change the course of the story. The faith in seeing the long of the story. This is the Gevura.

As the famous question around this time asks: Why is the chapter about Har Sinai next to the laws of Shmita? What’s one have to do with the other?

Because real strength is not just doing all the mitzvot- it’s the faith in waiting, holding off, the perseverance of staying the course for a year - and for some, many years. I think about on a personal level: How many needles, doctors, IVFs, retrievals did Hindy go through for this baby to get to this very moment? How many angels intervened? To believe that holding strong, come what may, is a real strength.

Azeh Ho Gibor? Hakovesh et yitzro... When do we feel most holy like angels? at the end of Yom Kippur, by holding off, by not eating. Neilah we are like angels. It’s the holding off that allows us to soar.

In our story - If our son Akiva represents comfort from loss, and Talia our blessing, Gavi represents our return of being fearless. The courage to continue. To move forward.

We have been blessed to be surrounded by angels on all four sides, as the song goes, with Rafael healing and comfort behind us ...and now Gavriel by our side. 

And as I think we can all feel in this room, if we close our eyes – V’al Roshi, V’Al Roshi - Shechina’s Kail, God’s presence, embracing us holding us, like a Rabbi Poupko classic bearhug.

---

One final interpretation of angels is in Pirkei Avos, and with this, I’ll close, it says that with each and every prayer or good deed a person does, you create an advocate, an angel. Angels are created by doing good. 

And what seems like yesterday, with the loss of our first star, angel Ayelet, still burning bright guiding us – like the torch of Lag Ba’omer...I don’t know the number of angels/advocates created by each of you here and our Ayelet Nation beyond – you have gotten us this far, your prayers/deeds were advocates - and with the new strength of our new little helper Gavi, I know we will continue to shine. 

May we all be zocheh today, tomorrow to go out there and keep creating angels… for ourselves, for others, and for our community - bimhayra vyamenu amen.

[labellezadelatora]

