Day #3 in Tzfat
Nothing is a coincidence. Everything you experience is meant to teach you something of meaning. This particular day feels like the start of the rest of my life.
Today we were lucky enough to visit with an artist in Tzfat named Avraham (or Robert as his American name). He explained to us that he grew up in Michigan and although he came from a Jewish family, he struggled to connect with his heritage. He was then introduced to the religious spirit and belief of Kabbalah, and his entire life changed. He came to Israel, and has yet to leave the nation because of his connection. He has dedicated his life to sharing his beliefs through visual art, and has made a living sharing his interpretation of the religion with others.
While speaking with Avraham, we were able to see some of his art and learn where the inspiration for the pieces came from. There was one piece in particular that struck me. It was a piece of writing in Hebrew taken from the Torah that translated to "There is no higher God". When explaining this particular piece, he said that there is no such thing as a coincidence. Everything that happens to us and every person that we encounter in this life was brought to us at the right time to teach us something or help us grow in some way. This is something that I have always held as a personal belief and have come to realize through personal struggle, so it gave me chills to hear that this belief stems from the most spiritual part of my history.
He also explained that anything bad or any setback in your life is actually a preparation for the goodness that is to come. Sometimes, all you can do is just believe and give your faith to a higher power, whatever that higher power may be for you.
This is something that struck both my sister, who I am fortunate enough to share this experience with, and I at the exact same moment. This is something that our grandmother, from our non-Jewish side of the family, has always told us and has stressed to us during our struggles. Faith is believing no matter what bump in the road you hit, it is teaching you to move forward and get stronger as you encounter the next bump. This is something that is clearly universal, regardless of religious background.
My sister and I grew up in a home of two different religious backgrounds, Christianity and Judaism. Our parents did not want to push religion onto us, so we grew up experiencing both practices with our perspective sides of the family and allowed to choose for ourselves what path we desire. I know for me that committing to a religion is something I've always struggled with and have termed myself as more spiritual than religious. This experience has taught me that you can be both. I feel more connected to Judaism and more importantly, where I come from. Israel is a place where all religions can find connection and root, and I have discovered a side to my ancestry that I never knew existed. I guess I am not so far removed from my past after all.
Nothing is a coincidence.
Chloe Blau, New York
