Aluma Ha’itan is the sister of Amichai Vanino, who fell in a heroic battle defending Kibbutz Kfar Aza on Simchat Torah. She wrote to me that I write a lot about blessings and good wishes, and that she wanted to share with me the impact that those things had on her life.
“When my brother Amichai was killed, I was still single. During the shiva, a friend of my mother came to console us. Before leaving, she gave the traditional parting blessing and then said: ‘Let’s meet on happier occasions.’ My friend’s mother had a son, Meir, who was also single, and so my mother replied: ‘Let’s meet at the wedding of Meir and of Aluma.’ My mother meant the wedding of each of them, but when Meir’s mother heard these words, it occurred to her that they could marry each other. One thing led to another and indeed, after several months, we were standing under the chuppah!”
Remembering Rav Ovadia Yosef on His 11th Yahrzeit
This week, on the third of Cheshvan, we marked the yahrzeit of Harav Ovadia Yosef—a man of towering influence and deep humility. I had the privilege of covering Rav Ovadia for years as a news anchor, witnessing firsthand the personal moments behind his public persona. Amid the cheers of vast crowds, few knew of the words he would whisper quietly to himself as he ascended the stage: “Ovadia, dust and ashes. Ovadia, dust and ashes.” It was a grounding reminder to himself to remain humble despite the fervent adulation around him.
With my own ears, I heard him tearfully exclaim, “Millions of Jewish children in Israel and around the world don’t know how to say Shema Yisrael!” It pained him deeply— he could never accept that so many Jewish children felt distant from their heritage.
I’ve already forgotten the turbulent political headlines from those years. But what I’ll never forget are those whispers and those tears.
The Greatest “Influencers”
As we begin reading the Torah portion of Lech Lecha in Sefer Bereishit, Avraham Avinu and Sarah Imeinu take their place on the world stage—a position they continue to hold. They introduced the world to justice, kindness, faith, and Torah, setting a profound example. Their journey leads in a clear direction—the Land of Israel—and they are given an eternal promise from God. Despite the many challenges ahead, God assures them they stand on the right side of history and that they will ultimately be a blessing for the entire world.
In today’s terms, “influencers” and “followers” are everywhere. If you think about it, Avraham and Sarah were among the greatest influencers in human history, with billions of followers. It all started in their modest tent and spread outward through their charisma, commitment to education, and their deep faith in God. Even today, we refer to Avraham and Sarah as our “father” and “mother.”
This year, more than ever, it’s important to remember the struggles they endured—famine, war, captivity, hostility, and infertility—as we face our own challenges. While we can’t click a “follow” button for Avraham and Sarah, we can still follow their example by reading about their lives. We can continue to draw strength from them and from the promise in this week’s parsha: “And all the families of the earth shall bless themselves by you.”
A Bereaved Father’s Message To a Nova Survivor
I witnessed the following inspiring scene this past Simchat Torah at an event organized by the Kesher Yehudi organization for bereaved families, families of hostages and about 100 survivors of the Nova festival. While everyone was dancing with the Torah, one young man sat on the side, trembling and looking down as he recalled the atrocities he had witnessed the year before, and his friends who had been killed or kidnapped while he fled for his life.
Eliyahu Libman, a bereaved father, sat down next to the young man. He took his hand and said, “Do you realize that exactly one year ago today, my Elyakim was rescuing people until he himself was murdered? It’s the first anniversary of his death. So, listen to me— today is his memorial day and also the day of your rescue. I ask that each year you not only remember those you have lost but also celebrate the miracle you experienced—that on this day you were given a new lease on life.”
The young man listened and stopped shaking. Libman continued: “But I also want to request something else. You tell me that for the entire year you’ve been tormented by the question of why your friends were killed and you survived. I want you to ask yourself a different question: Why am I still here? Because, if you survived, there must be a reason for it—there is more work for you to do in this world. So think: If you have been given another chance, how are you going to fill your days with purpose? Ask yourself: What am I doing with the tremendous gift that I received on that day?”
Remember: You Are Very Important!
Naama Neiman, mother of Aviad Neiman, a reserve soldier who fell in a heroic battle in Lebanon last week, gave the following message to the many mourners who came to comfort her family in Mitzpe Yericho:
“It’s remarkable how many people came to the funeral, that 5,000 others watched the funeral on YouTube, and that hundreds of people from all over the country have come to the shiva to console us.
“I want each one of you to consider how important you are. When you get up in the morning, remind yourself that you are a valuable member of the Jewish people. If we could only absorb this message, the Jewish people would soar to the greatest heights. We cannot begin to grasp how great the impact would be of believing: ‘I matter.’
“I don’t know if Aviad knew how much he mattered to other people, or how many people would miss him after he was gone. People have been telling me: ‘I want to be like Aviad,’ but we want to be a little bit like each one of you.
“And this is not only true after death. A tiny piece of God exists in each one of us.”
Translated by Yehoshua Siskin, Janine Muller Sherr*
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