Aviva Barth is from Queens, New York. She went to MHS and then went to Michlalah for seminary. She just graduated Queens College and is iyh starting social work school in the fall. Aviva had an incredible experience on Michlelet as a camper and is so excited to be back this summer as a madricha.
Aviva’s chabura is called “Bentch like a Mensch”. The goal of her chabura is to help the campers make their Bentching more meaningful. She started off by explaining the Torah perspective on eating and then went on to teach the source of Birchas Hamazon as well as some basic Halachos of Bentching. The chabura also practically discusses different themes which can be find in bentching such as Hakaras Hatov, Gam Zu Ltova, and Eretz Yisreal. Aviva’s goal for her chabura is to ultimately change their perspective to “getting to bentch” as opposed to feeling that they “have to bentch” after eating bread.
The amazing girls in Aviva’s chabura are Bracha (MHS), Esti (TAG), Maya (Ida Crown), Miriam (Bruriah), Rachel (Hadar), Ruti (Naaleh)
What have you learned about Bentching this summer that you didn’t know before?
Bracha- In Benching we say “הודו לה׳ כי טוב…״ – we bless HaShem because HE is good. But at times life may not seem so good, in which case we tend to say “Gam Zu L’tovah” even though it may actually not be something we think is good. What I learnt from this powerful message is that when we are given a challenge or something is just not going the way we like, I know that it’s FOR the good. It may not seem so good now but we thank HaShem for HE is good, therefore meaning “HE will never leave us lacking any good thing”. So although we may not view a particular thing in our lives as good know that when we are Benching we are praising and thanking HaShem for HE is good- which makes whatever HE does inevitably good.
Esti- Something I learned was that bentching is not only thanking HaShem for the food we eat but also for Eretz Yisrael, seeing that everything that happens is for the good, as well as that all the beautiful mitzvos we have the opportunity to do daily; such as ahavas and yiras Hashem, are also mentioned in bentching.
Maya- I learned the true meaning behind Bentching. Bentching should not be something you are inconvenienced by, but rather something you should look forward to. It’s a time for you to show your gratitude to Hashem. If you say thank you to the bus driver as you leave the bus why wouldn’t you say thank you to Hashem for all that He gives you and sustains you at every meal.
Miriam- Through Benching we learn to have Hakarat Hatov for everything Hashem gives us. Whether you can move your ten fingers or use your eyes to view the beautiful scenery, thanking Hashem for everything will lead to a fulfilling life. Benching gives us the built in opportunity to sit down and thank Hashem for the process in which our bodies our nourished. We should use it as a time to acknowledge how much Hashem does for us and carry the message throughout our day
Rachel- In chaburah this summer, I learnt a beautiful idea on the themes of Ahavat Hashem and Yirat Hashem that are both found in Birkat Hamazon . On this topic, we brought the Rambams question on how one is supposed to love and fear Hashem at once. He answered that by looking out and recognizing Hashem’s hand in every creation, one comes to love and appreciate Hashem for giving him so much, but also fear Him out of recognition of His power. This was super applicable over the summer which I spent touring Israel and seeing all the beautiful sights. These experiences left me in awe and also brought me closer to Hashem!
Ruti- When thinking about bentching, I usually think about thanking Hashem. Throughout this summer and through this Chaburah I have learned that bentching is not just a mere “thank you”. It is also an expression of our love of Hashem and a reminder that He loves us. This is an angle that I have not thought about before and it makes my bentching that much more meaningful.