Postcard from Israel II

I just returned from one of the most powerful places on the earth for me!

It’s the end of an amazing week spent here in Israel the holy land. Besides the sheer enjoyment of spending this many days with my family away from real life (or is this real life?), this land always brings together the highest of the high and the most physical.

Not with sending all of that, the city of Chevron, Hebron has a certain powerful energy that I have not felt anywhere in the land of Israel. Could it be the fact that three of our fathers and mothers are buried there? Could it be that there is an enclave of 850 Jews living up the hill and down the hill from 300,000 Arabs that want to kill them and occasionally attempt and sadly occasionally succeed at that?

I can’t package the spiritual feeling of the city but I could share with you the physical realities that I experienced and internalized today.

A few hours ago I stood on the very spot that Shalhevet (which means a flame) Paz, a baby, was murdered in her baby carriage while her father was rocking her. Up the block last night, two Arab brothers a 16 year old and a 19 year old attacked an Israeli soldier with a knife, and were shot dead. They found a suicide note in one of the brothers pockets. We prayed at the holy site of our forefathers and mothers and at the resting place of the granddaughter of the first Chabad Rebbe, Rebbetzin Menucha Rochel a holy woman and a kind of Rebbe herself. We had a l’chaim in the home of the local Shliach. Visited the Avrohom Avinu (our forefather Abraham synagogue).

This after a week of experiencing history discovered in various archeological sites, enjoying quality kosher restaurants, visiting the holy resting places of many a righteous Jewish leader, experiencing the modern history of Israel.

The highest of the high, the holiest of the holy, the ugly evil and wickedness, physical pleasure, connection to history. It’s a ping pong game of emotions.

But there is a bottom line. The Jewish people when remaining focus on our purpose on this earth, when we have fortitude in our mission on this earth, when we have our own self confidence or G-d esteem, when we are united as a people despite our differences, we are able to withstand any external challenge.

Today, now we must be united more than ever. We must identify with our mission to be a light unto our own families, communities and the world at large. We are a light unto them by making sure our light burns bright. Our light is the light of Torah and Mitzvot.

As we prepare for Chanukah this Sunday night, let’s strengthen our resolve that our Judaism and Jewishness should shine ever more brightly.

With blessings for a peaceful Shabbat, regards from Jerusalem.

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