Fly Like an Eagle

On Monday, November 2, 2009 at sunset the date on the Hebrew calendar became 16 Heshvan, 5770.

Fifty five years ago on the sixteenth day of the month of Heshvan in the year 5715 my soul left heaven and entered the human earthly body I now inhabit. I was the first of four daughters born to Larry and Linnie Sanderson in Littlefield Texas.
On that day my soul's mission on earth began.

The Torah Parsha for my birthday is Vayeira, which is found in Genesis 18: 1 through Genesis 22: 24. I can't believe I am 55 years old and have never looked up my birthday Parsha. When I realized today that the Parsha we read last Shabbat is my birthday Parsha I was completely blown away.

The themes of this section of Torah are: hospitality, G-d's faithfulness in keeping promises, things that seem impossible in our thinking not being impossible at all when one trust's G-d, and tests that G-d sends our way.

It really IS MY PARSHA!! Jeremiah 1:5 says, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee..." Psalm 139: 3 says, "Thou ...art acquainted with all my ways."

Hospitality comes so naturally to me. If I am not working on a party, planning and preparing for house guests, or looking for the next event I am just not happy. Planning, doing, inviting, and having people come to my home is my true joy in life! Now I know why.

And I have seen G-d's faithfulness throughout my life in many situations that seemed hopeless to me. I have had my share of tests, and must sadly confess that I have not always passed them with flying colors. Yet, here I am. Still living and breathing after 55 years of not always getting it right. Not even close so many times.

I have been thinking a lot lately about getting older. I'm not old yet, but am certainly middle aged. I sometimes forget about how old I really am until I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. It's funny how I don't feel any different than I did when I was 15, 25, 35, or 45.

Yes, I am a little slower, have more aches and pains than I did in younger days. But the "Me" inside this body forgets about all that goes with aging until I see myself in that mirror. Oy vey! Who is that peering out of the mirror at me?

It's certainly a reminder that I ain't gettin any younger. Wrinkles. Gray hair. You might know what I mean. And if you don't know yet, you will.

Time. How does it fly by so quickly!?!

I love the song, "Fly Like An Eagle" by the Steve Miller Band (1976)

You can go to this link to hear it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1f7eZ8cHpM


This is going to be my theme song for the upcoming year, B'H.


Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future

I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
Till I'm free
Oh, Lord, through the revolution

Feed the babies
Who don't have enough to eat
Shoe the children
With no shoes on their feet
House the people
Livin' in the street
Oh, oh, there's a solution

I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
Till I'm free
Fly through the revolution

Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future


Isn't it a great song!!!

I also have some favorite Bible verses that I hope to incorporate into my life in a more real way during my 55th year on earth.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1 & 2 - "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die..." and Psalm 90:12 - "Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." *time keeps on slippin into the future...

Isaiah 40:31 - "...they that wait upon the L-RD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." *I want to fly like an eagle

Leviticus 19:9-10 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the L-RD your G-d. *feed the babies, shoe the children, and house the homeless

There's no time like the present to make changes in my life that will allow me to be a better human. I've already been here for more than 50 years, and no one knows how long they have to accomplish their soul's mission.

Psalm 90:10 tells us, "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away."

So, if I merit to live on this earth for 80 years, I still have some time to try and make the world a better place by my being here.

Ad me’a v’esrim - “May you live for 120 years” is a traditional Jewish birthday greeting. The idea behind the greeting is simple: Moses lived for 120 years. Maybe I will, too.

I sincerely hope to become a better person. More generous. More kind and patient. Less stressed, and more trusting.

I had hoped to invite people to spend the day with me, but since I have been taking an "eye" test for three weeks now, I won't be able to do that this year. But hopefully we can spend some time together soon.

Widget

Connecting Myself to The Land of Israel

I LOVE The Land of Israel and long for the day I can return. I have been blessed to be able to visit there two times (so far). My hope and prayer is that I can go again , and again, and again. If I can't live there, I hope to go often.

I will never forget the first Shabbat that I was in Israel. I was completely overwhelmed with emotion as I watched my youngest daughter lighting candles in the home of dear friends. I wept with joy and love for G-d, for His Land, for the holy Shabbat, and for my daughter.

(Note: This picture is not of my daughter. I got it from the internet because I don't have a picture of her lighting the candles.)


To be in Israel was an amazing experience. To walk on the soil, to breathe in the holiness of the air - feeling the Presence of G-d surrounding me- was a feeling that would be very difficult for me to describe. Just being in Israel "spoke" directly to my soul, giving me renewed strength and vitality physically, mentally, emotionally, and of course, spiritually.



