The town of Afula in Northern Israel was founded in this date in 1925. It is located on the presumed site of the tower ("Ophel") mentioned in the Biblical account of an Aramean general's visit to the Prophet Elisha (II Kings 5:24).
Afula's central location in the Jezreel Valley makes it the market center of the region; it is often referred to as "the Capital of the Valley."
Because of the town's proximity to Judea and Samaria, it has repeatedly been a target of terrorist attacks following the Oslo "peace process" and during the second Intifada.
In today's "Nasi" reading (see "Nasi of the Day" in Nissan 1), we read of the gift bought by the nasi of the tribe of Gad, Elyasaf ben De'uel, for the inauguration of the Mishkan.
The Baal Shem Tov taught:
To live a G‑dly life, to keep all the mitzvahs with awe, with love, and with joy—this is not something distant from you. It is who you truly are.
Because within you is a soul, a G‑d point, a divine living being that cannot allow itself to be torn away from G‑d, that only desires to be always at one with Him.
For this thing is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to do it. (Deut. 30:14)
The Alter Rebbe taught:
Here’s what you must do:
Fix a time each day to study the words of inner Torah and ponder who G‑d is, who you really are, and what the relationship is between your soul and Him.
And then call out to Him in prayer that He will open your heart.
Then, at those moments when you are tugged away from your true desires, you will only need to remind yourself, “No, this is not me. The real me doesn’t want to be separated from my G‑d even for a moment. Why should I be a fool and listen to a voice that is not me?”
The struggle—the struggle is precious. It is not up to you to win the struggle. Cherish the struggle.
But to be who you truly are in the things you do, the words you speak, and the thoughts you choose to dwell upon—this is very close to your heart.
It is who you truly are.