Feeling tired........But Shabbos was beautiful.
I made my last two calls before Shabbos.... first to my parents and then to my in laws....to send them my love and extend my wishes to each for a beautiful Shabbos. Soon thereafter I received a last call before Shabbos .... from one of the great rabbinical gadol's of our time....I won't reveal his name out of deference to him......he called as he had the previous day......just hearing his sweet and soothing voice...."I think of you every day....Good Shabbos".......was stirring beyond words....what an elevated and holy hand up into Shabbos.
My sweet "Brothers of Pey Dalid" showed up soon after and we blew the roof off just like we planned.....sweet niggunim that many on the staff here at SK were still talking to me about today.... my niece Gabi sat in to listen on her visit with me as did our new friend Tova visiting her beloved father from her home in Yerushalim.... so pleased Tova that you felt "at home".
Ayshet Chayil....Boi V'Shalom....Heathen....Natural Mystic....Barchenu Avinu.....Natural Mystic.....Barchenu.......Natural.....Hine Anochi.......Good Shabbos Niggun......
"The Brothers" left and Adam and Danielle arrived!!!!! Soooooo happy were we when we embraced and loved one another. My other niece Ariel's special chatan Gabe Amzalog arranged a minyan to bring in Shabbos properly.... a great act of chesed which will not soon be forgotten. A young man came up from a lower floor and said "I heard there was a minyan".....he could feel the pull upward.....heavenword....so he joined us. Listening to my precious Adam lead us in Kabbalot Shabbos davening....beautiful. Lisa, Adam, Danielle and I had a beautiful Shabbos dinner together and then I came back to my room for the night.
Awoke early Shabbos morning....my blood was taken twice before 9 AM after which the first blast of 5 hours of chemotherapy was fired through my veins. Adonai Oz L'amoh Yitain....Adonai Yivarech Et Amo VaShalom. Hashem will give might to His people...Hashem will give His people peace. Davened alone in my room....eerily swaying back and forth with my tallit protecting me in Hashem's loving embrace.....the rocket fire attacking the death seeking enemy within me while I joyfully and calmly davened with all of my emunah and bituchan to thank Hashem for such a beautiful Shabbos and for all the love and kindness He has and continues to shower upon me.
Opening morning teffilas where we read....."life results from His favor. In the evening one lies down weeping, but with dawn - a cry of joy!.....give thanks to Hashem, for He is good, for His kindness endures forever.....The Torah of Hashem is perfect....restoring the soul; the testimony of Hashem is trustworthy, gladdening the heart; the command of Hashem is clear, enlightening the eyes. The fear of Hashem is pure, enduring forever; the judgements of Hashem are true, altogether righteous.....Hashem is close to the brokenhearted; and those crushed in spirit He saves".
Lisa, Adam and Danielle arrived after my davening. Our dearest friend Allison and my sweetest friend of "a thousand years" Robbie Glimcher...who flew in for the day from his home in Pittsburgh... spent the day and shared a beautiful Shabbos lunch. After mincha and maariv Lisa, Adam, Danielle and I made Havdallah back in my room where I reach out to K'lal Yisrael now and wish all a.....Gut a voch...and heartfelt Shavua Tov!
michael
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Michael,
ReplyDeleteOn Shabbos the Gottlieb family walked your Shabbos trek of 6 miles round trip as we headed to a Bat Mitzvah in Penn Valley. I shared many of your stories with the kids as we kept saying, "Do you believe Michael does this every shabbos, sometimes three times! You once told me that every step is a brucha. As we discussed the partia, the beautiful trees, sang a few songs and bonded it was so clear to me what a brucha every step has been for your family. We are looking forward to having you in the neighborhood but I think you may have to walk 3 miles to your parents for lunch so you don't miss out on this great quality time.
Shavua Tov,
We love you, The Gottliebs
Shavua Tov, Michael! Thank you for sharing your love and strength with us. You nourish our spirits as we intend to be present (from a distance) for you! We are with you! Gut voch!
ReplyDeleteall our love,
jon and louise
Shavua Tov............We love you brother!
ReplyDeleteshavuah tov michael and lisa danielle and adam!!!
ReplyDeletemay all the power of this holy shabbat infuse you all and each and every one of us that are sharing this journey with you. Each step of this journey is a bracha for each of us and we are all so priveleged to have the merit to be in your light, gratitude and inspiration. The flow of tefilot, love and energy is truly v'ahavta l'reacha kamocha.. love your fellow as yourself.
