The love of one Jew for another, ahavat Yisroel, is a mitzvah in the Torah. So much has been said by our Sages about the importance of loving one another, for no other reason than the fact that we are all one body connected to each other. The Lubavitcher Rebbe’s love of each and every one is legendary. His guidance to his followers to always keep the door open for every Jew with true ahavat Yisroel is now the dictum of Chabad Houses around the world.
So what about Israel? We tend to allow the news media or pulpit rabbis help us form our understanding of what is going on in the world. I believe that the best way to understand a situation is to be there yourself.
Recently we were privileged to join a tour group coming from Atlanta to Israel. We spent some of the time on our own and some with the group, enabling us to see Israel in different ways. Our stay in Jerusalem at a private residence forced us to take buses or taxis to destinations where we needed to go. Thank G-d, Jerusalem, the “City of Peace,” lived up to its name.
Throngs of people from all over the world descend upon Jerusalem, the Holy City, walking its streets, going to the Kotel, visiting ancient sites, shopping and going to restaurants (it seems there is one on every street corner), and going about their day-to-day business. Jews, Arabs, and visitors from around the world walked freely and safely everywhere. At the water park, we met a Christian Arab family that considers Israel their home; in Chevron, Jewish students, tour groups and Arab worshippers went peacefully to pray at the holy site of our forefathers.
Police and soldiers are a common site in Israel and are respected for the important job they must do to keep the peace. We were able to walk through the Christian and Armenian quarters on the way to the Kotel, passing by people of all types. (Only the Muslim quarter is carefully guarded by our soldiers to make sure that Jewish women and children can go to shop and to school safely.)
All were most respectful of the holiness of the Kotel, the remnant of our Holy Temple. Women covered their open areas, prayed from the heart, and when leaving the Kotel respectfully walked backwards. The first day I was at the Kotel, I saw groups of two, three and four Israeli women soldiers congregating together and then walking up to the Wall to put in a prayer. I inquired what this was about and was told that they had a day off to visit the holy places in Jerusalem.
The girls were young and still impressionable. One wore the uniform of a higher ranking officer; the others were dressed either in slacks or skirts. What pride I felt in our young women dedicated to the security of our land. On the promenade, soldiers were gathering for an induction ceremony that evening. You could see soldiers with kippot, and without kippot, and families coming to watch their loved ones.
Interestingly, the following day when we went to Chevron with the tour group, we met the Chabad shlucha (emissary) of Chevron, Bat Sheva Cohen. Toward the end of her talk, her son walked into the ancient Avrohom Avinu Synagogue. She remarked that the day before was his induction ceremony at the Kotel. Being a Friday, Bat Sheva had taken time off from her busy schedule, cooking and preparing Shabbat dinner for the many soldiers who are stationed in Chevron. Each week they offer a hot meal, with camaraderie, singing and talking. They make challah with the girl soldiers and offer support and programs for all.
At many other occasions, we witnessed the dati, religious right, acting with great sensitivity toward their fellow brethren. There was definitely a feeling of ahavat Yisroel, as mitzvot were shared.
We visited army bases and met the soldiers who protect the borders. Brave young men who help make sure Israel’s enemies are held in tow. A special unit for exceptional children is a new innovation, which only exists in Israel. These children are what are known as high-functioning special needs kids. They are assessed to see what strengths they possess and are assigned to do these tasks. They are loved and attended to as if they are the staff’s own children. A number of these soldiers spoke to us and expressed how proud they felt to be part of the army and able to help their country. It was a very moving experience to see how Israel is inclusive even in such a sensitive area.
Safed is a story all its own. Staying at the home of a family who made aliyah from Chicago and was part of the Jewish Community Center of Kansas City art festival was a special treat. Jodi Sugar is an artistic photographer who depicts scenes from Israel. Her Jewish calendar adorns many homes around the world. We walked the cobblestone streets around this holy town and visited artists and special places of interest.
Ascent, which began as an English speaking haven offering programs, Shabbatons and a youth hostel, is now a popular spot for both Americans and Israelis. It is the venue our children chose to celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of our granddaughter. The ambience there, overlooking the hilltop of the ancient Jewish cemetery where many famous and holy individuals who are part of our Jewish history are buried, is both physically and spiritually breathtaking. The Arizal’s mikvah and Ohel; Chana and her seven sons of the Hanukkah story; and so many more. Breslov, Chabad and many others all merge in this section of Safed.
We went to see the owner of the house which has the “Tree of Life” and heard the first-hand story of G-d’s protection of His children. A katushka rocket hit a Cedar of Lebanon tree, breaking off some of its branches while saving the lives of those in its path.
Miracles in Israel are a daily occurrence. Indeed we felt a strong sense of gratitude to G-d for watching over His children who are surrounded by hostile neighbors, and prayed that He keep all our dear soldiers safe. Overall, while in Israel, a strong feeling of unity, friendship and peace permeated all we saw.
As we enter the period of time known as “The Three Weeks” on the Jewish calendar, commemorating the destruction of the two holy Temples, caused in part by internal strife and division, we pray that by adding our ahavat Yisroel wherever we are, we can soon experience a complete and true peace inside and outside Israel, physically and spiritually.
Blumah Wineberg is the rebbitzen of Chabad House Center.
