Bar Mitzvah to Create Memories

The following is a blog post written by Dina Hurwitz, co-director of Chabad Temecula in California:

10 years ago, I was in Israel for my sister’s wedding. While I was there, I spent two weeks at the Dead Sea for a skin condition I have.

Walking into the Dead Sea, I am waiting for the magic. Nothing happens. I just keep walking as if it’s a regular beach. All of a sudden, I lose my balance and begin to fall. At that very moment the miracle strikes. G-d catches me and I float, not just float, but couldn’t sink if I tried. The miracles G-d put in nature are are the most mind blowing. Air, earth and water that cure people of so many ailments. I remember thinking at that time that if all I leave here with is this lesson it would be enough. We think we are in control, and the minute we realize that we are not, G-d catches us.

Many years pass, and every once in a while I remember how incredible it felt to be caught, then forget again. Until now.

My best friend, my rock, my husband was recently diagnosed with ALS. The illusion of control was lost completely. Our silly dreams of how much fun we would have once the kids are older turned into ice cold fears.

My husband the singer, storyteller, jokester, and generally the more talkative of the two of us could not speak clearly anymore. Everything changed in an instant. Priorities took on a completely different flavor. Dreams needed to be turned into reality. All of the “if onlys” had to happen now. Now is all we know.

Just as our family lost our footing we were caught by hundreds of brothers and sisters, many of whom we have never met. The love that we have been showered with at this time can only be described as G-d catching us and cradling us through His thousands of representatives on His beautiful earth.

As difficult as this time in our lives is, that is nothing compared to how beautiful it is. The amount of joy, love, support, and unity we have been privileged to experience makes me think I understand why G-d created this world. What good He felt His creations can accomplish, and for what? We’ve never done anything that comes close to deserving this, yet here it is.

We have been blessed (understatement) to find out who catches us when we fall. In other words, we cannot fall, there is a beautiful net of love surrounding us.

I truly think no change is necessary. You are perfect! But if you must… Please do one extra kind deed daily in the merit of my husband. Thank you, you must be making G-d so proud.

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Friends, relatives, classmates and associates of Rabbi Yitzy Hurwitz are invited to attend the Bar Mitzvah celebration of his son Eli Chaim Hurwitz on Wednesday, Isru Chag – April 3 at 7:30pm at United Lubavitcher Yeshiva, 570 Crown Street (Albany Entrance) in Crown Heights.

“It will be wonderful opportunity to see Yitzy, dance with him and share in this exceptional simcha,” a family friend told COLlive.com.

Those that cannot attend, can show their support at HurwitzFamilyFund.com