I am deeply grateful for each and every angel and hashgacha pratis that continues to unfold on your journey at SK. The beautiful shabbat table and flowers and food so lovingly prepared by other jews. So you could have an elevated shababt with each other. That is so awesome.. one jew helping another and they know you only 24 hours! It is so Jewish! To go beyond yourself and do and give. We can all ask ourselves how we can help another in our respective lives!
The friday night davening bringing in shabbat was very heartfelt. I was very moved because gabe loves you and it was special he could do that for you. Seeing your beautiful family and you deep in prayer. May hashem listen and hear and act on behalf of these prayers. The men in the Manhattan Sephardic Community and the rest of our friends and community are praying for you all deeply and are on call when you need a minyan. Much strangth and love as you begin a new week...
I feel good knowing that Gabe can be there for adam and ariel is there for danielle.
Love Kim and Raymond, Gabe, Ilana and Eli
Michael, I just read the Gottliebs posting and funny I was also thinking of you when I walked the same walk home from a friends house in Penn Valley on Shabbos morning. The whole time, as the sun was shining so beautifully, I thought of you - your dedication and love for Hashem and all who come in contact with you. I was so happy to hear that although we were missing you here, you brought in your own beautiful Shabbos experience. All our love and prayers, Sam, Amy, Devon and Zac
ReplyDeleteWe learn this week in the third perek of Pirkei Avos, Mishnah 3 that if one sits and is osek b'Torah alone, Hashem will give him a reward. We learn later on in the perek that the Shechinah dwells among that lone figure as well. While you may be unable to learn or daven with a tzibur as frequently as you are accustomed to, have faith Hashem will still recognize your efforts and protect you. May He reward you for the talmud torah that is such an integral part of your life, even during this difficult hour.
ReplyDeleteI have the zechus of reciting the following line of Tehillim each day in yours and your father's name: "Hashem yismarcha mikol rah, yishmor es nafshecha". Hashem should protect you from all evil, protect your soul.
With Best Wishes for a Refuah Sheleima,
Josh Dembowitz
Dear Michael ben Yehudas Miriam
ReplyDeleteAh Goot Voch and ah goot Leib ! So happy you did have the "sweet ride" of a Shabbos filled with song and love of your lil ship.
Continue with your absolutely phenomonal attitude and overcome whatever is trying to undermine you. Your the commando that the Israeli forces should have with them. I'H, you'll do just that, as always, supporting the Jewish Nation in all manner.
all our love,
Avy and Miriam
Dear Michael
ReplyDeleteWe have been reading your journal,and your courage and determination to fight this terrible disease is an inspiration to us all. There is no doubt in our minds that you will prevail and will come out on the other side healthy and stronger than ever before.
Our love and prayers are with you, Lisa, Adam and Danielle and also your Mom and Dad who have been having their own difficult time.
Looking forward to seeing you at Ariel's wedding next month.
Love, Stuart and Lari
Michael, I have read your words every day since Seena sent me the link. Your inspiration and dedication to healing, to life, to your family and friends, are steadfast; I am at once awed and humbled by all you share. Seeing Lisa and Danielle, your beauties, reinforces these feelings.
ReplyDeleteLove to all of you,
Casey Hirsch
It is so powerful to share your days, especially your Shabbos, with you! The first thing I do each morning, now , is make my cup of morning tea and click on to your blog/journal. You are the inspiration for my day! May Hashem keep you strong, and may He heal you....today! Love to all, Janis
ReplyDeleteWe all wish you a speedy recovery and we are looking forward to seeing your happy smiling face in the Hood!!! Big hugs and kisses to you all.
ReplyDeleteMuch Love,
Joyce,Jeff,jackie,julie, and jenny Retig
Shavua Tov Michael,
ReplyDeleteMay this week bring continued strength and spirit your way. We are all so blessed to know you. As Lag BaOmer approaches, my family is reminded of the amazing generosity and hospitality your family has shown our community over the years...that bonfire blazes deep in your soul, your "pintele yid" and it brightens and enlightens all of us.
May it's warmth and Hashem's everlasting chesed and mercy guide you to a complete and speedy refuah...
