Breaking Matzo Launches New App

INTRODUCING THE NEW BREAKING MATZO APP!

We are so excited to announce our new App for the Breaking Matzo community, created in partnership with Photo Butler!
> Download the App – iOS
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Enjoy all these great features:

SHOW FRIENDS AND FAMILY SOME LOVE WITH A CUSTOM VIDEO GREETING


Share our fun video greetings using your own photos. Try Hunt for the Afikoman (see it in action below!) or Passover Seder Plate to start! We’ll be adding new greetings throughout the year so be sure to check back often.

CREATE AND SHARE PHOTOS PRIVATELY AND IN REAL-TIME, FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
This revolutionary feature may change your life! Planning an in-person or virtual event where everyone will be taking photos? Create a Photo Album, invite friends & family to join and voilà, everyone’s photos will automagically upload to ONE photo album. Try it for Passover, Graduations, Birthdays and Bar & Bat Mitzvahs. It’s truly amazing!

ENJOY OUR ORIGINAL CONTENT
It’s just a tap or two to the Breaking Matzo content you’ve come to know and love – recipes, fun projects and inspiring articles.

We hope you enjoy the App as much as we’ve enjoyed creating it for you. This is a Beta release and we would like to hear your feedback. Please send your comments to photos@breakingmatzo.com. Thank you!

> Download the App – iOS
> Download the App – Android

Here’s an example of one of our Video Greetings in action! Add your own photos and send to friends from the App! 

 

Joyous Lessons of Celebration from the Kabbalah

The following three parables discuss the importance of finding meaning and experiencing joy during the celebration of Jewish holidays. The first parable discusses the value in making Shabbat joyous, celebratory and community-oriented. The second parable highlights the significance of recognizing the Torah as a source of blessing, a basis for all celebrations, and a framework for connections and the creation of joy. The final parable helps us appreciate the unwavering relevance of the story of Passover: starting with Moses and continuing today. By understanding the significance behind the holiday, you can make your own Seder unique, meaningful, personal. Nevertheless, by maintaining the true meaning of the occasion, even Moses would recognize the value in your celebration today.

Each of these three parables instructs us to find the joy in celebrations. Shabbat encourages us to seek out joy, celebration, and human connection. Torah, on the other hand, is the music to be played and shared with others in a non-linear manner – integrated in daily life. Finally, Moses and the story of Passover show us how to make meaning in our daily lives by continuously moving forward on your journey. Shabbat, Torah, and Passover are intended to be living tools to incorporate in your every day life.

Learning from The Baal Shem’s Dream

“The Baal Shem’s Dream” is a lesson in both discipline and relaxation. It demonstrates how, with the right balance of both, one can find peace and satisfaction. Please see the below passages from “The Baal Shem’s Dream,” followed by our interpretation of its message.

The Baal Shem’s Dream:

The Sadigurer Hasid, Reb Leibush Istriker, related the following legend, while seated at the communal third meal of the Sabbath:

When the Besht was still seeking the proper way to serve the Lord, he found that the observance of the Sabbath according to the injunctions of the later Rabbis practically prohibited any movement, and filled a man with anxiety lest he transgress some strict regulation. He believed that this contradicted the command of Isaiah to ‘call the Sabbath a delight’ (Isaiah 58:13). He pondered on this for a long time, and in the night he had a dream:

An Angel took him up to Heaven and showed him two vacant chairs in the highest place in Paradise, brilliantly illuminated, as if with vari-colored gems. ‘For whom are these intended?’ he asked. ‘For thee,’ was the answer, ‘if thou makest use of thy intelligence; and also for a man whose name and residence I am writing down for thee.”

He was next taken to Gehenna at its deepest spot, and shown two vacant seats, burning with hellish flame. ‘For whom are these intended?’ he asked. ‘For thee,’ was the answer, ‘if thou makest no use of thy intelligence; and also for a man whose name and residence I am writing down for thee.”

In this dream the Besht visited the man who was to be his companion in Paradise. He found him living among non-Jews, ignorant of Judaism, except that on the Sabbath he gave a banquet for his non-Jewish friends, wherein he greatly rejoiced.

“Why do you hold this banquet?’ he asked the Besht. ‘I know not,’ replied the man, ‘but I recall that in my youth, my parents prepared admirable meals on Saturday, and sang many songs; hence I do the same.’ The Besht wished to instruct him in Judaism, inasmuch as he had been born a Jew. But the power of speech left him for the moment, since he realized that the man’s joy in the Sabbath for be marred if he knew all his shortcomings in the performance of the religious duties.

The Besht then departed, in his dream, to the place where his companion in Gehenna dwelt. He found the man to be a strict observer of Judaism, always in anxiety lest his conduct was not correct, and passing the entire Sabbath day as if he were sitting on hot coals. The Besht wished to rebuke him, but once more the power of speech was taken away from him, since he realized that the man would never understand that he was doing wrong.

