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Script of the Authentic Red String Movie
We live in a fast paced world... filled with economic pressures, health concerns, interpersonal tensions and even fear. We are looking to connect with a cosmic force, to embrace our desires for a life of fulfillment, and our need to be protected from forces beyond our control.
Recently, the press has reported on a so-called mystical red string, photographed on the wrists of many a Hollywood superstar; a string, they say, that has been mystically infused with Kabbalistic powers at the Tomb of Rachel, the burial place of OUR Jewish Matriarch.
Overnight, this most humble of bracelets has become a new-age Kabbalistic accessory, a shortcut to spirituality, with the promise of protection from the negative looks of others, the so-called Evil Eye.
Actually, the red string is neither new, nor new-age. For hundreds of years it's been a common Jewish practice, albeit unpublicized, to wear a red string around the wrist, and to tie a string around the wrist of a child.
Judaism.com wants to reclaim this age-old custom as a Jewish tradition....
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In the Land of Israel, there are three places that are the most holy: The Kotel, the Western Wall in Jerusalem, site of the Holy Temples; the Maarat Hamachpelah in Chevron, the burial place of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Leah; and Kever Rochel, the Tomb of the Matriarch Rachel, on the road between Jerusalem and Chevron.
For centuries, visitors have come to pray at her resting place, asking this Mother of the Jewish People to intercede on their behalf. And today, even though the route is difficult and dangerous, and even though the ancient Tomb is now encased in bomb-resistant concrete for its OWN protection, the faithful still come to Kever Rochel, and will always come....
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Rabbi Eran Brandwein, a scholar-in-residence at Rachel's Tomb, reads from a book by the Apter Rav, which was written over 80 years ago.
"HaTorah HakDosha Katvah, Hi Matzevet Kevurat Rachel Ad Hayom - It is written in the Holy Torah, it is Rachel's Tomb to this day. It is a segulah for salvation in the merit of our faithful and pitying Mother, where the custom is to wrap thread around the Tomb, and this thread becomes blessed with special authentic and proven qualities, a segulah to remove pain, evil eye, to bless with children who will live on, and to give the woman who is giving birth an easy and successful one."
Each part of the ceremony has significance.
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About a string it is said, "Every morning a thread of grace prevails, and G-d renews the world for another day." Seven circuits around the Tomb correspond to the seven days of Creation, the seven emotional attributes of man, and the seven channels that bring holiness into the world. Each of the special prayers and Psalms recited while the string is being wound, has its own significance, meaning and structure that relates to the number seven.
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But what is it about Rachel that has made her resting place so holy? Why is it Rachel's string to which we want to be attached?
Her story of love found and love delayed is well known. Her pain of childlessness was almost unbearable. Yet throughout her years of unfulfillment and sadness, Rachel harbored neither negative thoughts nor jealous glances towards Leah, her older sister. It was Lavan, their father, who had switched Leah for Rachel under the wedding canopy with Jacob.
Rachel's red string reminds us not to look unfavorably upon others even if we feel betrayed or suffer damage. Rachel's red string reminds us to look within ourselves for what may be missing in order to receive G-d's blessings.
With the birth of Joseph, Rachel's prayers were finally answered. And while giving birth to Benjamin, the youngest of the 12 Tribes, Rachel passed away and was buried at the side of the road. The Prophet Jeremiah explains that she was buried there so that over 1500 years later she could pray for the Jewish People as they passed her Tomb on the way out of Jerusalem, into exile.
And those that come to her Tomb today also pray that Rachel will wrap her blessings around them, like a string around the wrist. In the merit of Rachel's benevolent gaze towards her sister Leah we pray that her string may be a protection for us from the unkind looks of others. That is our hope.
Judaism.com guarantees that the Authentic Red String has been prepared according to classic Jewish traditions by responsible and knowledgeable individuals who have the highest intentions and respected Jewish affiliations.
Actually, that's all we CAN guarantee, since any increase in spiritual awareness or mystical connectiveness, or perceived protection that the string G-d Willing provides, will surely have as much to do with the feelings, thoughts, intentions and actions of the person that wears it.
It's not Kabbalistic magic.
It's a way to connect, to have Rachel in mind as we go about our daily lives. Rachel still weeps for her children, waiting for G-d's promise of Redemption to occur.
May it be speedily in our days.
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[CREDITS]
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The Red String
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