The Jerusalem covenant hoping for the millions in honor of the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem

Can't see images? Click here... Rabbi Yehuda Lave If You Don't Know, Say So Many people will perform mental gymnastics to avoid saying, "I don't know." Depending on the context of a situation, these three words can be very difficult to say. Every time you don't know something that you're asked about, have the courage to say, "I don't know." View every time you repeat this three-word sentence as another time that you are increasing your level of courage. This way, instead of feeling embarrassed that you don't know, you'll be able to focus on the fact that you are increasing your level of courage. Saturday is TuBShvat. Enjoy the coming spring. Love Yehuda Lave   The Jerusalem covenant hoping for the millions in honor of the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem See this Link: http://jerusalemofpeace.com/ The Jerusalem Covenant  The Jerusalem Covenant is a proclamation acknowledging the miraculous return of the Jewish people to Jerusalem. It was initially signed at the President's residence on Jerusalem Day in 1992, marking the 25th anniversary of Jerusalem's reunification. The covenant is currently presented in the Knesset's Shagal Hall, next to Israel's Declaration of Independence and has been signed by hundreds of thousands of Jerusalem lovers around the world.  Jerusalem of Peace Photo Exhibit The exhibit is a unique initiative of Member of Knesset Yehudah Glick, to mark the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem. This exhibit is comprised of 50 photographs, taken by the Jerusalem-based photographic artist Sharon Gabai, which portray a pluralistic, multi-colored and   Tu B'shvat on Saturday Tu B'Shvat appears in the Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 2a) as one of the four "new years" in the Jewish calendar: "Beit Hillel says that the 'new year for the trees' is the 15th of Shevat – Tu B'Shvat." The custom on Tu B'Shvat is to eat fruits from the seven species for which the Land of Israel is praised: "...a land of wheat, barley, [grape] vines, fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and [date] honey" (Deut. 8:8). Kabbalistic tradition even includes a mystical Tu B'Shvat "seder" service (conceptually similar to the Passover seder), where the inner dimensions of fruits are expounded, along with blessings, songs and deep discussion. The 16th century kabbalist Arizal taught that eating 10 specific fruits and drinking four cups of wine in a specific order can bring one closer to spiritual perfection. Some Jews preserve their etrog from Sukkot and eat it on Tu B'Shvat. This is also considered a propitious day to pray for a beautiful etrog on the following Sukkot. In contemporary Israel, Tu B'Shvat is a sort of Jewish Arbor Day – a day of environmental awareness where trees are planted in celebration. Agricultural Laws in Israel Tu B'Shvat has great significance in the agricultural laws that are relevant in the Land of Israel. As "new year for the trees," Tu B'Shvat is the cut-off date in the Hebrew calendar for calculating the age of a fruit-bearing tree. Each tree is considered to have its "birthday" on Tu B'Shvat. This means if you planted a tree on Shevat 14, it begins its second year the next day; whereas planting a tree on Shevat 16, it does not reach its second year until the following Tu B'Shvat. Think of Tu B'Shvat as the fiscal year for agriculture. The practical relevance of this is that during a tree's first three years, its fruits are forbidden under the biblical injunction against eating Orlah (Leviticus 19:23). Furthermore, Tu B'Shvat is the new year for determining the tithes: In years 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the 7-year Shmita cycle, 10 percent of produce grown in Israel is Maaser Sheni, which must be redeemed with a coin. In years 3 and 6 of the cycle, that 10 percent is Maaser Ani. When partaking of fruits grown in Israel, they must be properly tithed. Otherwise, the fruits are not "kosher." Blessings on Fruit The proper blessing before eating any fruit is: "Baruch Atah Adod-nai Elohai-nu Melech HaOlam boray pri ha-aitz." "Blessed are you God, King of the Universe, Who creates the fruit of the tree." [A few fruits, such as pineapple, have a different blessing – the last word is changed to "ha-adama."] On Tu B'Shvat, it is also customary to eat a "new fruit" – a seasonal fruit that you have not yet tasted this season, and say the following blessing:   When eating two foods with the same bracha, e.g. a date and an apple that both require Ha'aitz, one bracha covers both foods. If you plan to eat more than one kind of fruit, the principle is: Say a blessing (bracha) over the more important of the two foods. The Code of Jewish Law (OC 211) outlines a specific order in which to say the bracha over (and consequently which food to eat first). A key factor in determining "importance" is the special "Seven Species." Therefore when faced with two foods of the same bracha – e.g. dates and apples – you would say Ha'aitz on the dates (one of the seven species). [The special status of the Seven Species applies even to non-Israeli produce. Although, with all things being equal, produce grown in Israel has bracha-preference over produce from the Diaspora.] Furthermore, this verse teaches the order of importance within the seven species themselves. The rule is that a fruit or grain that is mentioned closer to the word "land" (which appears twice in the verse) is considered of higher importance. Within the seven species, the order of importance is: wheat / barley / olives / dates / grapes / figs / pomegranates To memorize this list, one rabbi suggests the following ditty, whose first letters correspond to the first letter of the seven species, in order: We Believe One Day God Forgives Penitents. Don't let anyone steal your dream Identify your dream. One way to do this is to ask yourself this question: If money were no object and failure was not possible, what would you do? When you've identified it, write it down, make a vision board to support it, and most of all, have no doubt that it can happen in your life! Only share your dreams with people who are supportive of you. Surround yourself with people who love and encourage you. If you suspect someone may not be supportive, don't give them the opportunity to steal your dream by sharing it with them.  