Page 52 - HaMizrachi Sukkot 5784 North America

JEWS

with
VIEWS Rabbi A.Z. Efrat

Thau Metzler-

hen analyzing the annals of history, Porat
there are many great personalities
that I would like to meet. It is not
possible to choose one person to be his year, more than ever I would like to
Wmy guest that might be why there invite Miriam to my sukkah. The truth is,
We asked five are seven already! If I were to have a special meal I’m not the first one to consider Miriam
in my sukkah I would invite my grandfathers Dr.
as one of the seven Ushpizin. The Zohar
accomplished Barry Altman and Dr. Edwin C. Thau. The Torah T(Parashat Emor) brings that perhaps all
tells us in Devarim 32:7 ךָי ֶנ ֵק ְז ךָ ְד ֵגּ ַי ְו ךָי ִב ָא ל ַא ְשׁ
three siblings, Moshe, Aharon and Miriam should
ךְ ָל וּר ְמאֹי ְו, Ask your parent, who will inform you, be included due to three gifts Am Yisrael received
Jews from Your elders, who will tell you.” There are many in their merit: The Manna – from Moshe, the
things that I would like to ask and speak with
Clouds of Glory – from Aharon, and the well of
my grandfathers about. We see in the Torah in water – from Miriam.
around the several locations the significance of asking one’s the tzaddikim that will sit at the Great Seuda
The Zohar further mentions Miriam among
parents and even grandparents (Masechet Kid-
dushin 30a). Both from the emotional side as of the future and even sing there! For various
world: well as from the intellectual side, having them reasons however, (both mystical and halachic)
around would be an opportunity to never pass
Miriam was not included in the final seven, rather
Which figure up. There is one other great Jewish leader whom Yosef HaTzaddik received this honor.
Sukkot’s central theme revolves around
I would love to host: Yehoshua. Tasked with water, symbolized by the water libations we
would you bringing Am Yisrael into Eretz Yisrael and being offer to invoke divine kindness and mercy.
the leader after they had experienced Moshe
Miriam’s association with water, and her role
Rabbeinu for 40 years must have been a daunting as the protective older sister standing behind
invite to your task. Hearing his story would be worthwhile. her brother’s Ark, whispering reassuring words,
resonates deeply this year especially.
As Israel confronts challenges and disputes,
sukkah? my wish is for Miriam to visit our sukkah, gently
Rabbi Avraham Zvi (A.Z.) Thau is a native of West whispering, “everything is going to be alright,”
Hempstead, New York. He studied at Yeshivat offering us comfort and confidence.
Hakotel for 10 years, during which he made Aliyah,
completed the Hesder program in the IDF Shiryon
(Tank Corps) unit, served in several positions for the
overseas students, and worked as Jerusalem Chapter
Director of NCSY Israel. Rabbi Thau received his B.A. in
Business and Management from Jerusalem College
of Technology and his rabbinical ordination from
World Mizrachi. He and his family are beginning Efrat Metzler-Porat became the first female Deputy
their third year of shlichut in Toronto where he serves Director of World Bnei Akiva in 2021. She previously
as the Rosh Beit Midrash for Mizrachi Canada and a served as Director of World Bnei Akiva’s Bogrim
Ra”m in Yeshivat Or Chaim. Department and as Head of its European Desk.

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