Thereupon the Besht meditated on the whole matter, and evolved his new system of observance, whereby God is served in joy which comes from the heart.

Fun Rebe’s Hauf, by I. Ewen; New York, 1922; Yiddish.

The Baal Shem Tov’s dream teaches us an important lesson about life . In order to maximize the joys of life, one must understand the reasoning behind them. At the same time, if you are too focused on the rules, you fail to enjoy the celebrations. This is similar to the concept of the four species of Sukkot. The Hadas has a good fragrance, but no taste, representing a person who does good deeds, but doesn’t study the Torah. The Lulav has a good taste, but no smell, representing a person who studies Torah, but does not perform good deeds. The Aravah has neither taste nor smell, representing a person who does not study Torah nor perform good deeds. The Etrog has a good taste and a good fragrance, representing a person who studies the Torah and performs good deeds. We should strive to be like the Etrog – engaging in our studies, without letting the details ruin the mitzvot.

In the above story, when the Besht’s “companion in Paradise” is asked why he holds his banquet, he is left without an answer. The only explanation he can give is that in his youth, his parents did the same. While the meaning behind this tradition didn’t say with him in his adulthood, the sentiment did. As such, he became a consistent host of Shabbat dinners, not knowing the years of tradition and history behind his actions. This dinners were purely a matter of joy and celebration. The Besht knew that, should he learn about the formal requirements behind a Shabbat dinner, the sentiment would be marred.

On the other hand, when “his companion in Gehenna” is so strict in his adherence to the rules and requirements of Shabbat that he is filled with constant anxiety. His entire Shabbat was spent in fear of breaking a rule, and the intended sentiment of the occasion was lost on him. The Besht wished to explain this shortcoming, but knew that doing so would be meaningless to the man.

Oneg shabbat – to enter in the joy of shabbat

In reality, the most meaning can be found from a combination of the perspectives of the two men described in the story. Being aware of the purpose behind your actions can make them more meaningful, but being too aware of these regulations can distract from the moment itself.

Hearing

I heard the following parable from my grandfather [the Baal Shem Tov]:

A musician was once playing the most beautiful melody, with a wondrous rhythm and all the sweetness in the world. All who heard him were captivated by the sweetness and joy of his melody, and they danced until they almost touched the ceiling.

The entire room was filled with great joy, rhythm and sweetness. The closer one came to the musician, the closer he would draw, having all the more pleasure and dancing all the higher.

In the middle of all this, a deaf man came along, and he could not hear the beautiful music at all. All he saw were people wildly dancing, and he thought that they were mad. His only thought was, “What kind of joy is this?”

If this deaf man were wise, he would have understood that something was motivating the people, and he could have deduced that a very beautiful melody was being played. If he could have understood this, then he too would have danced with them.

Rabbi Moshe Chaim Efraim of Sudylkov (1746-1790), Degel Machaneh Efraim, Yithro New York 1942, p. 69.

Spirituality is not meant to be experienced alone. If you were blind and heard music, but could not see the celebration, you are not exposed to the entire experience. In this story, the musician could be interpreted as a Rabbi, while the music is Torah. By definition, seeing is a chemical reaction of light particles going through your iris, refracting on the retina, and stimulating the optic nerve and sending signals to the brain. Understanding, however, involves mind, body, and spirit. We must see, hear, and feel with the heart in order to get the full picture. Historically, the Baal Shem Tov brought Kabbalah to the masses through stories, simple spiritual practices, and joyous celebrations. Many learned Jews were not interested in this newly amplified manner of celebration, yet Kabbalah gave this community a sense of active joy, celebration, and engagement. In this way they learned how to celebrate with the heart, rather than simply embracing the cerebral stimulation of the mind.

Moshe in Rabbi Akiva’s Beit Midrash

Rabbi Yehuda said in the name of Rav:

When Moshe went up to the heavens (at Mt. Sinai),

He found God sitting and fastening crownlets to the

Letters of the Torah.

He asked: Master of the universe, who is delaying

You (in this way the giving of the Torah)?

God responded: There will be a man who will live

Many generations from now whose name is Akiva

Son of Joseph, and he will derive heaps of laws from

Every jot and title.

Moshe said: Master of the universe, show him to me!

God replied: Turn around.

Moshe went and sat behind the eighth row of

Students (in Akiva’s Beit Midrash).

He did not understand what was being said.

Moshe felt faint.

But when the discussion reached a certain point,

Rabbi Akiva’s students asked: “Rabbi, what is the

Source of the authority of these teachings?”

Rabbi Akiva replied: Halacha L’Moshe miSinai, This is

Law given to Moshe at Sinai.

Moshe’s mind settled.

Moshe returned to God and said:

Lord of the Universe, you have such a man (as Akiva)

And yet you give the Torah through me?

God replied: Be silent: Thus have I decided.

