What I Learned from Meirav Berger
Words of Wisdom with Rabbi Efrat Zarren-Zohar
This week's Dvar Torah is dedicated to the memory of Charlie Ganz z"l, son of Ellie Ganz, CAJE Board Member and Chair of the Adult Learning Advisory Committee.
זכר צדיק לברכה
May the memory of the righteous be a blessing
This Dvar Torah was edited from one written by Sivan Rahav Meir, a primetime news anchor on Israeli television with a regular column in Yediot Aharonot and a weekly radio show on Army Radio, who has a large following on social media for her insights into Jewish life and tradition. It was translated by Yehoshua Siskin and Janine Muller Sherr and originally published in the Jerusalem Post.
Agam Berger reunited with her family following her release from Hamas captivity. January 30, 2025. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) via JPost.com
One of the most striking interpretations of this week's Torah portion Beshalach comes from a Midrash describing the splitting of the Red Sea
In the midst of this miraculous event, the Midrash presents a conversation between two anonymous men called Reuben and Shimon, as they cross the seabed.
“In Egypt, we were immersed in mortar, and here we are still surrounded by mortar,” they remarked. “In Egypt, we had the mortar that accompanied the bricks, and here at the Red Sea, we have the mud caused by the splitting waters.”
Amidst the miracle, all they could see was mud and dirt; to them, mud was mud, this time, in a new place.
Their view was clouded, preventing them from grasping the significance of the moment.
Because they were focused on the mud, they never looked up to appreciate the miraculous, historic events unfolding around him.
This Midrash underscores the power of perspective.
The entire country, and I think, the whole Jewish world celebrated the release of Agam Berger from captivity last week. Seeing the moving footage of Agam’s reunion with her family reminded me of various meaningful moments shared with her mother, Meirav, throughout the past year and a half.
Meeting a delegation of Jews from abroad, Meirav said, "Agam was kidnapped because she's Jewish. Be more Jewish!”
Meirav met people at Rachel's Tomb, at the Western Wall, and at countless prayer events, some of which were large gatherings while others were more intimate. “I only started learning the parashah now,” she said, “and it gives me such an anchor, such a compass.”
Meirav also launched an initiative centered on family purity, encouraging women to pray for Agam while immersing in the mikveh. Notices bearing her words appeared across mikvaot throughout the country: “We need renewal. We need to go to the mikveh and emerge different—all of us.”
Meirav came to every event wearing her shirt, like all family and friends, with Agam's famous quote on it: "I have chosen the path of faith."
This quote from Psalms was on Agam's social media profile, and it became the motto of this entire struggle. “I have chosen the path of faith” — not the path of TV studios, not the path of politics.
Speaking to Nova survivors, Meirav gave them comfort and encouragement. "Don't be afraid to live, to dance, to be happy. I'm telling you this as a mother of a hostage: Don't feel guilty! I want to see you smiling."
Thank you, Meirav, for reminding us about the big story and making us feel more connected to it.
The Torah is not a fictional book or a movie. It is a Torah of life.
Therefore, amidst the most intense, dramatic moments, it gives us anchors, incorporating eternal values into our routine, everyday lives.
In this period too, there is a call to elevate our turbulent emotions to something tangible: commandments and good deeds.
During these emotionally charged days particularly, everyone is invited to ponder what they will take upon themselves, which permanent anchors they will add to their lives.
