At the Kotel
BSD
Every person should probably write a book about their experiences at the Kotel. I don’t just mean the spiritual awakening, the epiphany, the clarity, but the stories of who you met, what you saw and how you reacted. I know I wish that I had been recording my experiences for all these years.
Here’s my latest- yesterday, Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, at the Kotel around 3 PM. It was very very hot, and the women who braved the weather were in two groups. One group- the one that I joined, in the back, protected from the sun by the back retaining wall. The sun was almost directly overhead, heating up the Kotel plaza and therefore the other group, more enthusiastic perhaps, were up directly by the Kotel, every one having her own space to touch the holy wall.
A Kalla enters the Kotel plaza. The custom is to come to the Kotel, for prayer and pictures, on the way to the wedding. She is dressed in her gorgeous gown, hair and makeup done and ready for her big day. She wore a white shimmering shawl, over her perhaps skimpier gown. At the Kotel on her wedding day, every Kalla has respect and covers up.
The custom is also to bless the Kalla with a good and happy life, and in turn, to receive her blessing. Hoots of LeiLee Lee were heard as some Sefardi women spotted this particular Kalla and her smile at their vocal blessing was deep.
Suddenly I saw two very religiously dressed young women- they looked to be in their late teens, wearing traditional Bais Yaakov type uniforms. No make up, hair modestly tied back, in their comfortable shoes, they were a real contrast to this Kalla.
These two girls went straight over to the Kalla, and from afar, I saw them talking to her,and she put her hands on them and blessed each one. These were the first she blessed, and afterwards other women approached.
My heart warmed with the realization that despite the Kalla not appearing to be perhaps dressed as she should, these two very frum girls didn’t hesitate to bless her and receive her blessings. We are really all sisters.
The Kalla then went to the Kotel, and her photographers who were on the men’s side, stood on chairs and got many good pictures. And then, this Kalla began to daven Mincha. Her Amida took much longer than mine, and near her, the two Bais Yaakov girls also stood. Did they each give to each other- one her blessing and the other, her inspiration?
As I was leaving the Kotel, there were lots of police vehicles driving into the plaza. Being a curious Israeli , I stood around to see which ‘company’ was coming to visit. Lots of secret service men, ear plugs attached to coiled wires, talking into invisible mics were around. Soon, photographers- these were real pro’s- showed up and finally the car with some diplomatic plates. Some leader from Europe- someone said it was the President of Italy- stepped out of the car.
Immediately, he put on a big smile, and began walking with his entourage. Cameras flashed, his smile flashed, lots of small talk to his walking partner, and flanked by Israeli and perhaps his own guards.
Most of us just shrugged and ran to catch our bus. No one significant to us was visiting. Just another photo-op for some politician. Fake and false. Superficial and spurious. Annnoying and traffic tying. Still, it was nice of whoever it was to visit.
Then I saw the king. A real crown on his head, walking with a pride, mixed with humility. Regal, holy yet so sweet. And then- another crown, another king. And a third.
Each holding the hand of his mother.
Each holding tightly in his other hand, his newly acquired Chumash.
A Chumash party, right at the Kotel.
Now, this was the real thing. These were real princes, pure and holy. These young boys would enter the royal ranks and truly do something constructive for their country, their people, their God. Such Nachas, such joy. The same group of us who had blithely watched as some politician had his cosmetic face photographed by world media, became thrilled with the sight of these adorable little future Torah scholars, future men of Israel.
Mi KeAmecha Yisrael. How wonderous are Hashem’s ways and how beautiful His Nation.
All the politicians of the world are welcome to come and pray at the Kotel. But the real glory goes to the little and big ones, who spend their lives living Torat Hashem.
Hastily covered up Kallahs and excited crowned six year olds were the heroes of my Kotel experience yesterday.
Parshas Shlach
BSD
It is clear from the events surrounding the Meraglim, who were Tzaddikim, that there is a dimention of Eretz Yisrael that goes above and beyond human comprehension. Rebbe Nachman teaches that Eretz Yisrael is aquired with Emuna, and that living in Eretz Yisrael enhances Emuna, among a myriad of other things.
This year, the second day of Shavuos came out on Shabbos. Here in Eretz Yisrael, it was a ‘regular’ Shabbos, and we read the regular Parshat Hashavua of Naso. The Torah reading for Chul was still Shavuos reading. Consequently, for the next few weeks, there is a different Parshat Hashavua in Eretz Yisrael than in Chul.
It is a good time, therefore, re-evaluate our love, devotion and committment to living in Eretz Yisrael- wherever you happen to currently be. Chutz LaAretz is not our home. Whether you are physically in the Land or not, your heart has to be directed here. If it is not, you need to ask Hashem to open your mind and heart to Eretz Yisrael, to understand the centrality of living in this Land in order to fulfill the Tafkid of being a practicing Jew.
So many of our brothers and sisters have no connection to Torah on an apparent level, and therefore cannot be expected to understand the concept of our own Land as the place to live as a complete Jew. The Torah world must at least acknowledge the fact that Eretz Yisrael is the hope and goal.
Here is a shiur given in Har Nof to the valiant women who spend their Wednesdays learning Torah.
Have a wonderful Shabbos
Fun Photos
BSD
One of the advantages to living here in Eretz Yisrael is that you get to do the Mitzvos Hateluyot BaAretz- those special Mitzvos that are connected to the Land. After Shmitta was over, I felt an urge to get into farmer mode and plant some veggies…With advice from some of my cowgirl students, I set up a porch garden. The combination of amazing sunshine, Yerushalayim water and Siyata Deshmaya gave forth the following produce:
On The Porch
The next step was to find out how exactly to take Truma and Maaser. I called the special Yeshiva here in Har Nof that is set up for agricultural questions, and the Rav gave me detailed instructions on what to do- after asking me all sorts of questions like- is the porch enclosed, open roofed, what was planted and how much grew. So teh next step was- harvesting what I wanted and setting it on the table, each vegetable by itself…
Here's the first harvest- Parsley on the left, corriander on the right and carrots center stage
Now comes the seperating of Truma and Maaser- taking a bit more than 1% of each variety and setting it aside. Then the Bracha, the declaration of Truma, the setting aside of a special coin to redeem the Maaser.
After I took Maaser- Pruta coin on table
It was pretty amazing- and I bless you all to have such an experience soon!
SHABBAT SHALOM, GUT SHABBOS-