A meaningful life comes from continued learning. In this story, it seems as if Moses is the student in the back of the class – not understanding or grasping the concepts being taught. As the meaning becomes more apparent, however, he agreed and connected with the spirit. Learning has no end point. You can always learn more. As you are confronted with new ideas, you’ll slowly begin to absorb more knowledge and understand them more. There’s an elasticity of Moses’ teachings that allow them to have meaning today. We can learn from his experience by continuing to study, question, and learn. The guy sitting on hot coals at Shabbat is the one who can’t move forward. He has detached himself from the moment and the meaning of the occasion is no longer present in his actions, thoughts, and behaviors. The one who hears the music and celebrates is the one who grows the most. He allows himself to make mistakes, hear new information, and grow through learning. If you push a snowball off a mountain, it will continue to get bigger as it travels down. As people, we have the opportunity to gain more and more knowledge throughout the course of our lives. All greatness gets greater when others take part in it. Drawing on the experiences, knowledge, and values of others can help us learn more about ourselves, the people we interact with, and the world we live in. Rabbi Akiva could not have done it without Moses, and we could not be doing it without Rabbi Akiva.

Each of these three parables instructs us to find the joy in celebrations. Shabbat encourages us to seek out joy, celebration, and human connection. Torah, on the other hand, is the music to be played and shared with others in a non-linear manner – integrated in daily life. Finally, Moses and the story of Passover show us how to make meaning in our daily lives by continuously moving forward on your journey. Shabbat, Torah, and Passover are intended to be living tools to incorporate in your every day life.

 

Serendipity and Synchronicity

Serendipity and synchronicity are two often-mistaken, yet importantly distinct terms.

Serendipity is defined as an unsolicited, unintentional, and/or unforeseen, yet fortunate realization or learning experience that happens by chance. Furthermore, it can be described as a combination of events which, when they occur separately are not advantageous or helpful, but when they occur together, produce a favorable outcome.

Synchronicity, on the other hand, refers to coincidences that appear to be meaningfully connected, as a result of the force of “the universe.” The term was defined by Carl Jung, an analytical psychologist, who described synchronicity as a “meaningful coincidence of two or more events where something other than the probability of chance is involved.

Serendipity involves two separate occurrences which may or may not have taken a lot of gestation period. When these two separate events are unified, the subsequent impact is of a relatively short order.  For example, unexpectedly finding a $5 bill in your pocket and buying a candy bar.

Synchronicity, however, involves two separate events or parties with a meaningful gestation period and when combined, dramatically alter the path forward by opening an entirely new set of outcomes. For example, one day, you meet someone you’re romantically interested in and discover that their phone password is identical to yours… and it helps forge an entirely new depth and sustained relationship! The resulting impact is long and sustained.

Examples of synchronicity in the story of Joseph can be found in the following Torah portions:

Genesis 28:10

Jacob left Beer-Sheba and set out for Haran. Jacob encountered the place and had a dream. This passage involves three key elements of synchronicity

The three phrases are as follows:

וַיֵּצֵ֥א יַעֲקֹ֖ב מִבְּאֵ֣ר שָׁ֑בַע וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ חָרָֽנָה

vayetse yaakov mi be’er sheva vayeilech charanah

Jacob left Beer-sheba, and set out for Haran (Gen 28:10)

Then, the following line reads:

“and Jacob encountered the place”

וַיִּפְגַּ֨ע – vayifga

Vayetse jaocov – Jacob exited Beer-Sheba

Here, the verb and concept of “vayetse” comes from the root of “to sprout forth.” In other words, go forward and create new life or new path. This concept can be seen throughout the story of Abram (Geneiss 12) when he goes forth from Haran to the land of Canaan. We see it again, in Exodus, when the Children of Israel go forth from Mitzraim (Egypt), through the wilderness and eventually to the promised land

“Yetziat mitzrayim,” the “exit” or “exodus” from Egypt (or “sprouting forth from Egypt”) is mentioned in several passages, including Deut 16:3 and Numbers 15:41. It is also included in the phrase that we say during the end of the Kiddush for Shabbat: “zecher l’tziat mitzrayim,” “a remembrance of the exodus of Egypt.” The Kiddush also reflects this concept of sprouting forth: from the kiddush, we leave the week behind and enter the sanctity of Shabbat. Each of these examples represent sacred transitions.

The word “Haran” literally translates to “crossroads.” The idea that is referenced in the stories of Abram and Jacob is that of coming to the crossroad. Their pivotal moments occur at a crossroads where they must identify and choose a new path in their lives.

Vayifga, the first word in the 24th weekly Torah portion, translates to “encounter,” but often references a meaningful interaction between two parties or two entities (with agency) coming together. In this sense, if Jacob had simply arrived to a place, we would say he “came” or “settled.” Instead, in this passage, Jacob “encountered” the space – noting a meaningful interaction. Jacob and the place are both entities with agency, moving towards each other.

