As a new Oleh living in the Holy city of Jerusalem, this week was my first time experiencing breaking news first hand. I stepped out of a wedding hall in the city of Bet Shemesh and that eerie code-red alarm sounded off. Chills ran down my spine and I ran for cover to the closest building entrance with my wife and son.
But I felt privileged. Privileged? Yes, I am a Jew and a proud one. And I am very connected to this land, based on a promise made by G-d to our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that this land would be an inheritance to them and their children forever. Therefore, I feel privileged to live in the land of our forefathers.
So, now in 2014 when Israel boasts over 6 million Jews from over 130 countries, I have to say that I feel it happening. I feel the hope of Moshiach in the air, he's at our doorstep and very soon we will reunite with all Jews from the world over. And all the nations of the world will rejoice in the name of the one G-d Hashem.
So, I don't get scared, and I don't buckle under these sirens.... Wow! I just came back from an alarm that went off in Jerusalem. While writing the above words, the alarm went off in the Holy City, and I ran with my daughter to a safe place. Yeah, that's what it is.
While this is all happening, the world is busy pointing fingers at the Jews, they forget the rivers of blood that are flowing in Arab lands by other Arabs. But it's the Jew who's guilty, they are guilty when they attack terrorists, and guilty when they're being attacked. Our King David, already spoke about the world powers who are condemning Israel at every opportunity. I will quote some lines of Tehillim (Psalms) 83, and you'll see what I mean.
- They hold crafty converse against Thy people, and take counsel against Thy treasured ones.
- They have said: 'Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.'
- For they have consulted together with one consent; against Thee do they make a covenant;
- The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab, and the Hagrites;
- Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
- Assyria also is joined with them; they have been an arm to the children of Lot. Selah
The words of our holy prophets are eternal and give us strength whenever we find ourselves in difficult times. So I'll sing the song of David ובאו לציון ברנה "And they will come to Zion with praise".
I am privileged indeed.