One of these is that the couple should merit to build a "bayit ne'eman b'yisrael".
We see the expression "bayit ne'eman" three times in the Bible, in 1Samuel 2:35, 1 Samuel 25:28 and 1 Kings 11:38
The blessing is for the couple to establish a lasting (or enduring, or reliable) family (or dynasty or home) within the nation of Israel.
The word "ne'eman" is related of course to the word for "faith" (emunah).
We were married twelve years ago, with this blessing ringing in our ears. We've merited to begin growing, raising, and nurturing our own "bayit ne'eman" with our five children. It's a huge responsibility and a great honor to be building the Jewish people.
But just over three years ago, a new dimension to this blessing was opened to us. We moved to Israel.
And as if making aliyah wasn't challenge enough, we decided to move way up north to the Galilee and build ourselves a house here. Most normal immigrants just rent or buy an apartment or a house in a city. But in what somedays seems like a crazy fit of independence, we decided that we wanted to really build the Land of Israel.
So, where there was once no house, a new house will - with God's help - be built.
Our own bayit ne'eman b'Yisrael.
This blog is our chronicle of the process. One concrete block, one anxiety attack, one prayer at a time.
Welcome.
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