The combination of these three phrases – “Haran/crossroads” “Vayetse/go forth,” and “Vayifga/encounter,”– come together dynamically during Jacob’s famed Ladder Dream. During this dream, God and angels promise Jacob, and all of his descendants, the Land of Israel.  Later in his life, Jacob wrestles with an angel in the night, leading to a change in name from Jacob to Israel – “he who wrestles with God and survives.” This example of biblical synchronicity represents Jacob’s destiny unfolding in real time.

 

Nahshon: Faith, Fortitude, & Freedom

How far does your faith go?

Do you know who was the first to enter Sea of Reeds? Hint: it wasn’t Moses.

In their desperate escape from Pharaoh’s army, the Children of Israel made their way out of Egypt – only to be stopped by the seemingly uncrossable Sea of Reeds. With no solution in sight, many may have been inclined to give up. One individual, however, displayed his faith in G-d by walking straight up to the water. In a display of true divine intervention, the water parted and the Children of Israel escaped the harsh fate Pharaoh had in store for them. So who was this brave man? None other than Nahshon.

With so many incredible individuals mentioned throughout the Torah, it’s difficult to recognize them all. One such figure is Nahshon: a Judahite tribal leader in the Book of Numbers. The root of his name, “Nahshol,” translates to “stormy sea-waves,” foreshadowing what would become his most famous contribution to the Jewish people.

Nahshon has deep familial ties to the Jewish people. He was a descendent of Jacob, David, Solomon, and all the kings of the Kingdom of Judah, and is even mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus in the New Testament. Moses appointed Nahshon as prince and military commander of the Tribe of Judah and one of the leaders of the tribes of Israel.

The rabbis eulogize Nahshon as a most noble man – referencing his role as both a descendent and ancestor of great kings. His sister, Elisheba, married Aaron (Exodus 6:23), and the rabbis praised Aaron for selecting a wife with a noble brother – encouraging future Jews to do the same.

Most of us know the story of Exodus and the miraculous parting of the Sea of Reeds during the Israelite’s escape from Egypt. But how did this process occur? Did the sea immediately split upon the arrival of the Israelites? No, the Israelites reached the Sea of Reeds and wept in despair – sure their plan had been ruined.

Nahshon, however, remained hopeful. He plunged into the water, continuing until the tip of his nose was under water. It was only then that the sea parted. Without this illustration of faith in G-d’s divine power, who knows what would have happened to the Israelites at the edge of the water that day?

Later, all the princes of the different tribes had to bring an offering (Numbers 7:11). Moses, flustered, was unsure who to send first. All of Israel, however, pointed to Nahshon, saying “He sanctified the name of G-od by springing first into the Sea of Reeds; he is worthy to bring down the Shekhinah; therefore he shall be the first to bring the offering” (Num. R. xii. 26).

Gematria

In the Hebrew gematria, the numeric value of “Nahshon” is 414, the same as the value of Kaddish, meaning sanctification, and twice the value of Or, meaning light. Nahshon’s immense capacity for light enabled the Israelites to conquer the dark waters of the Sea of Reeds and the impending doom of Pharaoh’s army.

The (last Chabbad) Rebbe saw Nahshon’s heroic and brave endeavor as a call to action, saying:

“One fellow named Nahshon jumped into the sea, and caused the great miracle of the Splitting of the Sea. Technically, he was under no obligation to do so. But he knew that G‑d wanted Israel to move onward toward Sinai. So he did what he needed to do. There was a sea in his way. So he jumped into the sea and plowed on toward his goal … The lesson for all of us is that we must stay focused on our life’s mission, disregarding all obstacles.”

Further Reading:

The following is the account given by the Talmud and Midrash regarding Nahshon’s role at the Sea of Reeds:

When Israel stood facing the Sea of Reeds, and the command was given to move forward, each of the tribes hesitated, saying, “We do not want to be the first to jump into the sea.”

Nahshon saw what was happening—and jumped into the sea.

At that moment Moses was standing and praying. Gd said to him, “My beloved ones are drowning in the stormy seas, and you are standing and praying?”

Moses replied, “Master of the world, what am I to do?”

Said Gd, “You lift your staff and spread your hand over the seas, which will split, and Israel will come into the sea upon dry land.”

And so it was. Following Nahshon’s lead, the Israelites entered the sea and were saved.

 

 

 

 

Weaving a Tapestry

How does structure give your life freedom?  How do you balance chaos and order?

During a meditation trip to Bhutan, I couldn’t help but notice the conflict and coordination that exists between chaos and order.

When I was younger, I thought that order and chaos were diametrically opposite. But, as I have grown, I’ve learned the beautiful integration of order and chaos and how they can come together to form harmony and happiness. While structure gives you the freedom to operate, when a certain amount of chaos is thrown in the mix, it devolves into creativity.