VAYESHEV

bs'd Shalom. La idea de esta semana de mi libro 'Healing Anger' es: "Es ilógico pensar que todos deben hacer lo que solicitamos cada momento. Un método comprobado para reducir el enojo en esta área es minimizar nuestras demandas a los demás, especialmente las relacionadas con su comportamiento hacia nosotros. Si dejáramos de prestar atención a cómo actúan los demás hacia nosotros, casi nunca nos enojaríamos." El link para comprar mi libro es http://www.feldheim.com/healing-anger.html Si quieres comprarlo en Israel contactame. Mi revisión semanal llega a más de 5.000 personas en Inglés y Español en todo el mundo. Les ofrezco a todos la oportunidad de compartir la mitzvá de honrar a un ser querido, patrocinando mi Divre Tora, para shelema refua (curación), o shiduj, Atzlaja (éxito). Este artículo esta basado en las ensenanzas de R' Yisajar Frand. Siéntete libre de reenviar este Divre Tora a cualquier otro correligionario. Disfrutalo y Shabat Shalom. Vayeshev: ¿Cuál es el Secreto del Exito en la Vida? En esta parashá, Yaakov le dijo a Yosef que fuera a verificar el bienestar de sus hermanos y el de las ovejas y traer un informe. [1] Esta misión cambió la vida de Yosef de sus hermanos y de hecho, cambió toda la historia del pueblo judío. La Torá dice [2]: “Un hombre lo encontró [a Yosef] y estaba vagando por el campo y el hombre le preguntó qué estaba buscando (¿Ma Tevakesh?). Yosef respondió: "Estoy buscando a mis hermanos, dime por favor dónde están pastando". El hombre le dio indicaciones sobre sus hermanos y Yosef fue a buscarlos. El Rebe de Kotzker (Rav Menachem Mendel de Kotzk) da un "drush" [interpretación homilética]. El pasuk dice: "Un hombre lo encontró". El Midrash Tanjuma afirma que el "hombre" es el Ángel Gavriel, ya que vemos al Ángel Gavriel conocido como "el hombre" en el libro de Daniel [9:21]. A continuación, el pasuk dice: "Y estaba vagando por el campo". Esta es una metáfora del hombre y su vida en la tierra. Las personas a menudo no hacen nada más en sus vidas que deambular y buscar. Aparentemente están perdidos y no saben en qué dirección ir. Finalmente, el pasuk dice: "Y el hombre le preguntó qué estaba buscando". El ángel Gavriel le dijo a Yosef: "Escucha bien. Estás a punto de embarcarte en una de las mas grandes odiseas de la historia humana. Vas a ser arrojado a un pozo. Serás llevado a Egipto y vendido como esclavo. Serás acusado falsamente y pasarás tiempo en la cárcel. Entonces serás sacado del calabozo y te convertirás en el virrey de Egipto. En tu vida, experimentarás las mayores alturas y las mayores profundidades. ¿Cuál es la clave del éxito en esas circunstancias? Debes recordar una cosa: "Mah Tevakesh", siempre debes concentrarte y perseverar en lo que quieres lograr en la vida (¿qué es lo que buscas? "). Si una persona se enfoca y persevera en lo que quiere, no importa lo que le pase en su vida, ya sean los mayores problemas o el mayor éxito, nada lo estropeará o corromperá. Yosef hatzadik, a pesar de todo lo que le sucedió, se mantuvo concentrado y persevero. Nunca fue corrompido. Cuando las personas soportan problemas terribles y se preguntan "¿Por qué me está pasando esto a mí?" [Quizás el enfoque correcto es preguntar: "¿Por qué me está pasando esto PARA mí?], Muchas veces se sienten tentados a tirar la toalla. La inclinación natural de uno podría ser  abandonar todo, incluida su fe, en tales circunstancias. Una reacción común es: "Esto no es justo" y la sumirse en la desesperanza. Por otro lado, cuando las personas se encuentran con éxitos no soñados, también tienden a olvidar de dónde vienen. "Yosef", dijo el ángel, "Recuerda estas dos palabras: "Ma Tevakesh". Manténte enfocado en lo que buscas con consistencia. Si te aferras a ese objetivo, nada te corromperá nunca ”. [No hace falta decir que nuestros objetivos siempre deben coincidir con lo que Hashem quiere de nosotros, como está escrito en Pirkei Avot (2: 4)" .. Haz Su voluntad como si fue tu voluntad que Él hara tu voluntad como si fuera Su voluntad ". Debemos preguntarnos constantemente, ¿qué quiere Di-s de mí ahora?] Muchas veces, conocemos personas que tienen mucho éxito. Nos preguntamos qué los hizo tan exitosos. ¿Por qué algunas personas tienen éxito y otras no tanto? Tendemos a decir que la clave del éxito es el talento, cerebro, la buena fortuna o alguna combinación de ellos. La visión del Rebe Kotzker que nos está enseñando es que el ingrediente principal para el éxito en la vida es el ENFOQUE y la PERSEVERANCIA. Una persona generalmente tendrá éxito si tiene una meta y la mantiene y nunca la pierde de vista. El Maharal explica cuán importante es la consistencia y el enfoque: Ben Zoma dijo: Donde encontramos un pasuk que incluye toda la Torah, "Shema Israel, Hashem Elokenu, Hashem Ejad" (Devarim 6: 4). Ben Nanas dijo, "veAhavta leReeja kaMoja" (Vayikra 19:18). Ben Pazai dijo:  “Y las primeras ovejas que ofrecerás en la mañana. . . ", Refiriéndose al Korban Tamid (Bamidbar 28:4). El Maharal explica por qué el tercer pasuk, que describe el Korban Tamid, podría ser considerado por alguien más importante que el aspecto del judaísmo "Avodat Hashem" (la opinión de Ben Zoma) y el aspecto del "código moral" del judaísmo (opinión de Ben Nanas) . Él explica en el sefer Netivot Olam que la consistencia y el enfoque son los aspectos más esenciales tanto de la religión como de una vida plena. En el judaísmo, podemos ver claramente que el enfoque y la consistencia son el secreto del éxito en la vida. El rabino Yaakov Luban una vez ilustró esta idea haciendo referencia al fenómeno físico de los rayos láser. El láser ha revolucionado el mundo de la medicina, la tecnología y la defensa. El láser es básicamente un haz de luz enfocado en un alto grado que aumenta su potencia hasta el punto de que incluso puede cortar un diamante. El láser utiliza aproximadamente 15 vatios de electricidad. La distinción entre la luz láser y la luz ordinaria es que el láser se enfoca y la luz normal se difunde. Esta metáfora es aplicable también para el éxito en la vida, no solo para el éxito material y monetario; se aplica también al éxito espiritual. Si una persona sabe lo que quiere, está comprometida con esto y puede mantener el enfoque con conostancia para lograr lo que quiere, entonces puede someterse a las pruebas y tribulaciones como Yosef y puede salir adelante victorioso. Este fue el mensaje que el Ángel Gavriel le dio a Yosef. Todos nosotros deambulamos por este mundo. No sabemos a dónde ir y qué hacer. La solución a esta incertidumbre es concentrarse y perseverar en "Mah Tevakesh", lo que queremos lograr en la vida. _____________________________________ [1] [Bereshit 37:14 [2] Bereshit 37: 15-16 Le Iluy Nishmat  Eliahu ben Simja, Perla bat Simja,Yitzjak ben Perla, Shlomo Moshe ben Abraham, Elimelej David ben Jaya Bayla, Abraham Meir ben Lea, Gil ben Abraham. Zivug agun para Gila bat Mazal Tov, Elisheva bat Malka. Refua Shelema de Jana bat Ester Beyla, Mazaltov bat Guila, Zahav Reuben ben Keyla, Mattisyahu Yered ben Miriam, Naftali Dovid ben Naomi Tzipora, Yehuda ben Simja, Mazal Tov Rifka bat Yitzjak, Rajel Simja bat Yitzjak, Yitzjak ben Mazal Tov, Yaacob ben Miriam, Dvir ben Lea, Menajem Jaim ben Malka, Shlomo ben Sara Nejemia, Sender ben Sara y Dovid Yehoshua ben Leba Malka, Yitzjack ben Braja. Exito y parnasa tova de Daniel ben Mazal Tov, Debora Leah Bat Henshe Rajel, Shmuel ben Mazal Tov, Jaya Sara Bat Yitzjak, Yosef Matitiahu ben Yitzjak, Yehuda ben Mazal Sara y Yosef be Sara, Nejemia Efraim ben Beyla Mina.                        