The Presence of G-d is so tangible in Israel that it would be impossible not to feel it. G-d promised in His Torah that He would have a constant, 24/7 connection with the Land of Israel. Devarim 11:12 says, "A land that the L-rd your G-d scrutinizes constantly; the eyes of the L-rd your G-d are on it from the beginning of the year until the end of the year." WOW! G-d must love the Land of Israel more than a mere human can understand.

Bresheit 12:1 tells us, "G-d instructed Abraham, 'Go from your land, from your birthplace, from your father's house, to the land that I will show you.' "

The Hebrew word for "go" -- lech -- is followed by the word lecha, meaning "to yourself." The classical Biblical commentator Or HaChaim asserts that going to the Land of Israel entails moving towards one's self, one's truest, deepest self. I agree with him.

Nachmanides, the great 13th century sage, claimed that the mitzvot of the Torah could be properly fulfilled only in the Land of Israel. Performing mitzvot outside the Land, he wrote, was merely for the sake of keeping in practice, so that when the Jewish people return to the Land, they will know what to do.

I do hope and pray for another opportunity to return to Israel, but in the mean time, I try to do something every day to demonstrate - both spiritually and physically - my love, support for, and bond with Israel.

Praying for peace for all of Israel (not only Jerusalem) connects me spiritually. I make physical connections by using things that are grown or produced in Israel. I have found it amazing that it is really more simple than I would have imagined to find things from Israel. Here is a picture of some of my "connections" with Israel.



I found this hand soap and hand cream at Pier 1 Imports. It is made in Israel, so every time I wash my hands or use lotion I am gaining the benefit of having the holiness of Israel attached to me physically.



I just found these great take out style plastic containers yesterday at Big Lots. I have also found some other plastic type items in the past at other stores so I think that plastic manufacturing might be one of Israel's industries. I feel good about buying anything from Israel because, not only does it connect me to The Land phisically, but it is helping to put money into the economy of Israel. If I can help to support even one business or help to put food on the table of an Israeli employee, then I want to do it. (Notice the label.)



I keep this souvenir I bought on one of my trips hanging in the hallway so I can see it many times throughout the day as I pass by it. My mind immediately takes me back to Israel when I see it.



I love eating and serving foods from Israel! I bought the coffee, pickles, and olives in a kosher grocery store when I was in Dallas a few months ago. I got the jelly in our local grocery store and found the tea in a small gift shop here locally.


To be able to actually hold in my hands, stones that came from Israel is such a blessing to me. I have a small bowl of stones that I picked up from various places while on my trips. (Note: Never take stones from the Holy Temple Mount if you visit there.) When I go to bed each night I choose one of the stones to hold in my hand under my pillow as I go to sleep. I say the bedtime Shema, then drift off to sleep with a tiny bit of Israel with me while I sleep.

A dear dear friend painted a beautiful smoothe stone from her garden and gave it to me as a gift. It sits on my nightstand near the bowl of small stones.





I keep pictures of Israel's captured sons on my fridg so I will remember to pray for their safe and speedy return to their homes and families.


There is absolutely nothing more beautiful than music in Hebrew! Each time I listen to one of my Hebrew cds my soul sings along - even though I don't understand the words with my ears, my soul sure does.



Other ways I attatch myself to Israel is by working on trying to learn Hebrew, by watching Israeli videos, Torah scholars, and rabbis on dvd, by studying Torah and teaching it to my grandchildren, and by giving tzedekah to Israeli charities.







I found this Dead Sea bath salt at Big Lots. I have purchased it from other stores as well, and have found that it is pretty common nowadays. Every year in the mall there are Israeli young people who sell Dead Sea products in little booths in the walkways throughout the mall.

I don't take baths, but the salts are luxurous for soaking tired feet at the end of a long day. When I have my feet in the water, I think of the day we went to the Dead Sea and spent the afternoon at the spa and floating on the sea. It was a wonderful experience.

The Dead Sea minerals have strong healing powers, so I know that I am making myself physically more healthy while I am connecting to Israel.



Other things to help me to stay connected to Israel, G-d, and His Torah as I go through the day.












Rebbe Nachman from Breslov said, "Wherever I go, I'm going to Eretz Yisrael."

That is my heartfelt desire as well. But until the time comes that I am able to do so I will continue to look for ways to connect myself to Israel in physical and spiritual ways every day.

