After two long years in which I hadn't been able to see my parents, today I was finally able to see them in person, when I got off the plane and arrived at London Heathrow Airport.
It was a moment that was truly worthy of a Shehechiyanu blessing, as I was finally able to give them an embrace, and give them the joy of a child coming home to visit.
For so long we could not visit even though I was vaccinated, and then when they finally changed the rules so that we could fly, my family and myself came down with COVID. Now, while I am still within the ninety days from having had COVID, it was the perfect time to finally make this visit happen and to take the flight across the pond.
My five year old daughter who helped drop me off at Logan was crying when I said goodbye and was sad that I was leaving. I tried explaining to her that while it was so hard for her to have me leave for three nights, imagine how hard it is for my parents not to be able to see their child for two years, and now how special it is that I am finally able to go and visit.
Every time I see my parents it is of special significance, whether it is in the UK or when they come and visit us in Sudbury. Yet having not been able to make this visit for so long, and now finally seeing them after two long years, is something that made me realize just how much we have to be thankful and grateful for.
As I hugged my parents this morning, I found myself understanding and relating to some of the stories of the Torah in a more personal way.
In one of the famous stories which we read about in a few weeks, we read about the moment that Jacob is finally reunited with his son Joseph after more than twenty years apart and not even knowing if he was alive. The Torah tells us that Joseph cried on the shoulders of his father but does not tell us about Jacob's emotions and whether he cried or not.
The commentaries explain, that Jacob was in the middle of reciting the prayer of the Shema when he hugged Joseph his son, and therefore we are not told about him crying during that encounter as he was busy with the prayer of the Shema.
In Chassidic thought it is explained that it is a little more complex than that, and what was happening is that Jacob was indeed deeply emotional during that encounter as he was finally able to embrace his son Joseph. Yet when he realized the intensity of his emotions he decided he wants to channel it into something and not simply let the emotions float away with the wind. So Jacob begins to say the Shema as he gives thanks to G-d for being able to experience this moment as he declares to his children his deep rooted faith in G-d and his ways.
I am certainly not a Jacob or Joseph, but as their descendant it is certainly important to learn from an experience like this, to pay attention and to give recognition to just how much there is to be grateful and thankful to G-d Almighty for his blessings.
May each one of us be able to continue to enjoy many healthy meaningful moments with our loves ones in the days and months ahead.
Meanwhile in Sudbury this week, Shayna's brother Yossi has come to visit along with four other Rabbinical Students and they will be leading a spirited and joyful Shabbos at Chabad of Sudbury this weekend.
Warm regards from London and see you back in Sudbury on Monday G-d willing.
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos
Yisroel
P.S Mazal Tov to my parents who became Great Grandparents this week as my niece Shani in NY gave birth to a healthy baby boy!