Today is the 28 day of Iyar 5779 -June 2, 2019
Yerushalayim
How many of you realize and appreciate the great kindness HaShem did for all of us 52 years ago today?
Hint: How many of you have ever poured out your heart and drained your eyes of tears at the Kosel?
How many of you have caressed the 2000 year old stones with the same tenderness that you held your baby?
And how many of you have been spiritually lifted to heights you never knew existed when you davened at the Kosel?
Since I can guesstimate that the answer to the above questions will be a resounding YES to all of them for the overwhelming majority of my readers – then take a minute to remember the following.
When I was a boy and visited Eretz Yisroel, there was no Kosel to daven at.
There was no Torah learning going on in the Old City of Yerushalayim.
There was no Aish HaTorah, Rav Meir Schuster Z”L was not picking lost Jews off The Wall and the Old City of Yerushalayim was Judenrein!
That was until HaShem in His ultimate mercy and kindness – through his Holy emissaries who carried out His plan- the brave and holy soldiers of the IDF- had compassion on His people and restored us to the city which Dovid HaMelech built.
Today the 28 day of the month of Iyar in 1967- the world changed for every Jew on the face of planet Earth.
Can you imagine not having the Kosel to caress?
Can you imagine visiting Eretz Yisroel and not seeing the huge Mekomios HaTorah which are pulsating with limud HaTorah 24/7 in the Old City of Yerushalayim?
Yes, I know it’s hard to remember, however , indeed, that’s how it was until 52 years ago.
The other day a fellow came up to me and said, “Rabbi, you cant believe the kindness that HaShem did for me today!”
“Please tell me, what was it?” I asked.
“HaShem let me find a parking spot right in front of Kosher Konnection! And not only that-I experienced the direct intervention of HaShem!”
“And what was that?”
“Rabbi, I know you won’t believe me, however, I tell you it’s true; there was 11 minutes left in the meter so I saved 25 cents!! How’s that for Hashgacha Protis? I feel I should say Hallel with a Brocha to thank HaShem!”
“I appreciate your appreciation of seeing HaShem’s hand in your life. That is the correct Jewish approach.”
Indeed, seeing HaShem’s Hand in our lives is a basic and fundamental Jewish concept.
So, I ask you my beloved readers- do we dare thank HaShem for a parking spot and forget to thank Him for returning us closer to His palace?
I leave the answer up to you.
However, as I see my grandchildren playing, davening, learning and living in front of the same Shul -The Churva Shul- that their great-great-great-great-great-grandfather built- do I dare not pour out my heart in complete and unadulterated gratitude to He who controls the world?
Do I dare allow today to pass without saying “Thank you so much HaShem?”
No, I cannot!
I have my faults, however, such an ingrate I shall not be.
“Thank you HaShem for returning us closer and closer to YOUR ultimate and final palace.
Thank you HaShem for allowing me and every other Jew in the world to get closer to the Holy of Holies than we have been for two thousand years.
Thank you HaShem- I am humbled as I realize how grateful I am for all that YOU have done for YOUR people.
May I make a suggestion?
Take a moment TODAY, my dear friends and say thank you to the ONE who has bestowed HIS merciful kindness on all of us.
Yom Yerushalayim Sameach!