My dear friend, Pam, called early this morning to let me know that her daughter was in labor with her first grandchild. After reminding her to drive safely (through downtown Dallas rush hour traffic) I hung up the phone and began praying Psalm 20 for both mother and baby. This Psalm has power to bring an easy delivery and birth.

After I prayed I went for a walk in my neighborhood. I wanted to share my photos and my thoughts.

Mazel Tov Pam, Jenny, and Zack! May your family continue to grow in love and peace!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

My Shabbat Celebration June 12, 2009

Me with my new Persian friend



My dear friend since 5th grade



The Shabbat candles and challot



The second meal (Shabbat morning)



Chabad House in Dallas



Standing by the menorah in front of the shul


I spent Shabbat two weeks ago in Dallas. I had gone down for a Noahide conference earlier in the week. After the conference I stayed with a Christian friend that I have known since we were in the 5th grade.

She had attended the conference with me and wanted to have Shabbat dinner and attend prayer service at a synagogue. She had never participated in either of these things.

I cooked dinner Friday night for the two of us. Then Hashem sent a surprise guest to the apartment.

One of my friend's co-workers had no power in her apartment due to storms in the area knocking out power to many homes and businesses on Wednesday night. She phoned and asked if she could come over to do her hair and makeup in the bathroom since she could not see in her own apartment.

So, as I was finishing dinner, setting out the candles and flowers she arrived. We began talking and I learned that she is Muslim and is from Iran. Her parents sent her and her siblings to universities in the US and Canada. They do not want their children living in Iran.

She said that her family is not religious, but that her grandmother does say the prayers. We discussed religious conversion, being a Noahide, and Pam mentioned some things about Christianity. It was quite an interesting conversation to say the least.

She said that if someone converts to a religion other than Islam in Iran that they would be killed. She said she likes the freedom that people in America have to choose any or no religion and that no one will try to stop them. Or kill them.

I asked her if she wanted to join us for Shabbat dinner and she said that she would like that. So, I had the blessing of lighting Shabbat candles in the home of a Christian friend with a Muslim guest. I had the opportunity to explain (very basic language) why candles are lit, why Shabbat is important to all mankind, and why it is a special time for my family.

I never would have thought about spending Shabbat in such a way! I am thankful for every opportunity Hashem offers me to learn something else about His ways and about myself. I have to admit that I have stinking thinking when it comes to Muslims and some other groups of people. (Don't get me wrong. I have no fondness or kind words for terrorists, murderers, and the likes of that kind of Muslims.)

When I looked at and listened to this young, beautiful, Persian, girl I saw that she is no different from my own daughters and nieces. She has dreams and hopes for her future. She loves her parents. She wants to live in peace with people. And she was interested in what I had to say to her.

We agreed to stay in touch via emails, and I now consider her to be a friend.

I thought that sharing Shabbat with a Christian and a Muslim might be just about as far out there as things would ever get. But then, last Shabbat I had a Budhist sitting at my table with my family.

G-d does still have a few tricks up his sleeve I think.

Sunday French Toast Recipe

This is a great way to serve a loaf of left-over challah after Shabbat. Try it. You'll like it!

Ingredients:
6 medium eggs
1 1/2 cups milk (or half and half)
1 tsp vanilla
1 TBLS honey
1 tsp grated orange zest
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
1 large loaf challah, or any other bread that you like

1 TBLS butter
1 TBLS extra virgin olive oil or vegetable oil

Powdered sugar in sifter shaker
Maple syrup
Honey
Jam or jelly, any flavor


Preparation:

Cut challah into 3/4" slices, set aside

Crack the eggs into a bowl and mix with a fork or whisk until blended.

Add the milk to the eggs and mix.

Stir in other ingredients and mix.

Pour into an oblong casserole dish.

Place slices of bread into the egg mixture for 3-4 minutes to soak up the liquid. Turn each slice over for aproximately a minute while heating the butter and oil on a griddle or in a skillet.

When it is hot, place the egg soaked challah slices on the griddle and cook on medium heat until golden brown. Turn each slice over and brown on the other side.

Remove from griddle and place on an oven safe plate and put in the oven (set to low or warm) while you cook the remainder of sliced challah.

When ready to serve, sprinkle powdered sugar on each slice.
Serve with syrup, honey, jam, or with only the powdered sugar. Yummy with coffee.

The Weekend Is Here!

Each of us has experienced another week of living on planet earth. Now we will enjoy what in America we call The Weekend. It is what most people look forward to all week. TGIF is a popular saying that we have all heard many times. (Thank G-d it is Friday!)

This week has held many different kinds of experiences for us, the inhabitants of earth. Some have been blessed to hold down a job, have the health and ability to get up each morning and do work in exchange for money to buy the things we need and want.

