As I work on my Shabbat (Sabbath) dinner preparations my mind wanders…
It wanders to a far far away kitchen with a young Mother making her own Shabbat meal preparations last Friday - just a week ago. It was a routine that was quite familiar to her. Something she did every week.
I wonder: Was she peeling potatoes, as I am doing now? Were her children making pictures to decorate the house, or were they wiping finger prints off of - or on to - the book shelf where their holy books were resting? Were her beautiful dishes being handled oh, so carefully by the children as they set the Shabbat table? Was her chicken cooking in the oven and her pot of cholent (stew) simmering in the crock pot?
Did her own thoughts wander? “Will everyone get done with their tasks and jobs for the week in time to take baths and say prayers before we light candles and set down for dinner? I wonder if the children remembered to make their beds and polish their shoes? Did I remember to iron Abba‘s shirt for tomorrow?”
Just as my Friday is hectic today - hers too, was jam packed with so much to get accomplished before the days end last Friday. Even more so for her - with the children, their friends, and several neighbors who might stop in for a Shabbat visit (as they were in the habit of doing) to prepare for.
Yes, Friday is a busy day for me, and was for her too. But somehow things always plays out in exactly the right way - at exactly the right time. That’s part of the magic of Shabbat preparations.
And so it was, that day, last Friday, in that kitchen far far away. The meal in her home was perfectly cooked - and delicious. The children, well, the whole family, was extra happy. Adar II and all, a joyful time. And of course, everyone was looking forward to Purim, which added to the joy and excitement.
The Shabbat candles seemed to flicker - just a little brighter than normal. The music - the songs and chants - sounded just a little different for some reason. A little sweeter. A little lighter. It actually sounded like a choir of angels singing along with the family…
It was hard to say goodnight - lila tov - so everyone could get some sleep. It seemed that everyone wanted, no, needed, for the evening to continue for just a little longer.
But everyone finally said enough lila tov greetings, gave enough hugs and kisses, and finally said the bedtime Shema. And all was quiet in the house.
The baby and her Abba were snoring together on the bed. Ima was getting ready for a little much needed sleep. Big brother was reading - waiting up to talk to his sister about something if she would just hurry up and get home from the youth group meeting.
Poor middle brother had fallen asleep in the family room. He couldn’t even stay awake long enough to get in his bed. The other two little guys were sleeping peacefully in their beds.
All was quiet in the beautiful mountain village. As the Mother opened the bathroom door to join her sleeping husband and infant was she thinking, “What a wonderful place to raise Torah kids…"
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These were my thoughts this afternoon as I peeled potatoes, breaded chicken, and baked Purim cookies. And it is with gratitude to Ruth Fogel for her dedication to a Torah life that I will pay tribute to when I light my Shabbat candles in just a little while. I want to thank her for her strength and courage to live her life as a beautiful example of honoring Shabbat, Torah, and G-d.
I also want to pay tribute to Rabbi Udi for bringing light and joy to this world by his love for and dedication to a Torah life.
And finally, I want to remember the lives of their children who were taken out of the world at such young ages: Yoav, Elad, and baby Hadas.
May their blood be avenged, and may their memories always bring blessing to their surviving family and friends, and to all the world.
The world will be a little darker this Shabbat because their light was snuffed out by hatred. May we help to restore their light with our lighting candles tonight - and may the merit for doing so be theirs. May we spread Shabbat Shalom throughout the world by our own loving deeds, study of Torah, and giving Tzedakah (charity).
