The following blog is written by Philip, (Fivel), a young, 24 year old man in my doc-in-progress, RETURN (TESHUVA) . Philip sent this blog from his prison for me, director Rhonda Moskowitz, to post. (I wrote to him to feel free to send me blogs.)
By Fivel Ben Avraham —
Hello again to my friends and welcome to this site. “First timers” hope that you enjoy and return, and faithful returnees, it’s good to have you come.
I’ve been in prison now for 5 months. Adjustment has been completed and now time is left. I have 58 more months left. (Well I guess I did a little better than Joseph.)
Galuth (exile). Exile is something that is hard to come to grips with when you truly realize the depth of your situation. Not only am I away from my family, Courtney (my Beshert), my two children, Elijah and Camden, but I’m away from my community, my heritage, and my people.
Out of 420 inmates at my current “residence,” I’m the only Jewish one. What type of service could I offer to my people in such galuth? The Talmudic sages say that “we were cast all over the world to spread “Ahavat Chesed” (Acts of Loving Kindness), and to bring the world closer to Redemption.
We as Jews have to set examples of how to live. In the Ethics of Fathers, (Chapter 2 Verse 5), Rabbi Hillel says, “In a place where there are no men, strive to be a man!” The very breath of our existence and the path to Olam Haba, (the World to Come), is loving God with all your heart, soul and might, and loving your fellow man as you love your self. (Deuteronomy Chapt. 6, Verse 4; Leviticus Chapt. 9, Verse 18)
So, how does this relate to my galuth? I believe I was exiled to not only find Hashem, (G-d), live righteously, and improve myself drastically, but also help others on the path of their own individual Teshuvahs (Return). We are all scattered to the four corners of the earth to rectify hate, depression and spiritual death. Only when we all strive with our entire beings to help our fellow man and live upright will our preceding prayer to the Shema be answered.
We are in the month of Elul. It’s time to study more, work on our vices and help-out more. So with that being said, may the Lord gather our dispersed from the four corners of the earth and grant each of us our portion in the wondrous land that He has bestowed upon us.
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