Others have been blessed to have been able to stay in their homes and take care of loved ones: children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, or others who need to be cared for lovingly. This type of work is so important and provides many benefits, but money is not one of them.

Then there are those who have a job but were sick and could not go to work. Some had car problems or accidents, leaving them without a ride to work.

Some have moved to new houses or different countries.

There were people who lost loved ones or friends to death, distance, or estrangement.

We have laughed. We have cried. We have been tired and cranky. We have been kind - or not so kind. Some got married. Others divorced. Some had a new baby. Some had children graduate from school.

Some have achieved goals that they had set. Others may still be moving towards their goals or setting new or different goals.

But no matter how the week went for us, we have now reached the weekend, and will have two days to spend resting, playing, being with people who make us happy, reading, playing games, or doing the other things that make our lives pleasant. (I do realize that there are some of us who work on the weekend, and have time off on other days of the week.)

Wherever you are this weekend, whatever you are doing, just know that I am thankful that you are in my life. Whether I see you every day, or have not seen you for many years, whether we have never met face to face, but are Face Book Friends, whether you live near to me or far far away, I hope for you a peaceful and joyful weekend.

I want to give you the same blessing I give to my children and grandchildren every Friday night...

May G-d bless and keep you.
May He make His face to shine upon you.
May He give you peace.

Shabbat Shalom!

Until next time...

Darla

Shabbat For One

Non-Jews are capable of reaching the same spiritual heights as Jews. Adam, Shem, Eiver, Chanoch, Noach, and Avraham were all non-Jews - yet, all of them were able to achieve high levels of closeness to G-d.

In last week's parsah (Acharei Mot and Kedoshim/Vayikra 18:5) we read the following verse: "And you shall guard my chukim (decrees) and my mishpatim (laws). You shall carry them out and live by them. I am Hashem."

Does this verse apply strictly to Jews?

R' Meir says: "How do we know that even a non-Jew who involves himself in the study of Torah and keeps the commandments is equal to a Kohen Gadol (High Priest) and by so doing shall live?"

"Greater is the man who does mitzvot in which he is obligated than one who does them without being obligated." Rabbi Chanina -Bava Kama 38a

The gemara uses the generic word man (adam) and does not say, "Kohanim, Levites, and Israelites" so we learn that this refers to any person - not only a Jew.

There is a longstanding debate in Judaism whether this gemara refers to a non-Jew who observes only the seven commandments required of the descendants of Noah, or one who observes all the commandments of the Torah.

What is meant by "shall live"? Rashi's interpretation on this text is: "In the hereafter; for if you say it means in this world, ultimately everyone dies. So it means that a person who upholds the commandments of the Torah enjoys the hereafter; his reward is in the World to Come." or as Maimonides said: "All who improve themselves and their souls in their attributes, knowledge, and faith in the Creator, blessed be He, are among those sharing in the World to Come, including the gentile."

Torah is a teaching of life, a system that cares for the well-being of each and every individual - both Jews and non- Jews. It is a Tree of Life for those who adhere to it.

Shemot/Exodus 20:8 says - "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."

This is one of the commandments given to Jews. It is not one of the Noahide commandments. This does not mean it is ONLY for Jews.

Rabbi Yoel Schwartz of the Jerusalem Court for Bnei Noach, says,

"There are those who say that every Ger Toshav (a non-Jew living in Eretz Yisrael in the time of the Jewish Temple, who has formally accepted the obligation to observe the Noahide laws in front of a Jewish court) has to uphold and keep the Sabbath. (Rashi, Kritot 9, Yevamot 40) There is room to suggest that the Noahides, even nowadays, by accepting to fulfill the seven commandments, are in the same category as a Ger Toshav and should, according to Rashi, be required or at least allowed to keep the Shabbat.

A Noahide should not observe the Shabbat in the manner that a Jew does. A Noahide should not give occasion for a Jew to break the Shabbat."

Rabbi Schlomo Carlbach taught: "Shabbat will always exist, even if there be no Jew to observe it, because on Shabbat something happens to the world, G-d opens the gates, and something so holy comes from heaven down to us, and all we have to do is pick it up.
The Zohar asks, 'how did Noah have the strength to resist a world that was rotten to the core? When everyone around him seemed perverted and crazy, Noah and his family held out alone, right? Where did he get the strength from?
Well, the name Noah is the same as the Hebrew word for rest. The Zohar says that Noah wanted to serve G-d. Noah wanted to keep Shabbat. Since nobody else picked up the power that came down from heaven, Noah and his family could take it all! And that’s how he had the strength to resist the world. He had the power of the world in his bones.
So, every Shabbat, imagine if you would pick up from the world the power of heaven. Imagine how much strength you would get, how much holiness you could put in your bones."