When I was younger, my mom (of blessed memory) often faced chaos in her life. For instance, she’d cook a delicious dinner, only to find chaos in the kitchen: dirty dishes, used utensils, and melting butter left on the counter for days. My mom’s driving was terrible, and, as a result of this, she got in many, many accidents. I also remember my mom’s ubiquitous knitting bags. Even though she was creating beautiful works of craftsmanship, I’d constantly find yarn and knitting needles at every turn. In spite of the seaming chaos, my time with my mom was always full of love.

I lived my early life attempting to create a stable and structured framework so as to foster a sense of order. I knew that too much freedom can lead to chaos, but if it exists within a structured framework, it can lead to harmony. In an attempt to mitigate the inevitable chaos of life, I have tried to create a structure through which freedom can operate and harmony can emerge.

On my trip to Bhutan, I watched a Bhutanese woman weave the tapestry shown in this photo, and what I instantly noticed was the existence of a framework.

Each tapestry begins the same — simple straights and empty space full of opportunity. Straights and crosses. The plain white string strung top to bottom. On a loom, the straights make up the entirety of the structure.

Then, little by little, step by step, the crosses come together to create content. The beautiful colors of the thread weave across the straight to reveal a pattern.

Straights function as structure.

Crosses create the interest.

If a tapestry were made up of only straights, it would provide no interest. It would remain boring, plain, and simple.

If a tapestry were made up of only crosses, its beauty would be ephemeral and devoid of structure. Therefore, it would fall apart.

It was this epiphany that helped me recognize appreciate the harmony of chaos and order. When Chaos and order clash, chaos wins. When woven together, however, harmony emerges. A tapestry, such as the one shown above, can transport you, like a magic carpet, to a new time or place. The collaboration between the crosses and straights creates a beautiful representation of creativity.

In Judaism, there is a mystical tradition which discusses how chaotic energies can be woven together in a way that is productive, creative, and generative, rather than destructive. This concept is even alluded to at the very beginning of the Torah, when in Genesis 1 the creation of the universe is described as having come from chaos (“tohu” / תוֹהוּ). Order (also known as “tikkun”/ תִּקּוּן in Kabbalah)  then appears once light is created when God first declares: “Let there be light.” Upon this proclamation, order and chaos come together in a harmonious bond.

Just as order and chaos fused together to create the universe, the same process occurs, on a much smaller scale, in our own minds. In Hebrew, the verb to think (chashav) is derived from the root of “to weave.” Thus, in the biblical imagination, “thinking” is synonymous with “weaving.” When we devote time to thoughtful reflections, we allow ourselves to weave together the chaos and order of everyday life.

May you find the appropriate levels of chaos and order, create the balance necessary for freedom, and experience the joy of harmony.

Parenting: The Magic of the Anchor, the Feather, and the Bamboo

As a parent, what really matters?

One summer, I was with a friend who had just become a father. I texted my daughter: “My friend just became a first-time father and now has a one-month old daughter. What advice would you give him?”

Within four minutes, my daughter texted me back.

“Make fun shaped pancakes. Baby jogger. Red light / green light learn how to walk down the street.”

I was filled with joy when I read my daughter’s text, because it perfectly summed up my personal philosophy of being a father. In general, I always tell parents they don’t have to spend 100% of their time with their children, but, when they are with them, to be 100% available. Now, I want to echo those philosophies to you. They go as follows:

  1. Make Fun Shaped Pancakes
    • Make it magical, not clinical.
  2. Baby Jogger
    • Float like a feather.
  3. Red Light / Green Light – learn how to walk down the street
    • Be like an anchor.
  4. Don’t bend like bamboo, or else you’ll break.

Make Fun Shaped Pancakes / Make it magical, not clinical

My daughter, Lucy, suggested my friend make “fun shaped pancakes.” When she was growing up, I never simply made regular circular pancakes for my kids. Instead, I’d fill an empty ketchup bottle with pancake batter, squeeze the bottle onto the pan, and “write” the letters of their names or create fun shapes in the form of pancakes. This little bit of extra effort I put into an otherwise mundane activity really did not take much more time, but certainly made breakfast a lot more fun!

When my kids were young, I always looked for opportunities to turn an ordinary thing into an extraordinary thing. In other words, I looked for a way to make life magical, rather than clinical. One of my favorite activities during which to apply this philosophy was during meal-making. In addition to my fun pancakes, I’d always cut hot dogs in different shapes and decorate the plate in ketchup-art. Furthermore, I always involved my kids while I was cooking and looked for roles that would be safe, appropriate, and accessible for kids. For example, I asked them to pour pre-measured ingredients into a mixing bowl. By doing this, I gave them personal agency and responsibility, which made them feel respected. Additionally, by showing them how to make mundane activities into fun ones, I illustrated to them the importance of making every moment a little extra magical.