[thebeautyoftorah]

VAYESHEV

bs'd

Shalom.

The thought of this week of my book Healing Anger is

"It is not logical to think that everyone must do what we request at all times. One proven method to reduce anger in this area is to minimize our demands of others, especially those regarding their behavior towards us. If we would stop paying attention to how others act towards us, we would almost never become angry.”

Buy my book at http://www.feldheim.com/healing-anger.html

If you want to buy it from me in Israel let me know.

This article is based on the teachings of R' Yissachar Frand

You have the opportunity to share in the mitzvah to honor a loved one by sponsoring my weekly review, or refua shelema (healing), shiduch, Atzlacha (success).

To join the over 4,000 recipients in English and Spanish and receive these insights free on a weekly email, feedback, comments, which has been all around the world, or if you know any other Jew who is interested in receiving these insights weekly, contact me. Shabbat Shalom.

Vayeshev-What is the Secret of Success In Life?

In this parsha Yaakov told Yosef to go check on the welfare of his brothers and the welfare of the sheep and to bring back a report. [1] This mission changed the life of Yosef and his brothers, and indeed, it changed the entire history of the Jewish people.

The Torah says[2]: “A man found him  [Yosef] and he was wandering in the field and the man asked him what he was seeking (Mah Tevakesh?). Yosef responded ‘I am looking for my brothers, tell me please where they are pasturing.'” The man gave him directions to his brothers and he went to find them.

The Kotzker Rebbe (Rav Menachem Mendel of Kotzk) gives a “drush” [homiletic interpretation].

The pasuk says, “A man found him.” The Medrash Tanchuma states that the “man” is the Angel Gavriel as we find the Angel Gavriel referred to as “the man” in the book of Daniel [9:21].

Next the pasuk says, “And he was wandering in the field.” This is a metaphor for man and his life on earth. People often do nothing more in their lives than wandering and searching. They are seemingly lost and don’t know in which direction to go.

Finally, the pasuk says, “And the man asked him what he was seeking.” The Angel Gavriel told Yosef: “Listen well. You are about to embark on one of the greatest odysseys in human history. You are going to be thrown into a pit. You are going to be taken down to Egypt and be sold into slavery. You are going to be falsely accused and spend time in jail. Then you are going to be taken out of the dungeon and become the viceroy of Egypt. In your lifetime, you are going to experience the greatest heights and the greatest depths. What is the key to success under those circumstances? To remember one thing: ‘Mah Tevakesh?’ You always have to be focused and persevere on what you want to accomplish in life (what is it you seek?).”

If a person focuses and persevere on what he wants, then no matter what happens to him in his lifetime – whether be it the greatest troubles or the greatest success – nothing will ever spoil or corrupt him.

Yosef hatzadik, despite all that happened to him, did stay focused. He was never corrupted. When people endure terrible troubles and ask themselves “Why is this happening to me?” [Maybe the right approach is to ask, "Why is this happening FOR me?], they are many times tempted to throw in the towel. One’s natural inclination might be to give up and forsake everything including his faith under those circumstances. A common reaction is, “This is not fair” and despair.