Remember "Nothing ventured, nothing gained". If you don't try, success is not an option and failure is a given. Trust, not Fear. Trust is the bullet-proof vest for Dream Stealers. Dream Stealers feed on fear, yours and theirs. By putting your faith in trust and not collapsing into fear, you are giving your dreams fertile ground to grow. Never give up. Sure, along the way you may fall down, but sometimes those challenges are our biggest lessons and lead us to even bigger and better things. If you never get back on the horse after you've fallen off, you'll never go anywhere. Never allow someone making $40,000 a year tell you that you can't make $100,000! Instead seek out those who have succeeded fulfilling their dreams. Talk to them, read about them, learn from them, be inspired by them. Remember that there are no "Do-Overs" in life. You get one chance, don't waste it by sitting on the sidelines. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If you truly want to set yourself free, stop worrying about what other people think. They are no better or wiser than you are and are just as afraid of failing as everyone else. Besides, no matter how much you worry about it, you can never control what other people think of you, so don't waste the effort by trying. Keep the cheerleaders in your life and fire the naysayers. They aren't worth your time or your effort, and they certainly aren't worth giving up your dreams! Encourage others to follow their dreams. BE the dream builder you want others to be for you. You will be amazed at how empowering this can be! Give yourself credit. Praise yourself for the little successes, not just the big ones. Do something each day that makes you feel good about yourself. Exercise, take a walk, finish a project, etc. One of my favorite quotes is by Eleanor Roosevelt. Mrs. Roosevelt said, "Do one thing each day that scares you", meaning, face your fears and do it anyway. One of the best ways to increase your self esteem is by setting goals and keeping them. Remember that the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Praise yourself and give yourself credit for each step you take towards your dream, and remember that the journey is as important as the destination! Dream stealers show up in all shapes and guises. They can be our parent, sibling, partner, or best friend. They can come from a position of concern, fear, jealously, their own lack of self-worth, or just plain carelessness. Whoever they are, and wherever they're coming from remember this, just because they are speaking THEIR truth, doesn't mean it is THE truth, and it certainly doesn't have to be YOUR truth! The choice is ultimately yours. Go forth, dream big, and remember the words to Somewhere over the Rainbow, "…the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true."  Copyright 2017 Cathleen McCandless, All Rights Reserved Kotel from 1911 http://www.universtorah.com/video/histoire/le-kotel-de-1911-a-nos-jours_2422.htm Travel plans from my friend Yvette TRAVEL PLANS FOR 2017   I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.   I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.   I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my children, friends, family and work.   I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore.   I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.   I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.   Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older.   One of my favourite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenaline flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get!   I may have been in Continent, but I don't remember what country I was in. It's an age thing. They tell me it is very wet and damp there.   Some other suggestions added by a friend. Occasionally I have been under the Weather - generally a place I prefer to avoid.   Over the Rainbow is definitely a bright place to be.   Beside Myself is another state that I try not to be - not impossible for a Gemini like me, but strange for the other 11/12 of the population.   Those who come from in Delible see things in black and white. They are rather like those who are on the Straight and Narrow.   If you go in Describeable, you'll meet many artists and sculptors, doing their best.   Try to go in Discriminate once in a while - the trouble is that it generally causes more trouble.   I have met several people where were on the Up and Up, but they're not as much fun as those who are in Tentionally, having fun.   Whatever you do, do not go down in the Dumps. Never Assume ALWAYS ASK, NEVER ASSUME! > > > > > >       His request approved, the CNN News photographer > quickly > >       used a cell phone to call the local airport to > charter > >       a flight. > > > > > >       He was told a twin-engine plane would be waiting > for him > >       at the airport. > > > > > >       Arriving at the airfield, he spotted a plane > warming up > >       outside a hanger. > > > > > >       He jumped in with his bag, slammed the door shut, > and > >       shouted, 'Let's go'. > > > > > >       The pilot taxied out, swung the plane into the > wind and > >       took off. > > > > > >       Once in the air, the photographer instructed the > pilot, > >       'Fly over the valley and make low passes so I > can take > >       pictures of the fires on the hillsides.' > > > > > >       'Why?' asked the pilot. > > > > > >       'Because I'm a photographer for CNN', > he responded, 'and > >       I need to get some close up shots.' > > > > > >       The pilot was strangely silent for a moment, > finally he > >       stammered, 'So, what you're telling me, > is.  You're NOT > >       my flight instructor?' > > > > > >       "Life is short.  Drink the good wine > first." > > Was climate change real? http://archive.is/ZezeU See u tomorrow -Love Yehuda Lave Rabbi Yehuda Lave Your mailing address Contact Phone Website LIKE TWEET FORWARD You received this email because you signed up on our website or made purchase from us. 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