Breaking Matzo is based on making Jewish Home Holidays Magical, Meaningful, and Memorable so that people of all ages and backgrounds can come together in celebration. In particular, I have always tried to make the Jewish holidays accessible, exciting, and engaging for young children so they can have a role in traditions from a young age.

Baby Jogger / Float like a feather

Lucy also recommended my friend take his children out in a “baby jogger.” When she was younger, and the weather permitted it, I would take Lucy and Caroline outside in a baby jogger for a weekend adventure, getting my exercise in while they enjoyed the sights of the park. I had no schedule or route; I simply allowed them to direct me. We would run along the Charles River, explore the playground, sing their favorite songs, and their favorite snacks: goldfish, Oreos, and fruit. We always had a great time.

I call this child-led time “floating like a feather.” In this sense, I recommend acting like a feather and going wherever the wind blows you. Be open to every possibility. Life can be full of strict scheduling and rigid plans, so I tried to make sure my playtime with my children was easy going and free flowing.

Red Light , Green Light  – Learn how to walk down the street / Be like an anchor

Like every parent, I was always concerned with the safety of my children – especially when they were younger and didn’t realize the risks of everyday activities, like running into traffic. To prevent them from doing this, I utilized the “red light, green light” game. From a young age, my kids knew that when I said “red light,” they had to immediately stop.  Our home was four blocks from the neighborhood playground, so we always use this safety protocol.  This way, when we were walking through the busy streets of Boston, I knew I had some control over their movements. Then, when I said “green light,” they knew they were safe to go ahead. To this day, my daughters will instantly stop upon hearing me say “red light.” In this way, acting as an anchor kept my kids safe throughout their childhood.

Don’t bend like bamboo, or else you’ll break.

Bamboo is an incredibly flexible plant. As the wind bends it back and forth, it refuses to break. This ability to adapt to any circumstance, no matter how tumultuous, is an awesome symbol of resilience. The bamboo plant can literally bounce back from anything. People, however, are not bamboo; and in parenting, while a little bending is warranted, too much can make you break.

As a parent, especially as your children get older, it can be important to explain the reasoning behind your rules and decisions. But, if you “break” every time your child asks you to change your stance, they won’t respect your judgement. If you vacillate in every request and allow every rule to become a negotiation, you’ll tire yourself out and break.

I wanted to take the opportunity of this blog to share some learnings I’ve obtained from being a father to my two daughters, inspired by a simple text from my daughter Lucy. I hope these mantras will make your parenting experience a little easier and a little more rewarding.

Biblical Connections:

Being a good parent means having faith in God and faith in your children. The following are some examples from Hannah and Abraham.

 “And she made this vow: “O LORD of Hosts, if You will look upon the suffering of Your maidservant and will remember me and not forget Your maidservant, and if You will grant Your maidservant a male child, I will dedicate him to the LORD for all the days of his life; and no razor shall ever touch his head'” (Samuel 1:11)

Here, we see how Hannah is willing to make any promise to G-d in order to be blessed with a child. Her sacrifice illustrates the immense, innate value of parenthood and the awesome responsibility it entails.

 

Ordinary to Extraordinary Lives: Shlomo Hillel

Shlomo Hillel was born on Aril 23rd 1923 in Baghdad, Iraq. His parents were Mizrahi Jews and he was the youngest of 11 children. In 1933, Iraqi soldiers massacred over 500 Christians in a nearby city. Shlomo’s father was fearful that the Jews would be next, so he moved the family to Tel Aviv, which was then part of Mandate Palestine.

Shlomo attended Hebrew University of Jerusalem where he studied economics and political science. From there he studied agriculture at several kibbutzs and then assisted the Hebrew Scouts in setting up their own kibbutz.

Shlomo joined the Haganah, a Jewish paramilitary organization in Mandate Palestine that would go on to become the bulk of the initial Israel Defense Force. He worked at a munitions factory that was cleverly camouflaged as a laundromat.

In 1946 Shlomo took part in Operation Michaelberg, an effort to bring Jews living into Iraq into modern day Israel. Shlomo lived undercover in Iraq for a year, spreading Zionist philosophy and laying the groundwork to safely transfer Jews out of the country. He then spearheaded the hiring of two pilots to smuggle a large number of Jews into Israel.

In 1948 Shlomo went to Iran disguised as a Frenchman. There he worked with a former French priest named Alexander Glasberg to get Jews from Europe into Israel. They would use bribes and connections to get Jews visas from France, then smuggle them past the Iranian border. They were able to shepherd over 10,000 Jews into Israel.

In 1950 the Iraqi government passed a law that allowed Jews to migrate out of the country during a one-year period. Shlomo traveled back to Iraq under the guise of a British man working for an American charter company. He was able to meet with the Iraqi prime minister and secure the exclusive rights to fly Jews out of Iraq. He used these rights to bring over 124,000 Jews from Iraq to Israel in what came to be known as Operation Ezra and Nehemiah.