On the other hand, when people meet with undreamed of success, they also tend to forget where they came from.

“Yosef”, the Angel said, “I am telling you two words. Remember these two words: ‘Mah Tevakesh.’ Keep what you are seeking in focus with consistency. If you hold to that goal, nothing will ever corrupt you.” [Needles to say that our goals must always match was Hashem wants from us, as it is written in Pirkei Avot (2:4) ".. Do His will as if it was your will that He may do your will as if it was His will." We must  constantly ask ourselves, what does G-d want from me now?]

Many times, we meet people who are very successful. We ask ourselves what made them so successful. Why are some people successful and others not so successful? We tend to say that the key to success is talent, brains, good fortune or some combination of them. This insight of the Kotzker Rebbe is teaching that the main ingredient to success in life is FOCUS and PERSEVERANCE. A person will usually be successful if he has a goal and he keeps to that goal and never loses sight of that goal.

The importance of this message is emphasised by the Midrash quoted by the Ein Yaakov, discussing the most central pasuk in the Torah:

Ben Zoma said: We found a pasuk which is all inclusive, “Shema Yisrael, Hashem Elokenu, Hashem Echad.” (Devarim 6:4). Ben Nannas said: We found a pasuk which is all inclusive, Vehhavta lereecha kamocha.” (Vayikra 19:18). Ben Pazai said: We found a pasuk which is all inclusive: “And the first sheep you shall offer in the morning . . . “, referring to the Korban Tamid (Bamidbar 28:4).

The Maharal explains why the third pasuk, describing the Korban Tamid, could be considered by anyone more important than the  ‘Avodat Hashem’ aspect of Judaism (Ben Zoma’s opinion), and the ‘Moral Code’ aspect of Judaism (Ben Nannas’ opinion). He explains in Netivot Olam, that consistency and focus are the most essential aspects of both religion and a fulfilling life. In Judaism, we can clearly see that focus and consistency are the secret for success in life.

Rabbi Yaakov Luban once illustrated this idea by referencing the physical phenomenon of laser beams. Lasers have revolutionized the world of medicine, technology and defense.

A laser is basically a beam of light that is focused to a high degree that increases its power to such an extent that it can even cut through a diamond. Such a laser might use about 15 watts of electricity. The distinction between laser light and ordinary light is that laser light is focused and regular light is diffused. This metaphor is applicable for success in life as well, not only to material and monetary success; it applies to spiritual success as well.

If a person knows what he wants, is committed to what he wants and can always maintain the focus to achieve what he wants then he can undergo the trials and tribulations of a Yosef and can still come out on top.

This was the message the Angel Gavriel gave Yosef. All of us wander on this world. We do not know where to go and what to do. The solution to this uncertainty is to focus and persevere on “Mah Tevakesh”, that which we want to achieve in life.

_____________________________________

[1] [Bereshit 37:14

[2] Bereshit 37:15-16

Le Iluy nishmat Eliahu ben Simcha, Mordechai ben Shlomo, Perla bat Simcha, Abraham Meir ben Leah, Moshe ben Gila,Yaakov ben Gila, Sara bat Gila, Yitzchak ben Perla, Leah bat Chavah, Abraham Meir ben Leah,Itamar Ben Reb Yehuda, Yehuda Ben Shmuel Tzvi, Tova Chaya bat Dovid. Refua Shelema of Mazal Tov bat Gila, Zahav Reuben ben Keyla, Yitzchak ben Mazal Tov, Chana bat Ester Beyla, Mattitiahu Yered ben Miriam, Yaacov ben Miriam, Yehuda ben Simcha, Menachem Chaim ben Malka, Naftali Dovid ben Naomi Tzipora, Nechemia Efraim ben Beyla Mina, Mazal Tov Rifka bat Yitzchak, Rachel Simcha bat Yitzchak, Dvir ben Leah, Sender ben Sara, Eliezer Chaim ben Chaya Batya, Shlomo Yoel ben Chaya Leah, Dovid Yehoshua ben Leba, Shmuel ben Mazal Tov, Malka, Yosef Yitzchack ben Bracha.

Atzlacha and parnasa tova to Daniel ben Mazal Tov, Debora Leah Bat Henshe Rachel, Shmuel ben Mazal tov, Yitzchak ben Mazal Tov, Yehuda ben Mazal Sara and Zivug agun to Gila bat Mazal Tov, Naftali Dovid ben Naomi Tzipora, Elisheva bat Malka. For pidyon hanefesh & yeshua of Yosef Itai ben Eliana Shufra.