The Gerrer Rebbe, the Pinei Menachem, writes that "Shabbos elevates everything in the world to the upper worlds, and like the gemara (Shabbos 118b) states, even one who worshipped idols like in the days of Enosh, if he observes Shabbos, his sins will be forgiven."

Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, the Arizal, composed the following: "Yemina usmala uveinaihu kallah bikushitin azla umanin ulevushin, three preceding days to the right and three succeeding days to the left – and amid them the Shabbos bride. With adornments she goes, vessels and robes."

This passage teaches us that Shabbat is the center of human life. One should always be focused on preparing for Shabbat. In a similar vein, one should always be preparing oneself in this world for the World to Come, as Shabbat is a semblance of the World to Come.

I love Shabbat. It is my favorite time of the week. It is a time I spend with my family. It is a day I don't go out into the world to buy groceries, run errands, pay bills, or rush around until I am exhausted. It is a day I focus on G-d and His Torah and how I can make the world a little better by my being here.

It is a day that I can recharge my batteries. It is a day that I actually enjoy going outside and walking around the neighborhood. It is a day that I don't feel guilty if I spend extra money on desserts and special flavored coffee. It is a day that taking a nap is ok and does not upset my schedule.

I have been "keeping Shabbat" for close to 10 years. Do I do it "right"? Not even close. The rabbis don't need to worry about that! But I try my best to do things that elevate the day to a higher level of holiness in my life and in our home. It is a special day for me.

Some weekends my husband and I are both at home. Some weekends we are at our lake cottage. On other weekends some or all of our children and grandchildren are with us either at home or at the cottage. Sometimes I am at home alone while Lance goes fishing.

Last Shabbat I stayed at home while Lance was at the cottage with friends. I had a nice, quiet Shabbat alone. I took some pictures to share in hopes that it will encourage someone who feels he/she can't observe Shabbat without a community.

I admit that I prefer to be with other people on Shabbat. But Shabbat is a gift from Hashem for anyone who wants to accept it. It is personal. So whether there is one person in your house celebrating Shabbat, or a large group of family members and friends, each person can do something to elevate the day. Eat special food. Use special dishes. Wear something new or special.

Be creative! Enjoy the many blessings of Shabbat!!!

**************************************************



I didn't want to make big loaves of challah so I used a secret "recipe" I learned from my daughter-in-law. I purchased some frozen rolls and defrosted six of them.


I rolled out the defrosted dough into ropes.



I braided the ropes together.



Then I put egg wash and sesame seeds on each loaf, let them rise, and baked them.


My youngest grandson knows it is almost Shabbat each week when he smells the challah baking in the oven. Even though none of my grandchildren were with me this time, I enjoyed remembering other weeks when we were together for the celebration.



The Imrei Emes quotes the Heilege Ishbizter who said, "fish is eaten before any other food on Shabbos because fish symbolizes life. The first specie that HaShem created was fish and fish are not dominated by the evil eye."

I follow the Jewish custom of eating fish on Shabbat. I would not eat the fish in jars for several years because I think it looks disgusting and gross. But at a Passover seder a couple of years ago the hostess served it. Because I could not avoid eating some I tried a tiny tiny taste - much like a two year old would.

To my surprise I liked it very much, and have since introduced it to my family, who has also overcome their aversion to "fish in a jar covered by slime".


I prepared a beautiful green salad and used my favorite dressing. I had planned to have matzah ball soup, but forgot to start making it in time.


My entree was a frozen dinner from the organic section. After it was heated I put it on a pretty plate. Even a frozen dinner tastes good on Shabbat!


A glass of my favorite flavored tea was naturally required in honor of the special celebration.


A pretty pink wine glass for kiddush...


Lighting candles...



Saying the blessings, then it was time to eat.




After eating dinner and spending some time reading one of my favorite books there was time for dessert and coffee before going to bed. I found some tiny little kosher chocolate cupcakes and tiny little kosher ice cream cartons and knew it was meant to be. Delicious, is how I would describe my special little dessert!


It was then time to get some sleep. So off to bed I went. On Sabbath day I enjoyed the entire day relaxing, reading, napping, and playing in the backyard with my dog, Haley. (*This picture was not taken on Shabbat day but it was the only picture of Haley that I could find.)