In 1952 Shlomo married Temima Rosner. Together they had two children, one son and one daughter. That same year he ran for a seat on the second Knesset. He did not win, but he got a seat anyways as a replacement for a victorious candidate that died. He was re-elected to his position in 1955 but resigned in 1959.

After his time in the Knesset, Shlomo joined the foreign service where he served in a variety of diplomatic posts throughout the 1960s. These posts included being ambassador to a variety of African nations, serving as part of the Israeli delegation to the UN, and a stint as the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In 1969 Shlomo ran for the Knesset again and won a seat. From 1969 to 1977 he served as the Minister of Police and from 1974 to 1977 he was the Interior Minister. As part of his role as Interior Minister he oversaw Aliyah, the right for Jews around the world to immigrate to Israel. In 1977 he changed Israel’s immigration policy to allow Jews in Ethiopia to make Aliyah. This resulted in nearly 120,000 Ethiopian Jews moving to Israel. One of the immigrates that came to Israel thanks to Shlomo’s new policy was a young woman who would go on to marry his son.

In 1984 he was elected to serve as the Speaker for the Eleventh Knesset.  He would remain in the Knesset until he was defeated in an election in 1992. In 1988 he was awarded the coveted Israel Prize in honor of his contributions to the State of Israel and its people.

Shlomo Hillel died on February 8th, 2021.

You can read more about Shlomo Hillel’s extraordinary life here.

 

Music Makes Passover More Magical, Meaningful and Memorable

At Breaking Matzo, we often talk about the 3 M’s: Magical, Meaningful and Memorable as keys to an extraordinary holiday experience. There is a fourth M that you should consider when planning your next holiday celebration: Musical.

Song and dance add an element of joy and cheer to any occasion. Music can touch our hearts, stir our souls and stimulate our minds. The history of the Jewish people has long been suffused with music. Music helps us remember the past, helps inspires us for the future and helps us enjoy the present.

Since time immemorial music has played a central role in Jewish tradition. What bar/bat mitzvah would be complete without dancing the Horah? How many celebrations are made all the more joyous by the playing of Hava Nagila? How many smiles have been caused by the timeless tunes of Fiddler on the Roof?

Music is not just for celebration; it is an important part of Jewish worship as well. During synagogue services a great many of the prayers are not simply said, but sung. Different temples have their own unique melodies and cadences to the same prayer songs. Across the Jewish diaspora and through the centuries the Jewish people have weaved a kaleidoscopic tapestry of music steeped in culture and history.

Music has a particularly important association with Passover. In Exodus after the children of Israel escaped from the Egyptians through the parted sea and arrived safely on dry ground, Miriam took out her timbrel and led the Israelite women in song and dance to celebrate. This celebration resulted in the bitter water becoming sweet for the children of Israel to drink. The power of music serves to unite and sustain the Jewish people during their hardships, a theme that has carried on through the eons.

We are excited to bring to you a new and powerful way to experience the musical nature of Passover: Teiku!

Teiku is a musical collaboration created by Josh Harlow and Jonathan Barahal Taylor. In keeping with the theme of Passover, their music is organized thematically around liberation and deeply connected to their ancestral roots. Teiku performs creative music arrangements of unique family Passover melodies, setting them in a modern context dedicated to exploring texture and improvisation. Teiku features Jonathan Barahal Taylor (drums and arrangements), Josh Harlow (piano and arrangements), Peter Formanek (saxophone and clarinet) and John Lindberg (bass).

Josh Harlow is a talented composer, pianist, keyboardist and music teacher. He has collaborated with numerous musicians and is a part of  variety of musical groups including Teiku and the instrumental psychedelic band Submerser.

Josh grew up singing unique Passover melodies with his family at the seder table every year. His ancestors were Jewish-Ukrainians that had passed their holiday music through the generations and brought it across the Atlantic ocean with them. One day he was talking to his bandmate Jonathan Barahal Taylor about these songs. Jonathan explained that his family were also of Jewish-Ukrainian descent and they too had unique melodies they sang for Passover. They decided to research their ancestry and their family’s music. They were able to find their ancestral villages in modern-day Ukraine, but the songs were unique to their respective families.

Josh and Jonathan were so inspired by their families’ heritage and music that they decided to form a project to document, perform and breathe new life into these beautiful old melodies. They named the project Teiku, which means “Unanswered question” a symbol of how both musicians and Jews are always striving to learn and discover new things, combining old traditions with new ideas and concepts.

You can experience the magical, meaningful and memorable music of Teiku for yourself from the comfort of your own home. Teiku is hosting a live virtual spectacular to celebrate Passover on In Live. This one-of-a-kind performance will feature a mix of livestreamed music, music video, interviews, and dialogue to create an enriching and uplifting experience. This event has it all: beautiful music, inspiring history and spiritually fulfilling cultural content. There are opportunities for you to participate in the performance directly and possibly even sing with the band live!