All our love and tefillot,
Alisha and Jack Abboudi
Hey Man....wishing you another breath of support and love, as this week has ended! You are in my thoughts and I look forward to hearing those words come loudly out of your mouth......"Yeah Man!!"
ReplyDeleteLove,
Howard
Michael,
ReplyDeleteYou have always provided inspiration and prayer to and for those around you. Now it is our turn to pray for you. Eretz Hatzvi in December....
Jay, Butsie, Micky and Etan
Michael-
ReplyDeleteIt has been an big week. Now that round one of the chemo is over, I hope you can rest well for a few days. Stay strong and positive. I love and miss you.
Richie
BH"
ReplyDeleteMichael,
It's truly interesting and amazing that most of what you write mentions "K'Lal Yisrael." It exhibits amazing awareness for who we truly are during such a tough journey.
"The entire being of Moses was the Torah he brought to his people. The Torah was more than something he taught. It was what he was. It was his G-d within him.
Yet when it came to a choice between the Torah or his people, He chose his people. He said 'And if you do not forgive them, then wipe me out from Your book that You have written!'
His whole being was the Torah, but deep into his essence, at the very core, was his oneness with his people."
-The Lubavitcher Rebbe
The Rebbe actually wept profoundly as he spoke these words. What is amazing to me that during your troubles you have the mindfulness to speak of us all in a positive way and including us not in your battle, but joining us together in your well wishes.
Be well.
Michael
Michael,
ReplyDeleteI feel blessed to have been part of the beautiful Shabbos lunch that I shared with you, Lisa, Adam, Danielle, and my new friend Allison. With an operation over and Chemo started, Your smile lifted the whole building. The strength that both you and Lisa have is amazing. The love in that room was full of warmth and peace. The two of you are so blessed with Adam and Danielle.
I still will never understand why Hashem does certain things. However, I know that Hashem empowered you ,Sil and the kids to handle this detour, with the strength and love and power that you use in all your endeavors.
I truly want you to know that I am there for you. However, when I left the other day, I knew that you are there for me and so many others. Your truly a role model for us and a teacher on how to deal with the good and the bad of life. As I can see from reading this blog each day, you have your spritual army backing you in every step through this. The love and prayers will only strengthen, THE MAN, Mikey Wachs
to get through this in your special way. with Sil by your side, you two will triumph anything.
Love you bro.
Michael - Aish services on Friday night were not the same without you! I kept thinking about all the wonderful shabbat dinners we have shared at your beautiful table and I couldn't imagine the house dark with no celebration going on inside. I am so glad to hear that you were able to celebtrate such a wonderful shabbat with your family and friends - it just goes to show you that it really doesn't matter where you are as long as you have your family nearby and are able to connect with them and Hashem. We miss you and are thinking of you constantly. So glad that round one is over - keep moving forward and fight the good fight.
ReplyDeleteAll our love,
Ellen, Dan, Andrew and Jennifer
Your courage and resolve will serve you well in this, the epic battle of your life. Know I am with you in spirit my brother, thinking of, and praying for you each and every day. Your tenacity, which I have personally witnessed on dozens of occasions during the 10 years or so that I have had the privledge of calling you my dear friend, is a real inspiration to me. You are, by far, one of most interesting, enlightened, spiritual, sincere, passionate people I have come to know. I am very proud of you Michael. For many reasons, I am very proud indeed.
ReplyDeleteShiroff
Dear Micheal,
ReplyDeleteWe are so happy to see you all had such a wonderful and spiritual Shabbos.....we expect no less from you! As we made L'chaim's this Shabbos we asked for your refuah and we can't wait to have you back here with us, on warm Shabbosim, rainy ones, snowy ones.....whatever.....drinking L'chaim's with us as you always have. Our pre-lunch kiddush is not the same without you and Adam stopping in to join us..... Sil and Danielle make it all the more fun! What a kiddush we're gonna have, G-d willing, when you return home and are able to take that trek to Lower Merion.....it's going to be soon "my friend" B'ezrat Hashem!
While it's raining and pretty gloomy here today in Philly, we hope the "sun" is shining upon you warmly and giving you continued strength.
All our love,
Debbi and Marc
So pleased Shabbos provided a respite...remember, my brother, draw strength from the holiness of every day BUT carry the fight to the enenmy. You MUST gather a huge dose of anger and STAY angry. To defeat this viper, you must hate it in your sleep. Even on Shabbos, you are permitted to hate Amalek!
ReplyDelete