The Book of

RaananRaanan

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FOREWORD TO MY GRANDSON RAANAN

It seems like only yesterday you were born, and now you are be-ing bar mitzvahed. Back in June 2002, I described you as that "really cute little guy, all 5 pounds and change, with sculp-tured features and little chicken legs." Your mom got your name from the first verse of the Hafto-rah that was read in synagogues

that week. "Roni v'simchi bat Zion," says the prophet Zechariah, which means, "Sing out and Rejoice, O Daughter of Zion." Your mom, whose Hebrew name is.Bat Zion, was so inspired by this beautiful and optimis-tic verse that she named you Raanan. I think your mom must be a prophetess, too, because you have certainly lived up to what Raanan means in Hebrew, namely, refresh, renew, and reenergize. In preparing this book for you, I was inspired by the Torah portion that you will be reading, particularly the story of the 12 spies. I particularly saw some parallel between you and the spy Caleb; I admired Caleb's grit, his courage, his ability to stand up for what he believed. I see some of those same qualities in you, and I wanted to highlight these in this book by letting people know, if they were not already aware, that you have great pedigree from both sides of your family, that you are a fantastic student and amazing athlete, and that you are look-ing forward to taking on more responsibilities and living next year in Is-rael. But I hope that this book, inspired partly by the lyrics of Stephen Sondheim and a children's story "Caleb G-d's Special Spy," will reveal some heretofore unknown details, such as the fact that nicknames are used in your family and that you are literally in a class of your own! Above all, I hope people have fun with this book because you are first and foremost a fun guy; and Grandma and I love you very much. Love, Grandpa Karan

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Let me tell you the tales, Of two young Jewish males, One modern and one long ago. Who stood out from the crowd And did themselves proud, Bravely but without bravado.

Forward

RAANAN AND THE SPY,

REACH FOR THE SKY!

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Our modern hero, Is a nice young fellow, Who thinks Hillel School should be fun, But I wouldnt be lyin When I say Kitah Ziyan, Is a class of his ownnamely, one!

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His friends there arent many, Theres Zev, Gidon and Benny, So you cant say hes ever alone, Plus hes got cousins galore, And his sister, whats more, And lots of new pals from Camp Stone.

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His brothers number two, And they tease him, its true, With Torque and Lewis nicknames. But dont get me wrong, They do get along, In sports and rough-housing games.

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You can share a last name, And still not be the same, Says our wise young Raanan Tzvi. Like the Buffalo Bills, We all have different skills, And thats quite alright with me.

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Both parents of mine, Are MDs which is fine, And they make peoples pains go away, Abba treats kids, And my Mom closes lids, Cause she passes them gas every day.

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With English Grandpa toyed,

Until he learned about Freud,

That wise old shrink from Vienna,

He loves Grandma a lot,

But hes always forgot, Her names are Annette and Henna!

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My family has folks Who like to tell jokes, Which isnt exactly a sin, Just ask Zaidy a Rav, Whom I really love, Along with Bobbi his Rab-betzin.

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Now people like us,

Might feel quite non-plus,

If our lives followed that of Raanan

Tzvi,

I am fast and Im smart, He can say from his heart,

Happy with my lot, thats me!

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And hell feel even finer, When he stops being a minor,

And can be part of the Torah reading

scene,

And from where I am sitting,

Its naturally fitting, His Bar Mitzvah is on 6-13!

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Hell be reading the Toreh, Taught by Abba as his Moreh,

On a man with whom he can identify,

Someone called an outlier,

But whose vision was higher,

Who became a most excellent spy.

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They laughed at him, too,

Saying he wasnt even a Jew, And his name made them think of a

pup,

But when Moses needed scouts.

To plan out the routes,

Caleb was one of the twelve he called

up.

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What they found was amazing,

Herds of animals grazing,

And lots of fruits and crops galore,

Like a land of milk and honey,

This place was rolling in money,

Like a free-for-all Wegmans Store!

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But almost all of the spies,

Came back and told lies,

That the people they saw were too

strong,

Theyll stomp us with their feet, And theyll chew us like meat, Theres no way we can last very long.

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Even Moses got flak,

When the spy guys got back,

For all of his words they doubted,

We want Egypt instead, Because here well be dead, Get us out of here fast! They all shouted.

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Only two of the scouts,

Reported no doubts,

That the Israelites should surely go in.

Said Caleb and Josh,

Were like LeBron, Wade and Bosh, Theres no way were not going to win!

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Now we all know the story,

Didnt end in quick glory, For the cowardly spies and their band,

Since they didnt have trust, They wandered in dust,

Never reaching G-ds Promised Land.

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When Raanan ends the layning,

There will be no complaining,

And well propel gobs of candy, But I think that well see, That Caleb and he,

Have the same modus operandi.

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Its how he conducts himself, That a man constructs himself,

And Raanan like Caleb has true

grit,

They dont flaunt their talents, And always keep their balance.

And what they admit, they admit!

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So whether out or inside,

Let truth be your guide,

And you shall have, I guarantee,

Perhaps not always first prize,

But youll tell fewer lies, Which is the way G-d wants us to

be.

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So Caleb was proud,

When G-d allowed,

Him to enter the promised nation,

So, too, Raanan will be ecstatical,

On his family Sabbatical,

For his Bar Mitzvah Caleb-ration!

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AFTERWORD TO OUR GRANDSON RAANAN

The Spies were leaders and representatives of each of the Tribes, but they failed in their mission to return with an encouraging re-port about the Land of Israel. Instead, they gave a positive report of their mission, but it was riddled with fear and full of doubt. The panic and stress caused by the ten of the spies infected the spirit and hope of the people. Only Joshua ben Nun and Caleb

ben Yefuneh spoke up on behalf of the Land and its greatness. They alone with courage and conviction arose to the occasion and defended G-d, Mosheh and Eretz Yisroel. They insisted, Aloh Naaleh, we can certainly Go Up to the Land. As a result of their unique greatness, Joshua becomes the next leader of the Bnai Yisroel. Caleb is chosen to be the leader of the Tribe of Yehudah. He is also given ownership of Chevron Kiryat Arbah for his guidance. His son, Otniel also is to become the first Shofet (Quasi King) of Bnai Yisroel. Why was Caleb rewarded in this way? There are two reasons. He was able to silence the peoples complaint in a diplomatic way. He also made sure to visit the resting places of our Avot v Imaote who are buried in Chev-ron. By silencing a revolution with the correct words and by paying tribute to his ances-tors, he is rewarded and recognized as a great leader, scholar and Jew. Our dear Raanan, Caleb was given Chevron which was the first capital of Israel. It was the place where King David was coroneted. Chevron was also a place of Enemy Giants known as the Anakim. It is also called Kiryat Arbah because of the four biggest Giants that lived there and the name of the Leader was Arba. Caleb stood up to them by going to Chevron and demonstrated that even though the spies were perceived as insects, he could appear as a single Giant in their eyes. After all , he comes with the strength of his Mother, Father, Grand Parents and all before him. Dear Raanan. In my book, you are a Giant and Gibor. Your respect to your parents and grandparents, your love for family and kindness to friends speaks of your positive energy. Your humor, knowledge and leadership awards Bubby and me with such great Nachas. This Shabbos, when you are called to the Torah to layn the Sedra and conduct the Tefilah for the Tzibur, I am certain that this will be the beginning of many giant steps you will take as you journey into the your Jewish life as Bar Mitzvah. Let the model of Caleb be an inspiring one in your life and may the teaching of all the Torah Giants of Jewish history be your guiding light. Love , Zaidy & Bubby Kilimnick