This unique celebration of Jewish heritage, music, family and Passover traditions new and old is happening at 8:30PM (EST) on March 20th2021.

This blending of classic music with modern twists is a wonderful way to celebrate Passover together with the broader Jewish community during this time when we must be physically apart.

You can buy tickets to this remarkable event here.

You can learn more about Teiku here.

The Teiku live stream is powered by In.Live, a company focused on helping creators like Josh connect live with their communities worldwide. In.Live’s co-founder Eswar Priyadarshan is a 20-year friend and collaborator with Andy Goldfarb, through many personal and professional endeavors. Eswar is also a Breaking Matzo blog author  you can read his 2018 dispatch from Salonica, Greece here.

Abraham Accords Creates a New Format for Memorializing Holocaust Remembrance Day

International Holocaust Remembrance Day is held each year on January 27th. The holiday was created by the UN as a way to honor the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust and to spread awareness and education to ensure that such a horror never happens again.

The historic Abraham Accords peace deal created a new opportunity for memorializing the victims of the holocaust. On 2021’s Holocaust Remembrance Day a virtual gathering of over 100 young leaders from Israeli, Morocco, the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabi took place. Young leaders from all of the attending countries shared messages of love, understanding, and togetherness. Over 100 hands wrote “Never Again” in Arabic and Hebrew, a beacon shining the light of peace and hope for the future.

The highlight of the event was a talk given by Auschwitz survivor Vera Kriegel. She talked about her harrowing experiences living through the Holocaust and the nightmares she faced being experimented on by Dr. Mengele. Vera Kriegel’s story deeply affected and moved participants from across the world.

This historic gathering was organized by a group called The Gulf-Israel Centre for Social Entrepreneurship. The group was founded in response to the Abraham Accords and seeks to normalize relations and build dialogues between Israel and the other Abraham Accords nations. The participants in the Holocaust Remembrance Day zoom call were part of a trip to Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum that the group organized in December 2020.

One of The Gulf-Israel Centre for Social Entrepreneurship’s priorities in hosting events like this is to push for education about the Holocaust and antisemitism to be included as part of the standard school curriculum in Middle Eastern nations. Part of building ties with other countries is to understand each other’s history, culture, and struggles. With Holocaust denial and antisemitism on the rise, educating people about the horrors and prejudice the Jewish people have faced throughout history is more important now than ever before.

This historic and magnificent gathering is one of many steps in building a beautiful and lasting peace. Together we will never forget history as we blaze a path forward to a future full of light and love.

Further Reading:

You can watch a video about this incredible event here:

 

You can learn more about The Gulf-Israel Centre for Social Entrepreneurship their mission here.

 

Whiskey with a Chaser of History

People often put a lot of thought into what they eat, but it is rarer that they think about where they eat. Be it a beautiful view, a frequent family spot, or a historical landmark, eating in a special place can elevate the experience and make it more magical, meaningful, and memorable.

Once such place is The Whiskey Bar and Museum in Tel Aviv which combines the deep traditions and history connected to food and drink with the fascinating and complex history of the space the bar occupies. The bar boasts an impressive collection of over 1,000 whiskies and top-notch food to go with it. Even more savory than the bar’s superb offerings is the incredible tale of the building.

The Whiskey Bar and Museum is located inside the Templar Tunnel. The tunnel was built by the German Templars, a sect of German Protestants that were forced out of the Lutheran Church. These templars believed that they had to move to the Holy Land in order to bring about the second coming of Christ. These templars established an agricultural colony in the land that became modern day Tel Aviv. They constructed a variety of businesses and buildings including a winery. In 1871 the Templar Tunnel was constructed to store barrels of wine for said winery.

In the wake of World War I, the British occupied the holy land. Some of the Templars willingly left, the rest were eventually deported due to the Templar’s support for the Nazi party during World War II.

In 1947, the British government handed over control of the region to the Israeli government and the state of Israel was born. The Israeli government took possession of Tel Aviv’s Templar Tunnel. During the War of Independence, the Israeli military used the tunnel to reassemble deconstructed airplanes they had stolen from the British. Later the tunnels were given to the Mossad, Israeli’s intelligence agency, for use as a hideout. It was also used to build some of Israel’s first bank vaults. In 2009, the Israeli government sold the tunnels to be used for private business. For several years it was a wine bar before becoming the Whiskey Bar and Museum.

Much like the rye they serve, the bar itself has been carefully aged to perfection. Like whiskey absorbing flavor and color from the barrel it is stored in, the Whiskey Bar Museum has been elevated by the incredible events that have transpired there. The next time you find yourself in Tel Aviv be sure to stop by to enjoy a strong glass of history with some excellent whiskey on the side.

You can learn more about the Whiskey Bar and Museum here.