The Lubavitcher Rebbe As Spiderman

I liked this quote recently posted by AIWAC:

“Miracle stories convert rabbis into poor imitations of Batman and Superman. At least those superheroes occasionally face challenges that demand courage and dedication. A rabbinic clapping of the hands takes neither.”
- Rabbi Yitzhak Blau, “Miracles And Morals: Choices In Educational Storytelling“

It just so happened that a new miracle story is making its way through the web. It may even be true! According to the tale told a few weeks ago a local Habad Rabbi named Eliyahu Kenterman gave the mother of Gilad Shalit a dollar he had received many years ago from the Lubavitcher Rebbe z"l. Gilad Shalit's mother kept the dollar and carried it everywhere in her purse. On the day when Gilad was released (20th of tishrei) she happened to look at the dollar and saw that on the dollar was written "Tuesday the 20th of Tishrei - May you have success at all your ventures!".

I've no idea if this story is true or not. There are enough details in the story (i.e the name of the rabbi, and using a still living personality) that the story can be checked up upon - and i'm sure in the coming days someone will. However what I am certain in, is that these kind of stories do not create any real belief in God. 

Gilad Shalit Biblical Reference..

There is a nice biblical quote that seems especially relevant this morning:

יז  וַיַּעֲשׂוּ כָל-הַקָּהָל הַשָּׁבִים מִן-הַשְּׁבִי סֻכּוֹת, וַיֵּשְׁבוּ בַסֻּכּוֹת--כִּי לֹא-עָשׂוּ מִימֵי יֵשׁוּעַ בִּן-נוּן כֵּן בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, עַד הַיּוֹם הַהוּא; וַתְּהִי שִׂמְחָה, גְּדוֹלָה מְאֹד.

17 And all the congregation of them that were come back out of the captivity made booths, and dwelt in the booths; for since the days of Joshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness. (Nechamia chap 8:17)

"The Captivity" mentioned is the Babylonian exile.


I think most people would agree that there should at this moment be a great gladness - even if like myself you doubt that were you the Prime Minister you would have agreed to this deal. At this point in time let us be happy for Gilad and his family, who's long ordeal will finally come to a close. 


I take my hat off to Netanyahu for having the courage to make such a harsh decision. 


P.S
I did originally write quite a long piece about the Sukkot described in Nechamia, but then some googling showed me that "Parshablog" had already written about it - and wrote it better than I did. I recommend you read his posts.